-Cheryl- Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Hello Everyone, I am at home now resting in the easy lounger. I want you al to know that God heard your voices of prayer loudly. The surgery went quite well. I was actually rather calm going into it....sort of at peace. I felt Jesus holding my right hand and the fear abated. I was not given any drugs beforehand to relax me either! Five hours later I awoke painfree, breathing regularly on my own. I spent 5 hours in recovery, then on to my own room. I received morphine the first and second day only. I was not thrilled about having the drug taken away! I also had a Q-Ball that sent pain medication into the incision site via these little wires, that worked well. When I was taken off the morphine, and was given hydrocodone, then the pain became outrageous when I moved. PLus, I could not have more meds until my next scheduled dose, regardless of the pain. The tubes came out 4rth day. That made me feel so much better. Everytime my tubes were touched I would scream out in pain! The doctor wanted me up and moving to prevent blood clots, expand my lungs, and get the other bodily processes functioning. He said drugs prevent that. I have been having shortness of breath, but x-rays show clear and expanded lungs. Anyone experience this after surgery? My oxyygen level would be at 97, then drop to 89 when I walked. Also, the glue used to close my lung is a sealant called Thorex. I do believe I received it in this double blind study because my lung sealed imediately, no leaks! My surgeon said that none of the lymph nodes in my chest showed cancer, nor did the tissue surrounding the tumor. The nodes in the middle chest, that he was worried about, seemed to be fairly destroyed by the radiation! So all went well! Thanks again for your support and prayers! Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Cheryl, Oh, I am so happy you are back and feeling better each day. You speak about shortness of breath. With buddy it was the pain meds, so if you are still on them, read the side effects... YOur jack posted to my buddy's problem and that was really sweet. He has got to be a terrific guy and I know he loves you very much for being on here and letting us know your condition. Hang in and each day you will be better....you are a very strong woman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Cheryl, How great to hear your "voice"! The aftermath of surgery is a minefield of various ups and downs that you forget as quickly as you can when you are feeling better. I'm sorry you experienced so much pain, but you are on the road to recovery now, and isn't it GREAT to be in your own home surrounded by your loved one(s). Will continue to pray for your betterment. Hugs and blessings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debi Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Cheryl, Its about time you stopped laying around and got back on the board! Glad to hear it all went well. I had the shortness of breath for awhile afterwards and my oxygen also would go down when I walked around. I think it comes with the territory. Welcome home and welcome back... we missed you!!! Debi 47 years old stage 1a - nsclc Surgery June 16, 2003 - upper & mid lobes removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Dear Cheryl, I've been waiting to see a post from you. Everything sounds so promising. It brought tears to my eyes. I wish I could come and do something for you to help out. You are a survivor,I will be praying for a speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmc Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Welcome Home Cheryl; So very glad all is going well, the first few weeks can be trying at times but this will pass. Good to be a SURVIVOR today!! thanks for the update and again happy for ya!! God bless and be well Bobmc- NSCLC- stageIIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaveG Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Cheryl: Glad to see you up and about so quickly. My first surgery had complications, as my lung would not expand and I had to go home with a chest tube in place. My second surgery was better, I also stayed only 5 days in the hospital, compared to 11 days with the first surgery. Make sure you get up and walk around as often as possible. Don't be afraid of the pains meds either, as you will crave the pain meds only when you have pain. When the pain is gone, so will your craving for pain meds be gone. Good to see you posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebayou Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Remember to keep pillows around you. Have one at the ready to hug if you are about to sneeze or cough or such things!! They help a lot. Good luck and here's to a quick recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beckyg Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I'm glad to have you back! Take care of yourself and enjoy knowing that tumor is gone! Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Dear Cheryl, Welcome home! Praying for a quick recovery. Get some rest,please! God bless, Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Wow Cheryl you are doing great!!!!!! I think shortness of breath is a pretty common thing after lung surgery, I still have quite a problem with it. Glad you are home and doing so well. God Bless you and Jack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaMRG Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Dear Cheryl, I was so happy to find your post tonight!!!!!!!! Im glad youre home and the tumor is GONE!!!!!!! That is great news about the lymph nodes and surrounding area being clean!! That is so nice Jesus was holding your hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Sounds like a lot of good news. Welcome back Cheryl! Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Cheryl So happy to hear from you again, sounds like everything went very well. Keep up the good work and welcome home Bess B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniemac Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Cheryl, I'm just grinning ear to ear. I'm so glad your home and the surgery reports sound just great. It sure sounds like they got it all. Now just rest up and let Jack wait on you hand and foot for a few weeks. Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrie Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Cheryl WONDERFUL to read your post! Sounds like you are recovering nicely and the doctors had good things to report. Know that you continue to be in my prayers daily as you recover - Terrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Cheryl it is great that you are home----you sound like you did great with no complications- now rest and take it easy-and heal--- --I think this operation should excuse you from doing housework for at least 6 months were you able to take your first shower yet? I did after 12 days and it was sheer heaven-- regards Eileen I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Welcome Home!!!! I am so glad surgery went well -- didn't it AMAZE you that after having part of your lung removed, they had you up and walking the hospital halls the next day???? Unbelievable!!!! Take it easy and give yourself some time to recover -- you deserve to be waited on for a few days!!! Did they give you any exercises to do to expand your lung and stretch your shoulder? If so -- DO THEM!!!! I think they really helped my recovery move along quicker. Sending prayers your way, Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judysdaughter Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I am reading this with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. Good for you! The pain might be there but try and think of it as a reminder of being alive (my mom didn't care for that one either but I try). Fabulous news. Absolutely beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Cheryl, You are truly blessed and are a survivor. Take it easy and take the healing process one day at a time. I am so happy for you. You are in my prayers. God Bless and praying for a " Cure" for all of us...... Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Yeah!!! Cheryl-So glad to hear it went well. Hope you are up 'running' soon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Cheryl and Jack, I am dancing a little jig in celebration of your great news! Take care. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Cheryl, You're up and about! Shortness of breath? I had some of that - I think some of it was in my head as I was afraid to breathe deep and possibly SNEEZE! Owie, owie, owie.... Enjoyed the fuzzy effects of all the drugs I was on, kinda like how the movie world shows illicit street drugs as acting... Neat to have that kind of ride and not have to worry about the cops breaking down the door! Judy's daughter said the pain was a reminder of being alive - and that her mother didn't like that statement... Well, when I came to in the recovery room the room was SOOOO bright, I thought for a mere moment I might be dead, then realized I HURT too bad to be dead (and was about to hurt a lot more because I woke up before they were finished with the tests for blood gases, etc. - LOVELY to wake up just in time to experience more flippin' needles!) Glad you're home and on your way to recovery. Get back to "normal" on your own time, don't push TOO hard (you'll end up SLEEPING a heckuva lot more) and enjoy the naps! (Now that I'm back to work, I really miss those - and have caught myself nodding off a few times....good thing I'm not an air traffic controller!) Hope you got at least ONE Snoopy Band-Aid... Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraL Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Welcome home, Cheryl! Sounds like you're doing great to me! Take good care of yourself, don't try to do too much too soon. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 Cheryl, I always enjoy your posts and especially enjoyed this one with the great news! You express yourself so well. Sounds as if the surgery went as well as could be expected if not better. I don't know about you but I was a raging terror on my pain medication and all I had was a biopsy!! I was on morphine for 2 days and had 3 different nurses in my room allthrough the night telling them my pump was not working.....it was. Now I am getting over steroids and have been almost as bad on them. I hope you continue to recover and the shortness of breath is getting better. Have you tried any breathing exercises? They really do help with lung capacity and strength. You have been and continue to be in my prayers. David C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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