Surgery and Date is set

maryaz · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject: Surgery and Date is set

The date of my husband's Lung surgery will be Friday, May 16th. The plan is to remove tumor and probably the right lower lobe and maybe part of middle lobe, and possibly lymph nodes.. Will determine when can see it. He will have a sizeable incision, not VATS.

If all goes well, will be 7 to 10 days in the hospital, possibly 5 to 6. Two to three months recovery. First six weeks not lift anything over 10 lbs. Has to do with healing and cutting of ribs. May be on oxygen for while and maybe not. Surgeon was not too concerned as Joe's FEV1 (lung function) was 81% before inhaler and 87% after. He can drive when done with OTC pain meds.

This is not something to look forward to and he sure is not. If all goes well, then this is the best outcome he could have for his diagnosis. He is feeling better each day after such a difficult and sick time during his chemo and radiation. Feeling almost back to normal really makes it hard to go head on into surgery.

Thanks for the help offered us during this difficult time. I am sure I am not thru asking questions. Anyone feels a need to share anything, please do, I will be reading. Thanks again.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

brainman · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Surgery and Date is set

Mary, I am glad that they have finally set a date for Joe's surgery. Waiting can be so very hard.

His recovery time and limitations during recovery are quite normal for anyone having any type of chest surgery. Will they go in from the front, side, or back? I do not know if this makes any difference in his recovery.

I do hope all goes well and Joe will be in my thoughts and prayers... especially on May 16.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
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Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 822

Mary,

So glad to hear the big date is firm. Naturally there is a lot of apprehension over surgery, that's to be expected. Knowing you are not going to feel well becomes part of the lung cancer game, whether it's surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. It sucks, but remember that surgery is one of the better hopes for a cure and he's lucky to be in this position. I know, doesn't feel very lucky, does it? Rolling Eyes

Keep us posted and you'll both be in my thoughts. Feel free to write and let your worries fly if you need to. We're here.

PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

maryaz · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 12:55 am Post subject: Re: Surgery and Date is set

Thank you both for your responses. We do feel lucky. We both know that. We are grateful. Like pbj said you get that anxiety knowing what is coming.

He is really feeling pretty good now. We are getting more back to normal. Won't last long tho. Smile

Thanks again.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 822

Mary,

Thinking of you and your husband as his surgery date approaches.

PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

maryaz · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject: Re: Surgery and Date is set

pbj11; Thanks for the post. I was going to come over tonight and post anyway and confirm the surgery. He goes to hospital 7:30 AM Friday and surgery about 10 AM.

We are both a little nervous but actually considering we are doing well. He has recovered well from the treatments. For the bad experiences and the sickness he endured, he is appearing almost normal now. So sad to walk into the hospital feeling well and knowing you soon won't for several days. We are very thankful for where he is at and being able to have the surgery since it is a good thing.

We sort of laugh about the hair tho. When he started to get a strange feeling on his head. Someone shared they had similar when their hair had come out. This was when he discovered he could pull some of his hair out. He keeps it short normally. He let it all go until today and he went and got what was left cut off. He was getting by where people just thought his hair thinned. Wouldn't have been for long. See, sometimes delayed reaction. Smile

I will post as to how he is doing. May not be until Saturday. If anyone wants to share what to expect after surgery, please do. That question is 'if all goes well'. We are aware there will be pain and pain meds. I thought they get them up and walking soon.

Thanks again.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

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