Has anyone had a bilobectomy for lung cancer tumors?

This sounds like a significant procedure, and it's natural to want to connect with others who've been through something similar. Bilobectomy can be an effective treatment option for cases where tumors are located in multiple lobes, and many people in this community have experience with various lung surgeries that they may be willing to share. Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences to help you feel more prepared for what's ahead.

Hi Judy- i have been home from the hospital for a week now. My first surgery was 6 hours (unexpected) one day then 2 hours for the other surgery two days later. To be honest- it seems like decisions were made so fast that I wasn’t prepared for what to expect. I say this because I think mentally and emotionally I am exhausted. Pain is manageable- no pain meds today for now. About after care- can you have someone with you for a few days to help out if not longer? To prepare- create a place to sleep- I have been on a couch in which I sleep at an angle, almost sitting up. I use many pillows to also prop myself up. Also make some simple food for yourself - I made chicken soup in which was frozen yet easily heated up when I got home. Does this help? (I copy pasted this from the other post)

Do you have help or are you handling this solo? How long were you in the hospital? Do you have to return to any job that you had prior to surgery? I’m trying to work prior to surgery, just returned to the elementary school where I work, but after a summer of not working and a diagnosis of this cancer four weeks ago, I am also emotionally spent. Besides pain, meds, and some food prepared in advance are there any products to make it easier to handle when you get home? Also, is there anything that needs to be physically handled that maybe my husband (who is squeamish) can’t handle that I would need a nurse for?

I do have a husband who’s been helping me – and I’m extremely grateful for him. I think you need to talk with your doctor and team about when they recommend you returning to work. I am an educator too yet. I’m in a different spot in my career so I wasn’t planning on working full-time this fall. My diagnosis was also randomly found so I’m lucky that what I had in place did work out. My husband is also squeamish yet. He’s been really strong at this time. Something we didn’t anticipate is him having to watch me come out of anesthesia after surgeries that was hard for him to watch. I’m in my second week of recovery and coughing a lot which is expected. My ability to do the regular things is not there – it should come back but I lost over 20% of my lung capacity because the removal of a lobe and wedges. My legs wanna go jogging – I love moving my body so this is very frustrating.

I’m also at a different stage…started as a high school counselor, then retired (for five months, I was bored) so I switched to an elementary school as a Para thinking it would be calmer…yeah, not so much. I’m seeing my team at Dartmouth on Tuesday and I’ll ask them about it. I’m glad your husband has been so helpful. Mine too. Except that if he sees blood, it’s all over, lol. Good luck this week, you already got through the hardest part!!! Last question, when they did the surgery, did they discover anything that they hadn’t seen in scans and biopsies? I’m nervous about that.

I believe your team will do the best they can; at the same time, they aren’t the patient and have not gone through the trauma. I retired to consult in which a node was found from another test (calcium score). Three months later, two surgeries occurred. They were supposed to only remove a wedge of a lower lobe yet removed the whole lobe because they said it , the nodule, was lodged into the lobe. By the way- the morning of your surgery they might need to put dye into the nodule/tumor (I didn’t know this). Overall, use the breathing device to practice breathing and move your body as soon as you feel comfortable after the surgery. Also allow yourself the emotional rollercoaster - feelings of sadness, anger, etc. it doesn’t make sense that this came up into my life because I’ve never even used any tobacco products. Plus, I just retired.so my emotions are all over. Good luck at your appointment!

Thanks Lori, I’m with you. The randomness of this just popping up is so hard to wrap my head around. One day everything is normal, then the rug gets pulled out from under you!! Anyway, good vibes in getting through your 2nd week. Every day gets a little bit closer to your regular life!!

At some point let me know if you want chat (if we r allowed to). As much as I know my body is healing (the breathing is different though), emotionally and mentally I am exhausted. If I was working, I would need a few months off to get through this. Thanks for the positive energy- May your next steps go smoothly!

Thanks Lori, that sounds good!!

Judy, I had? colon cancer and am halfway through chemo treatments. I cannot espouse enough how having a positive mental frame of mind will benefit you through this difficult life episode. Find the sensitives in your life that are going to help you achieve this goal and your successful transition. God Bless you and your family and insurance up! Life, burial don't leave things to chance and take matters into your own hands because cancer wants to KILL us! Have faith and love 💖💖💖

Hi Judy- I wanted to check in. How are you doing?