Talk Cancer

Question:

Was  your cancer only in the lungs?  No limph nodes.(sp)   Stay healthy. Jan

Response:

The original Surgery was a right Radical nephrectomy (1991) – All of one kidney is removed, together with the neighboring adrenal gland (the adrenaline-producing gland that sits on top of the kidney) and neighboring lymph nodes. I was diagnosed as stage 3 at that time the cancer had invaded the Kidney and Lymph nodes as well as some of the surrounding tissue. Second surgery involved sub-maxillary glands on the Left side (1995). Third and forth were the lungs as described (1999). I recently, April 12,2001, underwent open-heart surgery to replace a failing Aortic Valve. I had Rheumatic Fever as a child always had a murmur The Docs think the stress of the last 10 years finally the Aortic valve did in.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Was  your cancer only in the lungs?  No limph nodes.(sp)   Stay healthy. Jan

Response:

Going to hospital for the removal of a cancer in the lung. Any advice on what I can expect in the way of pain and recovery period etc. ?                Les

Response:

I have had tumors removed from both lungs RCC one from right two from left tumors they were aprox 2×3 cm and in the lower lobes of each lung. The Doc did the left lung first then 6 weeks later the right lung both surgeries were about the same. The incision went from just below the shoulder blade to just below the nipple. Then they spread the rib cage open and removed the tumor and the immediate surrounding tissue, it called a wedge resection. There were no external stitches or staples the Doc said he used medical super glue, I think this aided substantially with my recovery. I was in intensive care for four days although I only remember three my wife tells me that I was pretty fuzzy the first day and that until they took me off the respirator I was in never, never land. I spent 5 more days in the Hospital for a total of eight days. The first 4 days after surgery I was on Demerol, which I could administer when, I needed it. Unquestionably the most painful and uncomfortable part of the experience was the dammed drains it is very difficult to move or find a comfortable position with a dammed vacuum cleaner stuck in your chest, once they removed the drain I felt an order of magnitude better and I was discharged 2 days later. Pain management at home was OxyContin 10 mg twice a day. We obtained a rental hospital bed and set in up in the family room I found it most comfortable to sleep in a semi recline position. The first week at home I pretty much veged out. The second week I started to work at home I am fortunate to be able to telecommute and I have a very good staff that dose not require substantial supervision I am an engineer and my work is not very physical. By the forth week I was able to tolerate the 45 min ride to my office however I could not drive. By the sixth week I felt fair there was still pain around the incision and tenderness due to the spreading of the ribs. Then we did it all over again the second time was a bit worse the tumor was larger and required more time to remove. The hospital stay and recovery at home were about the same the soreness in the rib area was a bit more intense.  I went back to work full time after about seven weeks and started driving to work myself after about 10 weeks although I used my wife’s car not my truck I could not drive it comfortable for long distances for about 3 months. As far a long term recovery it has been two years and I am still not able to touch my hands together over my head the is still some tenderness and pain on both sides. The good news is I am still here and as of last Monday there is no indication of new tumors. Of the five major surgeries I have had the two lungs were the most painful and uncomfortable. By the way about eight months after the second lung I returned to SCUBA diving. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going to hospital for the removal of a cancer in the lung. Any advice on what I can expect in the way of pain and recovery period etc. ?                Les

Response:

Have had to research stuff on cancer op myself If you are more specific I will be able to help you.  I had to become an expert in finding info to prove I had been misdiagnosed I have been and probably still am suffering from now mental and general health problems due to medications.  I decided to create a safe environment unlike some of the newsgroups. I have a website dealing with health problems .  I set up my own website as therapy to help myself and others at the same time. General health, mental health, drugs and medications, misdiagnosis  are all dealt with  If you leave your message on my message board (So others in the same position as yourself can be helped.)   I can then forward you with the info you need. http://www.tbandu.btinternet.co.uk/ renamed HELLth Service I promise to reply within 24 hours.    Hope to hear from you soon.  Love and Prayers  Webeyes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going to hospital for the removal of a cancer in the lung. Any advice on what I can expect in the way of pain and recovery period etc. ?                Les

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