having lobectomy tommarow

ddevil41 · New User Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

hello all

I was diagnosed with nsclc early in june 2009. after coughing up blood one morning I got an appointment with my doctor that afternoon. he sent me for an xray and called me the next day to tell me I had a dense area on my left lung. had a ct scan the next day and he referd me to a pulmonary dr. The pulmonary dr did a broncoscopy and told me I had a tumor approx. 2 1/2 inches on my lower lob of left lung. the surgeon says he wont know if he will have to take the whole lung til he gets in there. they want to give me a epidural for pain. I have heard mixed opinions on the safety of epidurals. any info would be appreciated. also had a pet scan they say is clear. is it unusual for this to not have spread being as large as it is? the doctors are not very forthcoming. even my own gp who I have seen for 15 yrs let the pulmonary guy tell me I had cancer. I have gotten a lot of info from this site thank you all!!

onecoyote · Senior User Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 150

Hi DDevil,
Welcome to our club. I am sorry to hear your diagnosis but it seems like you had an "on the ball" doctor from the start.
My husband was scheduled to have just the two lower lobes of his right lung removed (there are three lobes on the right side). He was in the operating room for 4 hours when the nurse came out and told me that the surgeon could not get adequate margins (safe cancer free zone) and had to take the whole lung. They sent the tissue to pathology while he was still in the OR. That was the deciding factor in a pneumonectomy versus a lobectomy.
As for the epidural, I can not say enough about the benefits of having it used on my husband. After the operation I was dumbfounded that my husband never needed pain meds to go home with. Yes, he knew the incision was there but was never in enough pain to warrant more than two Advil.
The question of whether the cancer can spread is something I believe no one can answer with conviction. They called my husband's surgery a "surgical cure". All his testing came back negative for lymph node involvement. Alas, this year the lung cancer raised it's ugly head in my husband's kidney and ribs. I later learned that lung cancer especially can "seed" itself directly into the blood stream.
After terrifying you with all this, I want to say that this was only my husband's scenario. Everyone, regardless of the similarities of the type of cancer or stage, plays out their journey differently. Many people here have been staged a 4 and gone on to live out a full life. Others, like my husband were staged low and now are terminally ill. I don't think anyone can predict what will happen.
BTW, what type of cancer did they say it was? adenocarcinoma or squamous?
My advice, life is too short even without a chronic illness, so live it to the fullest.
Prayers for a great outcome on your surgery,
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009

deena2288 · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 11

Having an epidural is a relatively safe procedure. You will be glad that you had this type of anesthesia because it will keep you numb and you won't feel the pain for a few days. You will also be able to deep breath and cough without pain. It is extremely important for you to use your incentive spirometry following surgery to prevent pneumonia. Also you need to get out of bed the following day to prevent any type of blood clots that can happen with immobility. My husband had stage 1A adenocarcinoma and had a left lower lobectomy this past January. He had no spread and has had no further treatment. There is not a day that goes by that I don't worry and wonder if he will be alright down the road. He will be having his first CAT scan next month and I hope everything will be fine. Good luck to you and I will say a prayer for you tonight that you have a successful surgery.

ddevil41 · New User Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Hi Charlene and Deena, thank you for your replies. I have the squamous like your husband. The info about the epidural was most helpful. I have been going back and forth over this. with these replies I have decided that having the epidural is my best bet. thank you so much for your kind words. I will keep you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers

UneasyRider · Regular Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Posts: 40

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. They tried to use an epidural on me, but weren't able to. The morphine in an IV made me sick, as did the anti-nausea drug they gave me to counter it, so I just ended up on hydrocodone and did fine with it. I was out of the hospital in 5 days and back on my bicycle in 16 days.

Keep us updated, and again, good luck.
_________________
57 year old male in Texas diagnosed with Stage II NSCLC
Upper left lobectomy on December 20, 2007, then 3 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy
July 2008 CT scan - NED
December 2008 CT scan - NED
June 2009 CT scan - NED
My story is in this thread: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=39609#39609

melkissa · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: having lobectomy tommarow

I hope your surgery went well!
_________________
My dad was diag w/nsclc stage 4 & mets to spine & hips on 11/08 at age 43. Large mass on R lung & collapsed L lung. No surgery so chemo & rad 5d/wk. No results. 4/09 rushed to the hospital b/c breathing issues. Hooked up to o2 & treated for infection. Released when o2 levels were good w/help from Hospice at home. In Hospice as of 6/2/09. Passed 6/10/09. Missing you forever daddy.

ddevil41 · New User Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

HI all, Had my surgery monday they were able to take only lower lobe of left lung and said I had a good clean area around tumor. was released on friday but still in a lot of pain, anyone tell me how long this lasts? supposed to take stiches out thursday...seems kinda soon to me

onecoyote · Senior User Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 150

Wow DDevil,
Congratulations on making it through! Did you have the epidural? I would be surprised if you have continued pain if you did have it. Everyone responds differently to surgery though, some with more pain receptors than others. Let's hope this subsides soon. Also, don't let the pain get ahead of you, take the meds on schedule. It is far more difficult to bring the pain down than to just keep it stable.
Being that you just had one lobe removed, you shouldn't see that much of a difference in lung function. I remember the doctor telling my husband that the remaining lung tissue expands somewhat.
10 days for most stitch removal is the norm.
Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery,
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009

melkissa · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: having lobectomy tommarow

Hoping you recover quickly!
_________________
My dad was diag w/nsclc stage 4 & mets to spine & hips on 11/08 at age 43. Large mass on R lung & collapsed L lung. No surgery so chemo & rad 5d/wk. No results. 4/09 rushed to the hospital b/c breathing issues. Hooked up to o2 & treated for infection. Released when o2 levels were good w/help from Hospice at home. In Hospice as of 6/2/09. Passed 6/10/09. Missing you forever daddy.

