My suggestions are very similar to the other comments. One thing I did to help was to make sure that all items that I normally reach for such as milk, cream, etc. that weighs more than a gallon of milk were placed at a level so that I did not have to reach up for them. I did this in my refrigerator and throughout the house. My instructions were not to lift anything more than a gallon of milk. I started walking in the hospital day one. The nurses gave me a hard time, in a good way, because they did not normally see the patients actually walking while in the hospital. I had one issue that you might want to watch for. I was released after 2 nights in the hospital. There was no draining from my lungs at that time and everything looked great. A week later I noticed my left arm swelling which was on the same side where my left lower lung lobe was removed. I also noticed a crunchy sound and feeling in my arm, my shoulder and above my rib cage. Went to emergency room as told and they found oxygen in these areas and immediately put in a new drain tube. Stayed another 2 nights and went home. Did not experience this again. Just be prepared for very painful rib cage and swelling or bloating in that area. I was not informed that this might happen. In my case the pain got unbearable and I had no pain meds due to a backlog nation wide. I could not breath, talk, turn or do anything without the intense pain and I normally deal with pain with no problems. Another visit to emergency room where I was given two different pain meds before the pain decreased to the point I could stand it. My surgery was July 20 and I still have some pain and swelling today. I am just thankful I am cancer free now. Good luck.

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