jenifer Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 i am scheduled for VATS removal of lower right lung on August 10th and am really wondering what to expect. I have a 1.7 x 2.5 tumor in right lung.. The PET scan showed no node involvement but they will biopsy nodes in upper chest as well as lower to make sure. My needle biopsy showed undifferentiated carcinoma, which i believe is not what i would have hoped for. anyway just looking for support and information [/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbara5452 Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 Jenifer, sorry you need to be here, I cannot voice on the Vats as I had the traditional surgery. I have heard Vats recovery is alot quicker. I'm sure someone will be able to help you with your question, best of luck with your surgery. Stay positive.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 Jenifer I cannot offer you any information about the VATS but wanted to welcome you to the site. I am sure that some of our knowledgeable folks will be along soon to offer you information and support about it. Wishing you all the best, Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaffie Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Welcome Jenifer, I had the vats lobectomy, it is so much easier on you than the old fashioned break your ribs surgery. I was in the hospital for about a week. I can't tell you the normal recovery time because I had the complication of a plural effusion two weeks after surgery. I Googled Vats and read up on it, I found a short video online that showed the procedure being done. I don't know if that would be too scary for you but it actually helped me because I saw that it was not nearly as invasive as I expected. I have a three inch scar in front and about the same size in back. I hope everything goes smoothly for you and you get good news when you wake up from surgery. I know it's a scary thing to go through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenifer Posted August 7, 2007 Author Share Posted August 7, 2007 thanks for the info. i'm being real positive, but the unknown can be spooky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 My husband had both the traditional and also the VATS surgery. The VATS was a faster healing with no breakage of the ribs(which is extremely painful). There was only a couple of small incisions compared to the big scar he had from the traditional surgery. You will be fine. Trust me... VATS is the best way to go. Please fill a profile out that will appear on the bottom of your post so we can know about your staging and what your treaments have been so far. LC is not a death sentence as there are so many survivors and so many new treatments, You are VERT lucky that yours can be removed through surgery as only 1 in 4 have the option. What do they have you staged at? Ususally, if you are IB to IV they will do Chemo after the operatation. Good luck, keep us posted with your progress. Make sure they give you good meds when you get home. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 My parents both had Vats and they said it was truly not as bad as expected. My dad was up and about a few days after, acting like nothign happened. My mom took a bit longer, but did really well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenifer Posted August 7, 2007 Author Share Posted August 7, 2007 what a great site this is!!! wish i had found it sooner. i'm not sure how to do this profile thing. but here is the info middle of june had chest x-ray then CAT then PET then needle biopsy on July 3rd was informed by me doctor that I had undifferentiated carcinoma 1.7x2.5 in size it appears to be stage I but they will finalize staging following node biopsy during surgery. first I met with surgeon in Rochester NY who planned on during open chest surgery--I really wanted the VATS so I traveled to Buffalo as no surgeon is doing VATS lobectomy here. surgery is scheduled for Aug 10th at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo NY. i'm 62 have 3 sons 3 daughter-in-laws, 5 grandchildren, and two more due (one in 7 days) a really nice man in my life who lives in Baltimore. 3 Dogs, 2 cats (one who just had his leg amputated) Today I feel wonderful, life is real good, and i plan on it continuing to be so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 To add your profile in... go to the top of this page click on where it says profile... a page will appear where you put information in. Your profile, you put in the signature section. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenifer Posted August 7, 2007 Author Share Posted August 7, 2007 i think i got it--thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Hi Jenifer, If you click on the word Profile that you should see in the top upper right of the screen it should come up and you simple fill in all your info. That way you don't have to keep repeating yourself for us to know what's been going on with you. It is helpful to keep up to date and to better help you with any questions/concerns you may have. Sounds as if you are sailing along on the right track. Good job so far. Also seems your life is pretty darn good too with all those who love you. Are you in the NY area? If so, there are some members pretty close by you. Good luck and keep us up to date. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenifer Posted August 7, 2007 Author Share Posted August 7, 2007 looks like you've been through a lot! it will be a while before we find out what stuff i'm really made of. Yep I have a lot of people to love. I's never perfect but always interesting! thanks for the reply. i'm working on the pic thing. so far it keeps rejecting my choice--i think pic is too big? jenifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Jenifer...........if you're having trouble with the pic, you can send what you have to KatieB and she can post it for you. She is the founder of LCSC and she has done it for MANY of us who had trouble. Good luck......can't wait to see it! Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Jennifer, Vats is an amazing procedure. I went to Danbury Hospital in CT and saw a presentation on it. Dr said Tylenol is all the pain meds any or his folks ever needed. You are going to do great!!! I'm "happy" to know someone who is a candidate for this procedure, you have a TON to be hopeful for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Welcome--I don't have any information to help you with your surgery--just wanted to let you know that you will be in my prayers on the 10th! Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenifer Posted August 9, 2007 Author Share Posted August 9, 2007 i leave for Buffalo this afternoon and just wanted to thank all of you who have responded. You have given me vital information, support and encouragement! i'll be back soon. jenifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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