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BAC Surgery on Tuesday.


Julia

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Hello I’m Julia. 

I will be having my surgery on this coming Tuesday and of all the surgeries I’ve had in my life, this one scares me the most. I guess because it has the C-word attached to it. I would be interested in finding out what to expect from those who have faced or now facing this same condition.

I am very pleased to have found this forum.    

Thank you. 

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Hi, Julia, and welcome.

What kind of surgery are you having?  If you're comfortable sharing a bit more about your diagnosis, what tests you have had, and your planned surgery, as well as any other info about your overall health we can be more specific.

I had VATS surgery to remove my upper left lobe, which had a suspicious nodule.  I'd had a PET/CT scan in which the nodule was the only thing to light up, and I had no biopsy before surgery.  I was found to have adenocarcinoma, early stage so no chemo or anything else.  I recovered from surgery fast and feel great today, a little over a year since my surgery.

Glad you found us--this is a great place for information and support.

ETA:  I'm not sure what "BAC" surgery refers to.  Can you explain that?

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I’ve had the lung nodule for approximately 10 years. Diagnosed with nodule in 2003. During that time my pcp told me that CAT scan didn’t show activity. PET didn’t show activity. We took the wait and see approach. I started the cpap for apnea last year and became sick. Doctor sent me for a chest X-ray and boom they assumed I had pneumonia. Several months later still looks like pneumonia again. Well it never cleared up. I changed doctors and he sent me to a Pulmonologist. More tests, Pet/ct, biopsy and discovered activity and growth in the nodule. My pulmonologist met with his group of colleagues and specialist and decided that removal of tumor was necessary.  The surgeon called it Bac, a possible slow growing , never said the c-word. However, on tureday they will be taking out the tumor and  lobe(s) in lower right lung.  Needless to say, I am completely frightened. 

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OK, so apparently BAC refers to the condition, rather than the type of surgery.  Here's an article I found: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-bac-bronchioloalveolar-carcinoma-2249362

The good news seems to be that it's relatively curable with surgery.  Do you know if your doctor plans to use the VATS technique (laparoscopic)?  It makes the whole thing much easier.

It's perfectly normal to be scared, but it sounds like surgery might well take care of the problem.

 

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Hi Julia,

I had my lower right lobe removed by VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) two years ago. It was found to be adenocarcinoma stage 1a. I recovered pretty quickly and needed no further treatment, just CT scans every 6 months to watch for possible recurrence. So far I'm fine,. I have no pain and I don't get short of breath. I hope your surgery and recovery goes as smoothly. I'll be thinking of you.

Bridget O

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Julia,

Nearly 15 year survivor of 3 thoracic surgeries done the old fashion way: banana incision. Pain was not that bad. Modern surgery is much less invasive. 

As Bridget and Lexie assert, you’ll be fine. 

Welcome here. Let us know how you are doing when you recover. 

Stay the course. 

Tom

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Thank you so much Tom.  I will need to get out of head.  They will be using the VATS procedure.  When they told me I would be in the ICU for a day or two, I went into a state of shock.   I feel a bit better now and a lot better after this is over.

Julia

 

.

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I'd be really surprised if you were in ICU for two days!  Most people go home within a day or two after VATS.  Usually, you're encouraged to get up and walk around later the same day as your surgery.  ICU I could see only if you had complications or if your health is especially delicate.  Hopefully that was just the "worst case scenario" they were talking about.

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Hi Julia:  my experience was very similar to your in that a mass was found some years ago.  I had the right lower lobe removed on Monday of this week and I'm home, pain free on Thursday.  I was told I might have to go into the ICU for 1-2 days first, depending on overall health and complexity of the surgery, but I was sent straight to a regular hospital room and yes, Lexie Cat is right, they get you walking as soon as possible!. My awesome surgeon used  robot-assisted surgery  (very similar to VATS but needing even fewer, smaller entry points than VATS) and he has a great human surgical team.   I have quite a few interesting bruises around one side of my torso, and there is one small suture to close the access point for the robots, which will be the only physical evidence.  I was absolutely terrified about the surgery and like you, the thought of ICU was truly scary.   The chest drain was the only real source of pain and for the most part, non-opioid drugs managed it fine.   The mass (about 5 cm, so quite large) tested positive for cancer but a couple of lymph nodes near it were clear, as were several others when I had an EBUS procedure a couple of weeks ago.  He biopsied several other for more complex analysis, still waiting for the results but my pulmonologist stopped by to see me and introduced a new C word - cure!  I feel so good that I was warned to take it easy, it is major surgery and recovery takes some weeks.  Hope you have had a similar experience.

 

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Hi Anne,  

Sounds like your surgery went well, if not better than well! Thanks for sharing this. Keep us up to date on your recovery. I'm looking forward to hearing fron Juiia and hoping hers went as well as yours.

Bridget O

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