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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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dezines | @dezines | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @vic83 "Where did you have your procedure done and when is your follow-up appointment? You should call..." + (show)
@vic83

Where did you have your procedure done and when is your follow-up appointment? You should call your doctor and tell them about it. It can interfere with wound closure. I was given an antibiotic in case mine had an infectious component. They need to be drained sometimes.

Just saw your original post. I would not wear anything on it without running it by surgeon and definitely no beach until healed. You don't need an infection.

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@vic83
Follow up is in 6 mos. after getting a cat scan. Done in North NJ. After, the surgery about 2 weeks later they sent me in for another procedure called a therocentisis, which was to drain more fluid (since this was all done on my back) I had no idea this was a different area altogether, it was closer to my spine not where the lump was. It's done firs with lidocatine to numb the area and I imagine a syringe to remove fluid. Yet, the swelling that I had stayed the same. I had a nurse practitioner for the first 4 weeks and my wounds were all healing well.
As for an infection, that may be from my spouse now who hasn't stopped coughing for 6 days. Praying my wounds are okay and that according to my surgeon (after I had to send photos), they expect it may take awhile to go down, as it should, most likely, be re-absorbed by my body. Hopefully, that is the case. Thank you for sharing your own experience.
Have a question to anyone here: Has anyone had numbness or tingling or both in hands? Seems to be happening every day especially to right hand, surgery was on right side.

REPLY
vic83 | @vic83 | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @dezines "In reply to @vic83, Glad I read your post regarding the name for the lump I..." + (show)
@dezines

In reply to @vic83, Glad I read your post regarding the name for the lump I have. Went to view photos and mine was way more swollen than the ones in photo; yet in the same area. This seroma, had leaked for 4 straight hours (without anyone giving me a heads up, that this could happen and not knowing the name for it until just now. I was hoping that being soaked with fluid for that long would have reduced the swelling; but not so much. I was reading that using some type of compression garment could reduce the size of this; although, not sure i could handle that pain right now! I was wondering if I could put an Ace bandage and wrap that around it? At least I could control how much pressure I can handle.
Not sure why my font has changed on this site, anyone know?

Jump to this post

Where did you have your procedure done and when is your follow-up appointment? You should call your doctor and tell them about it. It can interfere with wound closure. I was given an antibiotic in case mine had an infectious component. They need to be drained sometimes.

Just saw your original post. I would not wear anything on it without running it by surgeon and definitely no beach until healed. You don't need an infection.

REPLY
1 reply
dezines | @dezines | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @vic83 "I had my second VAT five weeks ago. How true about the bra!!!! It is going..." + (show)
@vic83

I had my second VAT five weeks ago. How true about the bra!!!! It is going to be awhile!!! Like Women's lib! I will have my incisions checked by Primary Doc tomorrow and then a long hot bath!
I have significant nerve pain still, everything sore and can't touch breast, and pain also goes below last rib sometimes. I have a lump on rib also, thought to be a seroma. Where is your pain?
I too am on gabapentin and use Salonpas cream. My Cardiologist doesn't want me taking Advil (not recommended for people with heart issues), and am trying not to take Tylenol long term, so suffer through.

Jump to this post

In reply to @vic83, Glad I read your post regarding the name for the lump I have. Went to view photos and mine was way more swollen than the ones in photo; yet in the same area. This seroma, had leaked for 4 straight hours (without anyone giving me a heads up, that this could happen and not knowing the name for it until just now. I was hoping that being soaked with fluid for that long would have reduced the swelling; but not so much. I was reading that using some type of compression garment could reduce the size of this; although, not sure i could handle that pain right now! I was wondering if I could put an Ace bandage and wrap that around it? At least I could control how much pressure I can handle.
Not sure why my font has changed on this site, anyone know?

