slinaresholz Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 I've been kind of worried lately because the side I had surgery on seems a little swollen. Its not red or anything and I did mention it to my regular doctor but she just sort of blew it off. I have been laying on my sore side in bed at times> Does anyone remember having a little swelling? My surgery was at the end of January, a good five months ago. Thanks. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 Sharon- I had surgery on 06/01/04, lower left lobe removed. I have had no swelling, drainage or leaks. The only redness I had was from a reaction to the steriods. You don't say what kind of treatment you are receiving. Show the incision to your Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist or make another appt with the surgeon (even better). Although it's probably nothing (just irritation from sleeping) have someone address it specifically to make YOU feel better! I just went through my first chemo and first 1 1/2 weeks of radiation. Anything or reaction that could have happened, happened to me. It took three telephone calls (to on call Dr's) and two office visits with me finally becoming hysterical to get someone to notice me. Be pushy and take someone with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 Sharon, Just new to this whole surgery thing (My dads was less than two weeks ago), but the dr. said that swelling and pain are completly normal and this is just the beggining of it. It will go on for some time. Now, I dont know if "some time" means 5 months out, but thats what he told my dad. Might want to check it out just to be safe. Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy B Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 Sharon. My second surgery was 5 weeks ago - I did have some swelling after two weeks and asked my surgeon about it. It was fluid and he said my body would take care of it and it would be better not to drain it as that could introduce infection. I have learned after two bouts with this beast that if anything at all comes up that I have a question about - I call the doctor. Worrying is not good for you and there is usually a good explanation for what is happening. Don't take the chance that it might be something serious. Take care. Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 Sharon, If the swelling is something you are concerned about, call the surgeon. If the surgeon tells you it's nothing (after running down a checklist of sorts), you'll be able to sleep again. If the doctor thinks it may be something (or just wants to make sure), you'll have an appointment to see the surgeon where s/he can evaluate the swelling and possibly treat it. Bottom line? Have your question answered by the specialist, not the GP. It doesn't sound like you are comfortable with the answer the GP gave you, call the "pro". Hope it's all in your head! Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debi Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 Sharon, I went to my doctor about 6 or 7 months out of surgery because I thought my right side was swollen. He looked at it and said there was nothing to worry about. I STILL think it is swollen; it could be for real or it could just be my imagination. And by the way, I'm still numb, and still uncomfortable at times and STILL can only wear a sports bra. All that said, I do agree with what the others said, it won't hurt to see the surgeon to put your mind at ease..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted July 10, 2004 Share Posted July 10, 2004 My husband was operated on at the end of April and the one thing that bothered him, and still does, after the pain of the incision wore off, was his right side, around his right rib cage. He's very thin, but there seemed to be swelling of some sort there, and it felt like "cardboard", he said, and pressure, constant pressure. The surgeon told us it was a reaction of the nerves from the surgery and would eventually go away. And the oncologist told us the same thing. It STILL hasn't gone away. He feels some sort of pressure -- not painful, to be sure, but constant -- and then the occasional zing of a nerve pain. I don't think it's as bad now as it was at the beginning, and he hasn't taken any percocet for three weeks, so that shows that it's not as horrible as it was. But it's still there and the oncologist put him on neurontin (for nerve pain) last week. we'll see if that works. At any rate, he's still got this thing, has asked all the doctors and received the same response from all of them, and is beginning to believe them ...although I think, in his heart of hearts, he still thinks it's another cancer spreading. But the PET scan showed that it wasn't, so there! By all means, keep bugging the physicians. Hope it goes away soon - sooner than Len's, anyway. We're still waiting. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayos Posted July 10, 2004 Share Posted July 10, 2004 I've been out of surgery for 10 mths...and the nerve damage pain in my trunk area has slowly become less of a problem. Like you...I've had issues with pain in my chest area ever since my right upper lobe was removed. Sometimes the skin feels kind of "dead"....it feels really weird. Give yourself some more time so your body can catch up to the trauma of major surgery. Of course if obvious swelling remains......seek help from a good doc. If infection's involved...there are other signs to watch for. The affected area could be warm or even hot to the touch....and red too. Good luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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