Adenocarcinoma Robotic RLL Lobectomy: Does age affect outcome?

I would have to agree with walk all you can. I had my two lower lobes of my right lung removed. I was about dead when I went to Dr. They made a 6 to 8 incision on my back, and of course smaller ones for chest tubes. So I was in the hospital about one month. But I left with no narcotics. Worked hard at Getting better. Doing good now. WALK

Bunnie, my story was very similar to yours. NSCLC adenocarcinoma with a tumor of 2.5 to 2.0 cm. I had 3 one-day sessions of chemo and immunotherapy, 3 weeks apart. Robotic surgery 4 weeks later. Removed the middle lobe of my right lung. Pathology could not examine the tumor, as found completely destroyed by chemo. Also, of 37 lymph nodes annihilated by robot, or sampled, pathology found no sign of cancer. Quick recovery of surgery, only spent 2 nights in hospital with good pain control. 3 Weeks later now, still recovering with mild pain medication. My 4 incisions are healing nicely. The area around the ribs is still sensitive to the touch, or when getting in or out of a car. I was told this is normal, related to both muscle pain as nerve pain because of handling of robotic instruments in between ribs. Could take some more weeks to completely heal. I am 7 years older than you, I do not think age itself would affect the outcome, being healthy is most important I guess. More advice : try to walk around a lot, especially the first week. I took my first short walk with a nurse only 6 hours after waking up from surgery. Also, when told to limit the weight in your hand at the surgery side to -say -8- pounds, please do stick to it…I had more, and regretted…Always listen to your body : sleep when it makes you yawn, rest when it says you feel tired. Most important : ask a lot of questions to your doctors, expect serious and honest answers, build up confidence. I had terrible anxiety in the early 6 weeks. Up to the moment that I received my diagnosis, and the proposal for the treatment. Decided at the spot. First chemo 1 week later. For me, that was the moment that most uncertainty vanished. As did most anxiety. Both are very related. Just my experience. Hope any of this helps. Good luck.

Hi Deb, I had the same surgery as you at the end of October. The nerve pain lasted a few months for me but was minimized by lidocaine patches and Lyrica. By February, the nerve pain was gone. I was diligent in walking four times a day for 15-20 minutes and am convinced that the walking facilitated my recovery. Best of luck!

Just also realize that all of us are different and you may have a different recovery period or pains. You may even feel down a little afterward. That is most of the time when your weaning off the medications, but I think it’s also just because the realization sets in of what was in our body and then thinking “what’s next?” But don’t stay in that too long! You have to remain positive and eat healthy and move around as much as possible.

Thats exactly the mindset I need to get to...thank you! You sound like you're as busy as I am so I will keep the walking routine added as I work back into my regular activities after surgery.

I did have Tramadol for pain which I only needed for a few days. DO TAKE WHAT THEY GIVE YOU BEFORE THE PAIN STARTS. Your block will mean you feel great when you first get home, so it’s important to take your painkiller BEFORE the pain starts. Walk as soon as you can, even if it’s only around the house.

I honestly just had to start thinking and believing that:“This is what my surgeon says is the best thing for me and getting the cancer out.” There is No doubt that it’s scary! But once I put that in my mind, I just wanted it done. As soon as I woke up in my room, I asked when I could get up and walk. That is THE BEST thing you can do for your body. It helps get anesthesia out, it helps blood circulate to help prevent blood clots and it just makes you feel better because you are moving. I had the RAT surgery as well. One incision under the left breast/rib cage and three in the back. Three incisions about an inch long and one about 2 inches. Oh and the chest tube hole. All healed now, but like I mentioned, along the bra line is tender but very very manageable. Don’t even need any type of pain meds. I walk at least a mile every night and want to do a lot more but I am back to working full time and still have a family at home that I make dinner for and laundry, etc. Just don’t feel like sitting will be good for you because it’s not! Rest yea but then get back to moving. It also helps you remain positive!

Omg I love your positivity! I needed that! And that conversation could have been my husband and I cause face it...you guys are horrible at being sick 🤣

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!

Hi Matthew
Yes mine will be rats as well. My surgeon suggested walking and more walking up till the surgery so I've been pounding the pavement through my neighborhood. I keep flip flopping between looking forward to getting this out of my lung and being really scared cause of well surgery. Its good to see so many people have had the same and are up and living their lives soon after though!