REPLY
1 reply
debhol | @debhol | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @vic83 "I had my second VAT five weeks ago. How true about the bra!!!! It is going..." + (show)
@vic83

I had my second VAT five weeks ago. How true about the bra!!!! It is going to be awhile!!! Like Women's lib! I will have my incisions checked by Primary Doc tomorrow and then a long hot bath!
I have significant nerve pain still, everything sore and can't touch breast, and pain also goes below last rib sometimes. I have a lump on rib also, thought to be a seroma. Where is your pain?
I too am on gabapentin and use Salonpas cream. My Cardiologist doesn't want me taking Advil (not recommended for people with heart issues), and am trying not to take Tylenol long term, so suffer through.

Jump to this post

My pain is in same area. I’m trying not to use Advil either! Slowly getting better though!

REPLY
vic83 | @vic83 | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @debhol "My robotic lobectomy was 8 weeks ago. While it has slowly improved, I still have some..." + (show)
@debhol

My robotic lobectomy was 8 weeks ago. While it has slowly improved, I still have some nerve pain. It is aggravated by lifting or doing a lot. I take gabepentin and Tylenol or Advil. Also used aspercreme roll on. Bra still uncomfortable! I did buy a few bigger stretch ones which help. Check with your Doctor about swimming. Beach sounds great.

Jump to this post

I had my second VAT five weeks ago. How true about the bra!!!! It is going to be awhile!!! Like Women's lib! I will have my incisions checked by Primary Doc tomorrow and then a long hot bath!
I have significant nerve pain still, everything sore and can't touch breast, and pain also goes below last rib sometimes. I have a lump on rib also, thought to be a seroma. Where is your pain?
I too am on gabapentin and use Salonpas cream. My Cardiologist doesn't want me taking Advil (not recommended for people with heart issues), and am trying not to take Tylenol long term, so suffer through.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @dezines "Thank you Lisa, for reaching out to me. My husband (also my care giver) has been..." + (show)
@dezines

Thank you Lisa, for reaching out to me. My husband (also my care giver) has been coughing for the past few days and he finally went to the ER today, after trying to get him to see his Doctor, I ended up being the care giver and yesterday I had a sore throat. Once his coughing began he slept in another room but he would be downstairs with me and touching remotes, etc. My last visit with my PT nurse was yesterday and she took his temperature and it was a little above 101 degrees. At that point she told me to also wear a mask. Something I hadn't done as it's difficult for me to breathe with it. He just returned from the ER and was diagnosed with Viral Bronchitis not sure yet what prescriptions they gave him. Besides concerns for him, I now am wondering how this could impact me? How long will he be contagious? I imagine due to his illness there won't be any trips. We'll wait and see.
I really appreciate your empathy, during these trying times. Hope to hear back regarding my concerns. Thank you.

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@dezines, you have so much on your hands! I hope your husband is starting to feel better. It will be harder for you to heal if you aren’t able to rest. I’m hoping for easier days ahead for you.

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dianemb | @dianemb | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @flusshund "RATS is the best. I had four small incisions and almost can't find one of them..." + (show)
@flusshund

RATS is the best. I had four small incisions and almost can't find one of them anymore. As to the surgery, at least you're a woman. My wife and I had a consultation with my surgeon before the surgery. At one point, he turned to my wife and told her to be prepared because I would be depressed after the surgery for three reasons,
1. He's young. He said most people requiring this surgery were 20 years older.
2. He's a man. And we men don't emotionally handle such things as you women (talking to my wife), and
3. He's an engineer, and they tend to overthink things.
At that point, I replied, "Wheen, have I eeeever overthought anything?" Then we all had a good laugh, which my wife and I kinda needed about then.

You may have guessed I'm a pretty positive person, but I still had a bit of anxiety before. Sounds like you're doing fine and you're right. It'll be good to get rid of that thing. Plus, they'll be able to get a good look at it and definitively tell you what type of cancer you have which will determine future treatments. I have the EGFR mutation, so I take a small pill once a day. That's it!

