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The day after surgery


LouT

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Well, here I am one day after surgery.  Last night was eventful, but today's turning out more trouble-free. 

They did perform the lobeecromy since  the nodule was squamos cell cancer. I'll know more about my stage and other details at my 3 week follow up visit.  

There is pain, but it's well controlled with Tramadol and an occasional half dose of delaudid. I think the chest tube hurts now than the surgery itself. I was surprised to wake up with 4 IV's in me, but they took 2 of them out a little while ago.  I've sat up in a chair and did my first walk (which felt good to do) and while I could feel the surgery it wasn't terrible. 

I was up most of last night so I'm a bit drowsy today. The chest tube pump fell and broke. It only took a minute or two before I felt pain in my right side. They brought in an x-ray machine and determined I was filling up with air. Luckily they got another unit, cranked it up and pretty quickly my pain stopped. Then they had to catheterize me. Apparently the anesthesia can put parts of your body to sleep for awhile.  So between those incidents, numerous checks and blood work the first night wasn't a lot of sleep. I'll get more today. They are thinking I may leave ICU and go to a surgical ward today it tomorrow. 

Curt, you were right, I do feel better than I thought I would after the operation.  Even though I know I have a way to go I'm not suffering so much as I imagined before the surgery.

I'll post here again when I have more to share. 

Lou

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Sounds like everything went well!  Of course, it's preferable to wake up to find there was no cancer, but catching it early and getting it out is the next best thing.

Glad to hear you're feeling OK.  Don't be surprised if you wind up doing a LOT of coughing--after the first few days, sore abs from coughing was the most painful part.  Keep doing your breathing exercises--the coughing is good for you and will lessen in a week or two.  

Have they told you yet when you can go home?

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Lou,

You are my hero!  Posting one day after major surgery is quite a feat. 

I had a similar chest tube “bucket” problem that caused pain. Moving from ICU to surgical ward is a big step!

Stay the course. 

Tom

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I’m glad to hear you’re doing ok.  I’m sorry to hear that it is cancer.  I guess you were expecting that but it’s still shocking to hear.  That shock still comes and goes ten weeks later for me.  The first 24 hours are tough, but you’ll likely forget the details of it as time goes on.  You’ll see improvement every day.  Getting that chest tube removed is the next milestone.  I had an air pocket in my chest that delayed mine being remove by a day or so.  I was petrified of that.  The doctors said it wouldn’t hurt and they were right.  It was more of a relief when it came out.  Walking as much as you can will help accelerate getting it out. The opioid pain meds do slow you down.  Waking and drinking a lot of water also helps with getting things moving.

 

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Great to hear from you Lou.  A little coughing tip-grab a pillow and wrap it into your belly to protect the rib cage.  One step at a time. Your surgery buddies will coach you along the road to recovery.  You’ll be back in short order! 

My continued prayers! 

Michelle

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Thanks for the well wishes everybody. I'm now out of ICU and could go home Sunday or Monday. I have an air leak they're watching and it's not a bad one so when it seals I'll be sprung. 

I'll get the catheter out tonight and that will make the remainder of my stay more pleasant. I'm up and walking now and want to do a mile/day before I go.  

I feel blessed that I had this forum and all of you to go through this with me. Thank you for everything. 

Lou

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Sounds like you're doing great! Those chest tubes are pesky. I was sent home with mine in because my lung kept leaking air. It was a relief when it finally came out and I had hardly any pain after that. Hang in there!

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Wow Lou-posting the day after.  Sorry you got the diagnosis you did but you are now one step closer to NED.  Hang in there, you got this.

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