Adenocarcinoma Robotic RLL Lobectomy: Does age affect outcome?

Posted by bbtn @bbtn, May 16, 2023

Hello all,
I've been diagnosed with NSCLC adenocarcinoma. The nodule is approximately 2.5 cm I'm told. I'm scheduled for a right lower lobectomy next week on the 26th at Vanderbilt. I'm really getting crazy anxiety about this and would love some input from people who have had this procedure. I'm 64 and wondering if my age is going to affect the outcome.
Any advice is appreciated
Bunnie

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@bbtn

Hi Jeff
Glad you're doing better! Did you have robotic surgery or? A month is a long time in the hospital but hopefully you're on the upside now 🙂

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Yes I'm doing good now. I was pretty sick when I started Doctoren . Most people including myself thought I was going to die. My own fault for not going to Dr. For over 20 years. I'm doing good now.

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@debhol

Hi- I had robotic surgery as well but upper L lobe, stage 1b . Mine was 3 weeks ago and I am still having lots of pain . Surgeon says it’s nerve pain, Wondering how long your pain lasted?
Thanks! Glad you’re doing well .

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Yes, pain lasts a while. Mine was area below my right breast in front. It started to subside after a month or so. I switched from Tramadol to Tylenol after about a week. Are you still taking a heavy duty pain killer?

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@franciekid

Yes, pain lasts a while. Mine was area below my right breast in front. It started to subside after a month or so. I switched from Tramadol to Tylenol after about a week. Are you still taking a heavy duty pain killer?

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No , I stopped tramadol after a few days. Alternate Tylenol and Advil. This last week it seems to be slowly improving!

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@bbtn

Cornelius
Thats awesome advice. How long did you wait on a diagnosis and surgery? I lost like 5 lbs between the time they ordered my pet scan and when I received the results. The anxiety is the worst...but as my daughter said this is forward progress and I do want this cancer out of me! Did you have to have any chemo or treatment afterwards?

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Bunnie, thanks for reply, and nice reaction to my advice. Long story below, but short answer to your questions : about 8 weeks in between diagnosis and surgery, because of 3 chemo sessions in between. But only 17 days in between first visit with Oncologist and the day I received both my diagnosis as my treatment proposal. I did not have any chemo or treatment after the surgery. Only had a follow-up check with surgeon last week, will see Oncologist next week. Absolutely loved to read the words of your daughter, and yours as well… Tumors need to be told “Get out of here, this is MY body, not yours”… Take care, all the best, Wally. Long story : Unexpected X-ray raised suspicion on Nov 29th. Followed by 2nd (more detailed) X-ray, then CT Scan, later whole-body PET Scan. Slow so-called “linear system”, from 1 Doctor to another to another and from test to evaluation to referral to exam and so on… Holiday season did not help. 2 Pitch black months of uncertainty and anxiety. On Jan 4th, my all-time-life luckiest day, got in touch with a major cancer clinic, based on a multidisciplinary team system. Then water in the creek started to flow Niagara-fast. Appointment with Oncology Jan 9th. Evaluation and planning. Lab and EKG 1 day later. CT Thorax Jan 16th. Bronchoscopy (biopsy) Jan 17th. MRI scan 2 days later. Pulmonary testing Jan 25th. Team of all doctors concerned had a meeting on Jan 26th early am, came up with diagnosis and treatment plan. My “let’s go for it” only took a second, as I had built up 100 pct full confidence in all doctors concerned. Which is sooooo important. Port placement surgery Feb 1st. First chemo on February 6th. No 2 on the 27th, no 3 on March 20th. Surgery on April 26th. Not mentioning more than a dozen exams in between, including clearance of cardiology.

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Had the procedure on 4/11/23. Still recovering. Lyrica and Robaxin help with the nerve pain. Ask your dr.

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Hi Bunnie, i had my URL removed Mar 15. I'm 65. I don't think age matters as much as general health. Today I feel really good. My healing was incremental, I went back to work (desk job) 3 weeks after surgery and continued to improve every week. I focused on what I could control before and after surgery, walking, eating healthy, etc. Best wishes! Beth

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@balevine

Hi Bunnie, i had my URL removed Mar 15. I'm 65. I don't think age matters as much as general health. Today I feel really good. My healing was incremental, I went back to work (desk job) 3 weeks after surgery and continued to improve every week. I focused on what I could control before and after surgery, walking, eating healthy, etc. Best wishes! Beth

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Thanks Beth! Did you also have Robotic surgery? Glad to hear that your recovering well!

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@bbtn

Thanks Beth! Did you also have Robotic surgery? Glad to hear that your recovering well!

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Yes I did have robotic. Please let me know how your surgery goes. Best wishes!

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@debhol

Hi- I had robotic surgery as well but upper L lobe, stage 1b . Mine was 3 weeks ago and I am still having lots of pain . Surgeon says it’s nerve pain, Wondering how long your pain lasted?
Thanks! Glad you’re doing well .

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Hello, I'm 66, just had a bronchoscopy with biopsy; couldn't get much tissue bc of location. Thoracic surgeon recc upper left lobectomy (was hoping for a resection). Haven't see oncologist yet. Says I'll lose 15% of my capacity but as of now lung function is fine. I have other nodules but not growing. Feel like a load of bricks have hit me. Wondering how long it will take to recoup after reading this bc Dr said I could prob go home after 1-2 days and should do fine.

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@cmcguire10

Hi- I had an upper left lobe segmentectomy for my 1.5 cm Adenocarcinoma, and a small wedge from my lingula which tested to be a granuloma. I had it on March 24th. Also had both breast implants explanted at the same surgery. I am only 58, but I did fine. I have little twinges of a pain here and there still but yes, still an ache in the rib area where my bra goes around. I was on Lyrica for about 2 weeks after surgery and Tramadol, an opioid, that I stopped after a week and a half. Also Robaxin, for muscle spasms. If I have any pains I take either extra strength Tylenol or Ibuprofen. I have the regular 200’s but I also have the 800mg. Those work really well. I was so scared before my surgery, but the best advice I got from this site and the doctors was to Walk walk walk. Good Luck to you! It will be okay.❤️

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Oh my!!!! yesterday thoracic surgeon told me needed upper left lobectomy and I've been scheduled for breast explants due to silicon under muscle rupture. HOW did you get them to do both at the same time???

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