UneasyRider · Regular Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Posts: 40

Glad you're recovering, ddevil. I had staples, rather than stitches, and they removed them after 15 days.

Serious pain from lung surgery can last a long time, but it slowly gets better, for most patients. The best thing you can do to lessen it is to exercise, as soon as you feel up to it. I was back to riding my bike the day after the staples were removed. But, when I was able to resume my core muscle exercises 6 weeks after surgery, that seemed to help with the pain more than anything. Best wishes for a great recovery!
_________________
57 year old male in Texas diagnosed with Stage II NSCLC
Upper left lobectomy on December 20, 2007, then 3 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy
July 2008 CT scan - NED
December 2008 CT scan - NED
June 2009 CT scan - NED
My story is in this thread: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=39609#39609

ddevil41 · New User Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Hi charlene and rider. thanks for the replies! yes they gave me the epidural but it didnt work so they took it out the first night in icu. then they gave me demerol with a button i could push every 10 min. the surgeon has me on 7.5 percocet every 4 hrs but only gives me 6 days at a time they work pretty well but I,am terrified that he will cut me off. who should be handling my pain management at this point ? the surgeon or my Gp ? I know the government are really on the doctors about pain meds because of all the abuse and thats a shame cause it hurts the people that have a legitamate need for them. I don't notice any change in my breathing. they said I had plenty of capacity so I dont need oxygen. sure hope I do as well as you did rider, cant imagine riding a bike 5 days from now, thats great. Thanks again guys, it sure helps to here how other people do in this situation Smile

, Gary

deena2288 · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 11

When my husband had his left lobectomy he had significant pain when he came home. His thoracic surgeon gave him 2 types of oxycodone. He took 2 long acting pain pills every 12 hours and then took a short acting pain pill he could take every 3-4 hours. Believe me he needed these pills for a good 4-6 weeks. He did get some constipation and he had to take some enemas. As a nurse I feel your doctor is not giving you adequate pain control and giving you only 6 days at a time is rediculous. My husband had 100 pills for each prescription. I was afraid of dependency but after 6 weeks he wanted to get off of them. It has been 6 months since his surgery and continues with pain in his left side where his chest tubes were. He take tylenol XS but it doesn't do much. Somtimes I feel some of these doctors should be a patient and then they would know what it is like to be in pain.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2367

Hi Gary,

Congrats on the successful surgery!

Lung surgery is a tough ticket as so many nerves are located in that area. My husband only had a VATS wedge section done and he was in a heap o' pain for quite some time. (The constant coughing due to the heavy lung involvement didn't help matters.) Eventually we went to a pain management clinic at the hospital for treatment. They just give more drugs we found out.

Some people do well with the recovery and others not so much. It has nothing to do with you -- it's just how your body responds to the nerves being severed and trying to reconnect. Lots of things going on in that area. My husband was numb for a long time in certain areas too.

Do contact the doctor to get something to manage the pain better. Just be prudent about not over using them. Take only what you need, but to remain in pain is not a good thing to aide your overall well being. Nerve pain IS tricky business.

Good luck and let us know how you are progressing with your recovery.

God bless,
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

ddevil41 · New User Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Hi Deena and pbj, thanks for your replies! I can;t understand why my surgeon is not handling my pain better. He's been doing this for 20 yrs and you would think he would be aware how much it hurts. the long acting and short acting combo sounds perfect. when I wake up in the morning the medicine has worn off and I,am just in agony til they start to take effect. I wake up with congestion and coughing cant wait 30-45 mins. I understand that the medicine can't completely stop the pain and I hate to sound like a cry baby but it's really starting to effect mentally. should I try talking to my Gp or try the pain clinic we have in town? i also have numbness especially in my right thigh somtimes it feels like someone has put a branding iron above my knee, I guess this is nerves trying to heal. if this goes on another 4-5 weeks I think I will lose my mind Sad

I also just found out they would'nt let my family see me for 4 hrs after I came out of surgery. they told them they were having a problem controlling my pain, THANK GOD I don't remember that part but seems that would tell the surgeon something! again thanks to everyone who has given me there time and shared your stories and offered good thoughts for my recovery. you are all a great bunch and I offer my prayers and love to you all Wink

Gary

onecoyote · Senior User Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 150

Gary,
My husband had the same sensations in his thigh area. It was due to the epidural and it should resolve in a few weeks. The other pain could be due to nerves that were messed with in the lung surgery. They could take alot longer to calm down unfortunately.
Have you asked the doctor for a bronchodilator, such as Combivent, to help with the cough? My husband still uses one to keep secretions to a minimum.
Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009

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