after surgery question

crackers12 · Regular Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

Hi,
My friend has had her top lobe on the left side removed just 5 days ago. they let her come with me today. She says that she would have never had this surgery if she had known that she wouldn't be able to breath. She is not liking that she is struggling with getting air. Not real bad but enough that she doesn't want to live like this. Is this something that will get better. Like I said she just had her lung surgery 5 days ago.
She is 68 years old and a little bit over weight.
I appreciate hearing about your experiences with how you felt right after surgery.
Thank you.

karibrenmom · Regular Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 36

My mom had a wedge taken from her lung and was told by her Dr that the remaining lung will eventually fill the space. My mom had to come home on oxygen. She also has emphysema and her Dr said it was possible in the long run that she might breath better - because of the emphysema. I'm not sure if it is true for having a lobe removed.
_________________
My mom was diagnosed with NSCLC Squamous Carcinoma 10/23/2007. Wedge resection 11/20/2007. Final pathology showed poorly differiniated large cell carcinomawith invasion of visceral pluera, T2NxM0/stage 1B. 12/14/2007. No chemo elected.

crackers12 · Regular Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

My friend also has emphysema. So are you saying that your mom's doctor said that because of the emphysema she would breath better.??

The doctor also told my friend that the other lung would fill out.
That is amazing huh?

Anyway my friend had oxygen the first 4 days in the hospital. She wasn't sent home with it though.
I would think that in a couple of weeks my friend would breath better, but I don't know anything about this stuff. I will call her doctor on Monday. I was just trying to get a little info from other surgery patients.
Thanks for your post!

karibrenmom · Regular Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 36

I forget how he explained it but it had something with the lung capacity and what emphysema does to the lungs. Alot of help aren't I? Ok, I found this in an article "Surgically removing part of the lungs improves the day-to-day functioning and quality of life of [i][b]some people suffering from the lung disease emphysema[/b][/i] and may even prolong their lives." They call in lung reduction surgery when it is done for emphysema. I guess it is no gurantee but it is a possible good side effect??
_________________
My mom was diagnosed with NSCLC Squamous Carcinoma 10/23/2007. Wedge resection 11/20/2007. Final pathology showed poorly differiniated large cell carcinomawith invasion of visceral pluera, T2NxM0/stage 1B. 12/14/2007. No chemo elected.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1135

Crackers,

Sorry to hear about your friend's surgery. I think it does take plenty of time to build up lung function after a lobe is removed. Some people can have respiratory therapy done to increase their lung function after recovery. I don't know what stage your friend is, but there may be chemo/radiation in the future too. Your friend will adjust --- just give it time. I know how darn frustrating this is for the patient. My husband only had a wedge section for diagnosis purposes, but his lung capacity was very bad as he had heavy tumor burden in both lungs. He also had light emphysema issues and was on oxygen 24/7 the whole time he had cancer. He really hated the shortness of breath (SOB).

Best wishes for better days.
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 Mar 30, 2008 1:45 am Post subject: Re: after surgery question

[quote="crackers12"]Hi,
Like I said she just had her lung surgery 5 days ago.
She is 68 years old and a little bit over weight.[/quote]

Hi Crackers12; I like your users name. Wish I had thought of that. That is how I feel dealing with my husband's cancer.

I do know something about COPD aka emphysema and surgeries on lungs. I think the bottom line right now is to settle your friend down and give it time. If she was familiar with her emphysema beore surgery, she should know it would take time. If not, tell her. Stress is not good for breathing. Hopefully she knows how to PLB (purse lip breath).

I know a woman who had surgery with unexpected problems and 5 days turned into almost 2 months in hospital and almost dying. Your friend can be thankful that didn't happen. This lady got out of hospital about Xmas and recently walked I think her first mile. She had COPD to start and was to lose another 20% of her lung function at the surgery.

If your friend wants to live and this takes care of the cancer then she can learn what to do. It is late and I was looking in and going to bed. You could PM me if you would like more information on emphysema. I have many links. I am on and off the Internet currently and so be patient if I don't get right back.

I have yet to introduce myself to the forum. Will make that my next Internet stop. Best of luck with your friend. Try to get her into a positive mode.

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