Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Hi again @loriwt, I'm glad you found us. There are certainly other members here with gene mutated cancers; EGFR, ALK. Many gene mutation lung patients are found at later stages. Were you diagnosed at a late stage? Did you go straight to the retevmo, or did you have other treatments/surgery?

Hello! I'm Lori and I was diagnosed with NSCLC RET+ in June 2022 and started targeted therapy (Retevmo) in July 2022. Anyone else RET+ and on Retevmo or similar?

Thank you for the links. What is the pillow used for?

Jessica, you got some helpful responses from @pb50 and @spikeb1. You may also appreciate the tips shared in this related discussion:

- Robotic Lobectomy: What can I expect? What is recovery like https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hello-from-the-bluegrass-state/

At Mayo Clinic, they give lung surgery patients lung pillows that are really helpful. Micheal, @corgimenow's husband is showing off his pillow post surgery here:

- My husband had lobectomy surgery: Mayo was wonderful! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-was-wonderful/

I am having surgery in Jan 2024 for a 13 mm typical neuroendocrine tumor. Dr. said will probably remove 10% of left lung. I’m female, 77, walk 30 minutes minimum at the Y on indoor track 5x a week, do another 30 minutes on rowing or elliptical. I was told it will be robotic and probably discharged two days after surgery. I live alone and am considering employing a caregiver. I understand we are all different, but am interested in a guesstimate of how many days I may need someone to stay with me.

I went home on day 5. I had prepared for food that I could open and manage with one hand because I (erroneously) assumed I would have pain in the arm on that side - but no such issue.

I had prepared some meals and froze them and bought frozen entrees I enjoy and squeeze peanut butter and ice cream
And having meals like egg cups and chicken pie etc already made was helpful. Also I would have band aids and maybe a few sterile bandages and tape for your incision.
Oh. You may ooze out of the incision. Put old sheets on your bed before you go, and a towel under the sheet where you will lie - because that fluid will stain linens and your mattress cover. Ditto old pajamas.

If your shower has a handheld attachment that makes it easier to avoid the wound when shampooing, etc. get a baseball cap or bandana because your hair will be a fright for a while. 🙂

On balance, I didn’t really have an issue caring for myself.

Best of luck!!

I am having surgery in Jan 2024 for a 13 mm typical neuroendocrine tumor. Dr. said will probably remove 10% of left lung. I’m female, 77, walk 30 minutes minimum at the Y on indoor track 5x a week, do another 30 minutes on rowing or elliptical. I was told it will be robotic and probably discharged two days after surgery. I live alone and am considering employing a caregiver. I understand we are all different, but am interested in a guesstimate of how many days I may need someone to stay with me.

Really appreciate sharing your story. How many days were you in the hospital? Did you prepare your own meals when you went home? My dr said I would need someone with me after discharge, but I didn’t think to ask how many days. Thought it might have something to do with taking painkillers.