VATS RUL LOBECTOMY

• By Laura50
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 7:19 am
• Report post

Did they tell you what stage it is? I had VATS to remove my upper left lobe on October 2, 2008. I was initially told I'd be in the hospital for 3 to 5 days but they released me the next morning and I was back at work the next week. My biggest problem was nerve trauma which made it feel like someone was sticking a knife in my armpit. It lasted about three weeks. Now other than being a little winded if I overexert, I feel pretty much the same as I did before the surgery.

Best of luck to you and your husband.

• Reply

• By KEMRIT
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 8:15 am
• Report post

Hi Laura,
I am so grateful for your quick response, and am glad to hear you are doing so well. Chas' CT showed a 2.3x1.5 cm pleural based nodule in the apex of his RUL making bx difficult to do. His bone, and brain scans were neg. as were the lymph nodes in his chest and abd. CT. Rita

• Reply

• By robinwd
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 8:35 am
• Report post

Kemrit, don't have any real advice to offer since Dr. Patterson determined that I was not a surgical candidate. I initially went to him thinking that if I was going to have surgery I would be there where my mom and sister could take care of me. So I came back home and did my chemo and rad. I wasn't really thrilled w/ follow-up plan of my onc, so went to Georgetown Univ. Hosp. in DC for another opinion, where I met a team who determined that if I had a recurrence they would be able to do a surgical procedure....even tho' one of the Drs. said that she had trained w/ Dr. P and if he said no, she would go w/ his opinion. So far, NED 4 yrs. since dx. Good luck to you and Charles.

• Reply

• By claires
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 9:42 am
• Report post

It's natural to worry about recurrence, and it certainly can happen. However, the surgery can buy so much time that a future recurrence could be treated easily by then. Best to grab and enjoy the reprieve. The thing physicians do best is remove (cut.)

• Reply

• By Chum
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 10:12 am
• Report post

I had VATS to remove upper right lobe about 4.5 years ago. Had scans on a regular basis (now once a year) to check for either a recurrence or a new primary. I was told there is about a 1-2% chance every year that there will be either.

It took me about one week to get back to work - no pain associated with the VATS. Breathing became normal about six months-year after. I play tennis, work out, walk the dog, etc.

Recurrence and/or a new primary are always possible - but look at the other side of the statistic - the chances of NOT having a recurrence and/or a new primary are 98-99% each and every year.

Courage

Cum

• Reply

• By KEMRIT
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 1:26 pm
• Report post

Thank you all so soo much. Your encouraging words are a true blessing. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Rita

• Reply

• By caden
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 3:28 pm
• Report post

I had VATS RUL last June. I didn't heal as quickly as others but it was still so much better than I expected. I was back at work 2 months later and have pretty much resumed normal activities. I can walk 2 miles now and feel fine, not winded at all. Like almost everyone else I worry about it coming back but try to rejoice in the fact that they caught it early and I am here!!

• Reply

• By peyz33
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 5:29 pm
• Report post

i had VATS - been NED ever since - no real pain - short hospital stay - genius surgeon!!! good luck!!
Karen

• Reply

• By terryl
• Posted April 9, 2009 at 7:20 pm
• Report post

I had the traditional thoracotomy procedure in May 2006. From what I read it is a bit harder to go through than the Vats. I spent 5 days in the hospital. It is quite painful but I was given adequate pain control medication. I slept in a recliner after coming home, for at least 2 weeks. I found a heating pad very helpful at relieving the achiness at the incision site. At about 4 weeks I was beginning to feel more myself, at 6 weeks I was feeling so much better I was getting bored staying at home. At 8 weeks I went back to work full time. Some get better faster, some slower. I still have a little shortness of breath. My scar is numb and it itches sometimes. It is tough, but he can do it with your support.
Hope this helps.

• Reply

• By bonjovi
• Posted April 16, 2009 at 4:17 pm
• Report post

I also had the traditiopnal thoracotomy done at least eight weeks ago, my hraling process has been slow, i often feel itchiness and pain along the insciosonal site,cp occasionally, pain at the chest too site my dr warned me of contiued nerve pain but didn't know it would last this long, the spasms some times are frequent but overall i guess it was better to have the i inch tumor removed and no futher tx. than other choices.

• Reply

• By myanjoshmama
• Posted July 13, 2009 at 3:45 pm
• Report post

my mother just had VATS URL on Thursday, July 2, 2009. she is recovering great! if we didnt have an incident with the chest tube then she wouldn't have had no pain at all! it is amazing what doctors can do today!
feel free to email me with any questions.

• Reply

Add to the discussion