bethgolson

Well, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one who's had this problem.......For the first 6 - 8 weeks postop, I was not able to wear an "appliance" either, so I bought some men's sleeveless undershirts (the ribbed kind) in a size small. Since I am an XL, they fit very snugly and did the trick! In fact, I had surgery in MAy 2002 and went back to work in August, and still wore them at work under my uniforms for the first couple weeks! I found that to be the most comfortable and functional thing to do. The numbness does slowly go away, and at one year postop I have numbness only along the scar line. I do, however, have right chest-wall pain and pain along the front right ribs from the chest tube. It is not bad at all unless it's about to rain.........so I have become a very reliable weather predictor! Beth

Thanks to all of you for your kind emails and helpful thoughts. I must say, that in reading some of your past posts, I have seen some wonderfully inspiring stories, and it is very encouraging to see so many people doing well after their treatments/surgeries, but still sad to see references to those who have not. My grandmother died of small-cell in 1988 and it was a very scary time for me during my diagnosis process........especially since I am a 25 year smoker. After my surgery I stopped of course, but in a weakened moment 4 months ago I started back----now I'm doing the every-other-week quitting marathon yet again. I am on other medications that prevent me from taking the Zyban, but each week I get a little longer without one, so hopefully I will soon have it under control, though it's very hard. I am shocked to see so many young people here, and that is a scary thought since my 16 (today) year old daughter refuses to stop smoking as well. Thanks again for the welcome, and if I can ever provide advice or info to anyone (as an xray tech), please ask! Beth

Hi everyone..........just joining here, and wanted to tell you why I'm here and introduce myself. My name is Beth and I am 39. Last May, I had a right middle lobectomy for a 1+cm carcinoid tumor. Carcinoids are not quite like NSCLC, but are a cousing to SCLC............except that they are typically slow-growing, thus offering a good chance at cure. They don't usually respond to chemo or radiation, so if surgically removed, and with no evidence of liver or bone mets, then treatment is usually complete. Every 3 months I have blood tumor markers checked (carcinoids produce hormones) and I have yearly chest/abdomen/pelvic CTs, as well as a neuroendocrine-tumor-sensitive nuclear medicine scan called an Octreoscan. Anyway, I am here mostly to find out how others have fared after having thoracotomy surgery. It has been fairly tough for me, and I still experience shortness of breath and right-sided chest wall pain. I just wondered if this was common.......... It is frustrating trying to work full time, since fatigue is also pretty bad. I am curious as to how others are doing after their surgery. I look forward to hearing from anyone who will post, and I hope everyone is having a pleasant Sunday! Beth