Lung nodule Ablation. What is this?

@martin77
Oh no! I was also in increasing pain because I had a partially collapsed lung. Is that why you’re in pain? Or maybe post-ablation inflammation? Or is the cause a mystery?

@martin77
Martin, is all the pain in your lung or is part from the position on the CT table? Were you on your stomach for the procedure? Did the face donut help? Did your neck suffer? How many times did you go into the CT scanner and how long did the procedure take? I’ll likely have two more lung tumor ablations in 2026 so I’m curious as to what others experience and what is typical. Thank for any info. Sorry you’re hurting.

@californiazebra
On my stomach for the first one and then turned over for the second but don't remember them doing that, nor the number of times i was in the scanner. It took 2 hours overall.
No doughnut was allowed so i rested my neck on a pillow. Luckily no issues as I've had physio recently to improve flexibility and now do daily exercises.
I think i must have been very unlucky to have this serious side effect which looks like it is now turning into an infection. Hopefully antibios will take care of that. Coughing up blood is another side effect but i gather that is normal. I don't suppose the lung likes having a hot probe stuck into it!
Take care.

@californiazebra
Yes i think the pain was related only to the procedure. Everything was fine until i got home and then in the middle of the night all hell let loose! It was excruciating and so i got through lots of morphine.

@martin77
Thank you for the information. It sounds like you were sedated if you don’t remember everything. I’m so sorry you have an infection. That definitely shouldn’t have happened. I did not cough up blood after my ablation. I hope you heal quickly and don’t have any complications with the next procedure.

@martin77
Are you okay? Has the infection cleared up? Pain gone? Home from the hospital? So sorry you had complications.

@californiazebra
Thanks for asking. I was discharged eventually last Saturday after 9 days in hospital. I'm now in a virtual ward at home reporting to a nurse twice daily with BP readings etc. Better than being stuck in hospital.
The infection was pneumonia and at long last things seem to be turning a corner - CRP level down to 117 two days ago and hopefully. still falling. Normally 0 - 9!
Xray today shows a better picture but still some way to go. Seeing Doc tomorrow to discuss. Previous Xrays looked like a demolition site.
I'm so glad you escaped such a horrendous experience. Hopefully the two spots were zapped successfully but i still have two in the lh lung that need doing and so a discussion with the medics is next on the agenda.
All best and thanks for your support. Hope all is good with you.

@martin77
In the hospital 9 days and still recovering? That’s terrible!!! I’m so sorry you’ve been going through that! Originally, I thought your team must have made an error, but AI just gave me a nice summary of why infection would happen just from trauma to the area, the dead tissue created attracting bacteria, etc. No fun for you to know you need to do it again.

Here I thought I was unlucky with the partially collapsed lung after my lung tumor ablation. I’ll likely need 2 more tumors ablated in my other lung in the spring. Holding off to reevaluate in February. And that lung has some scarring from radiation for breast cancer which is listed as an added risk for infection. Oh boy. Now I’m worried about more ablations. Prayers for your continued healing and that we are both complication free next time.

@californiazebra
Your California climate might stand you in good stead! Here in the UK I walked 50 miles over 5 days in the Cotswold Hills in very wet and windy conditions just over 3 weeks ago, caught a nasty cold from a fellow walker and was laid low until 2 October (just in time for an Oasis concert that evening!). Then a 20 mile bike ride on the Monday and a 6 mile walk on the Wednesday, the day before my procedure, when I felt fine. But in hindsight I wonder if there might have been traces of infection left from the cold?
I will also take some time to consider the next steps. The two spots in my lh lung are growing slowly and there's the forthcoming ski season to consider!
Your experience gives me encouragement to have another go at the right time and I hope your next bout goes as well as before, when you reach that stage.
Best wishes
Martin

@martin77
Wow, good for you on all the exercise! I’m impressed. What you’re saying about the possible reason behind the infection makes sense and gives us both hope for a perfect outcome next time. Yes, enjoy your ski season! I delay procedures as much as is safely possible. My nodules are very slow growing as well but two are blocking an airway. My two NETs specialists are disagreeing about the ablation plan to unblock so we’re in monitoring mode still. Fine by me! Definitely keep enjoying your life.

I always tell everyone that my life is great in between all the medical stuff. True. Lots of fun stuff. I do enjoy my long daily nature walks in mostly sunny Southern California. My dogs are gone now but for years I had a huge 6 foot adult trike with a big basket in back and my two dogs sat side-by-side like angels as we took long rides together. 70 pound trike, 50 pounds of dogs, and me all on a one gear beach cruiser going up and down hills. Good workout! They loved it! If you want to generate a lot of smiles on passers-by that is the way to go! Best to you. 😊