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

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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@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.

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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.

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@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.

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

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@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.

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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?

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@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?

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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

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.

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