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I wish I could have had surgery. My NSC lung cancer is too prevalent in my lungs and my only option is chemotherapy and immunotherapy and probably for the rest of my days. Fortunately Mayo took me on as a patient and I’ve been in one clinical trial and will probably be in another this summer. Your oncologist’s words made me chuckle. He sounds really thoughtful. Bless you with continued good health.

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thieschafer | @thieschafer | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @dezines "to: @thieschafer Hi and thank you for letting me know that it may take that long..." + (show)
@dezines

to: @thieschafer
Hi and thank you for letting me know that it may take that long to heal. My regular doctor was unavailable to see last week and coming week she is away, and her schedule is full until mid July. Apparently, I made need a root canal and I also have a second appointment for another colonoscopy, one done a few weeks prior to my lobectomy, could only remove 2 1/2 pre-cancerous polyps; so that other half or whatever they hadn't got out is going to be hopefully removed. Just so many things are overwhelming right now. Spouse came down with Viral Bronchitis and went to ER early this morning and spent most of the day there. Worrisome for both him and myself, as I need to mask when around him. Hence he sleeps in another room now. But we are together mostly in our family room. Just too many health related problems to deal with at one time as I am trying to heal from this lobectomy.

Jump to this post

Sounds like you are having a rough time. Make the appointment for mid-July and find other ways to manage pain. It never rains but it pours. Best of luck with the colonoscopy and the root canal will be over in half an hour. I had one of those last year; not fun. Hoping things get better soon.

REPLY
dezines | @dezines | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @thieschafer "I am sorry to hear about your continued pain. Instead of going back to the surgeon..." + (show)
@thieschafer

I am sorry to hear about your continued pain. Instead of going back to the surgeon you might try seeing your regular doctor; sometimes they can help with pain issues. Give yourself some time to heal. I am now 6 months past my robotic surgery; I am 78. Only recently have I begun to feel normal.

Jump to this post

to: @thieschafer
Hi and thank you for letting me know that it may take that long to heal. My regular doctor was unavailable to see last week and coming week she is away, and her schedule is full until mid July. Apparently, I made need a root canal and I also have a second appointment for another colonoscopy, one done a few weeks prior to my lobectomy, could only remove 2 1/2 pre-cancerous polyps; so that other half or whatever they hadn't got out is going to be hopefully removed. Just so many things are overwhelming right now. Spouse came down with Viral Bronchitis and went to ER early this morning and spent most of the day there. Worrisome for both him and myself, as I need to mask when around him. Hence he sleeps in another room now. But we are together mostly in our family room. Just too many health related problems to deal with at one time as I am trying to heal from this lobectomy.

REPLY
1 reply
dezines | @dezines | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @debhol "My robotic lobectomy was 8 weeks ago. While it has slowly improved, I still have some..." + (show)
@debhol

My robotic lobectomy was 8 weeks ago. While it has slowly improved, I still have some nerve pain. It is aggravated by lifting or doing a lot. I take gabepentin and Tylenol or Advil. Also used aspercreme roll on. Bra still uncomfortable! I did buy a few bigger stretch ones which help. Check with your Doctor about swimming. Beach sounds great.

Jump to this post

to @debhol
Thank you for sharing we seem to be in the same boat as far as when we had our lobectomy and doing anything like bending or trying to clean my home I can only last so long and the pain is so bad I have to decide if it's worth it. Yet, dust is not a friend when you are trying to heal from this. I have a fairly large home and have never had anyone clean for me; nor cook, I was proud of how clean it had been up until about a year ago when I began to let things get out of control, as far as not putting things away. My husband tried to help me clean just my office and he was winded before me. Turns out he ended up in ER today for viral bronchitis. Although, that day we didn't realize he was ill. As for bras I also purchased ones that you pull up all elastic but large enough not to directly touch my wounds (especially one that is still swollen). However, can't wait to take them off. As for beach or short vacation, it may not happen now that my husband has become ill. He is coughing so hard and we are waiting for the meds to kick in and hoping in a few days he may get some relief.

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