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Questions I should ask before surgery for Lung NETs?
I’m scheduled for a zoom call with a nurse Jan 8 in preparation for robotic surgery of a 13mm typical neuroendocrine carcinoid. I prefer to be well informed but not clear on what to ask. The dr said surgery would be about 3 hours, will probably remove 10% of the left lung. Recovery usually is two days at Mayo Jax and then discharged, would need help at home. I live alone, my son lives in another state and can only come for a couple of days. I have found a caregiver who can stay with me. I’m 77. I go,to the Y and exercise 4-5 days a week, walk an inside track 30 minutes and then 30 minutes with exercise equipment.
I’m stocking up on some frozen food items, have a grocery delivery service if needed. Do you think the caregiver needs to stay with me 24/7 or just during the day? I think I asked a similar question in a group here and one called LungNets not connected to Mayo Connect. Any tips appreciated.
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Thanks for the tips about arranging the fridge and groceries. Good tip.
Had right upper lobe removed. Mayo told me I needed someone home with me for a week.
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2 ReactionsDid they stay overnight or just days?
Great point. My drainage was unusual - my doc thinks the resident took out a stitch when he removed it. But before
I was discharged I had to ask for case mgr and Arrange for home health to come change my bandage daily for a few days. It was hard to reach and I literally couldn’t do it when the wound was so weepy.
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2 ReactionsThanks, adding a question about possible home health care visits.
Don’t know your age, but if you’re on Medicare be prepared to Get testy 🙂
I have Medicare and Plan F supplement ( no longer available to new enrollees). Have already checked and it was no for in home caregiving, recommended rehab facilities if needed. Fortunately, that will not be necessary, but wouldn’t mind having a nurse drop by for a checkup if needed.
Be sure to let your surgical team know of any issues you have after surgery,,,,,,,,
When I was discharged from Mayo Rochester, in both surgeries, a case worker came by to ask about my conditions at home. Since for each surgery I had needed night oxygen, they arranged for the oxygen to be delivered to my home the same day...that was efficient.
I participated in a Mayo home monitoring program the summer of 2022 - it was my second case of Covid, and I could not take Paxlovid because I was taking Plavix. I went to Mayo for the monoclonal treatment for Covid. They offered me free participation in a home monitoring program with the Covid treatment. They gave me items to take blood pressure, temperature, etc. and the data would transmit back to them over a cell phone they also gave me. A nurse would monitor my results. I thought that it would be good if they had such a monitoring program for surgery patients. One would feel a little safer. My first surgery I was discharged on New Year's Eve and my nightmare was having to go to an emergency room on New Year's Eve! I would ask what happened to that monitoring trial.
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2 ReactionsI literally couldn’t change the big thick pad I had to tape onto the wound where the chest tube had been - it was like a lawn sprinkler just gushing. And it was awkward to even reach. So I had to have someone come change that and monitor it for infection. I told the head nurse and case manager I’d be glad to just stay in the hospital if they couldn’t get an ok for me to have some home health. They got the ok. They came every morning, changed my bandage and took vitals. Told me to use the breathing exercise toy and left 🙂
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