What should I to expect in the months after lung surgery & Chemo?..side effects, ect. Thanks! Sherrie?

Question

Just as added info, even though I'm really looking for input to my above question.....Normal procedure is to remove one rib (which they did), when they remove the upper lobe of your right lung. But, when they did my surgery they found it had metasized to the middle lobe. Therefore, they also had to remove the middle lobe also. The physicians BROKE 3 of my other ribs when trying to spread my ribs in order to get to the middle lobe. . ANYTHING you have to share would be appreciated. My surgery was Dec 4, 2005, Chemo ended in August 2006, and I am still experiencing extreme fatique & pain. I am 51 years old. My cancer was adenocarcinoma stage 1. I am a single working mom of a 14 & 18 year old & need all the energy I can get. How long will this fatique & pain last... at least I'll know there may be light at the end my rainbow. Cordially, Sherrie OH!, If I seem to be complaining... I'm not! I realize if this had not been caught by accident, I would have been dead in 4 to 6 months.

Answer 1

I did chemo for cancer. My hair fell out (and later grew back). You can get a prescription for a "hair prosthesis" (wig) that your insurance should cover.

It was important to me that the chemo be finished on time, so I strived to keep my blood levels up. You have to stay ahead of the nausea with the anti-nausea pills. Once the nausea takes hold, you don't even want the anti-nausea pills. Immodium comes in handy to have on hand for the diarrhea that comes with chemo.

I ate bland high protein foods, such as cold hard boiled eggs (lots of them) and rax or arby's plain roast beef sandwiches (along with crackers and bottled water). It may help to have small microwave dinners on hand (to save on cooking).

The 14 and 18 year olds hopefully can help you with cooking and housework.

You can complain!! Cancer isn't fair!! Get mad!! I also went out and chopped on tree stumps and split logs, imagining they were cancer.Don't let the anger at the unfairness of it all turn inward!! Get mad!! (But not at your kids or docs hopefully)

It is probably normal that they may have had to break or take out ribs in such surgery...

Answer 2

when my dad had his surgery he thought he'd never see the end of the pain. they took the top lobe and broke the rib. it's been about 4 yrs and he still has a little pain but not nearly what it was. it took about 18months -2yrs for the pain to subside enough that he could get moving at a regular pace again.my bro had an entire lung removed but without the ribs being broken. he is still in a lot of pain 2 yrs later but much of that is due to the fact that the other lung isn't in great shape. not cancerous but not healthy either. you're still very young. i would think you should start to feel some relief within the year. there are medications available to you if you're not taking any now. best of luck to you. i'm glad you're still here.

Answer 3

My son is scheduled for surgery on his liver on Wednesday. They will approach this through the thoracic cavity, probably remove and replace his right diaphragm. I know they plan to spred the ribs to reach this point and collapse the lung during surgery. Bleck. My hope is that he is young enough to bounce back like he always does.

I'd give yourself even more time to recover. Enjoy the fact that you are alive and you have two great kids. Go back to your doctor and try to find out ways to increase your endurance without jeopardizing your health. Maybe you need a nutritionist? Your doctor should be able to help or contact a local cancer organization for advice.

ACS: Be Healthy after Treatment
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/HOME/srv/srv_0.asp

Good luck! You go do what it takes to get well. I hate cancer.

Answer 4

Glyconutrients... plant based carbohydrates that are changing the way we think about the future. go to www.glycoscience.com Livingsugars.com and a book by Dr Steve Nugent. called "The Missing Nutrients.