Lobectomy

[HairGirl]

As mine is approching I know there are several on this site who have had a lobectomy, just have a few questions for ya'.

What lead to the decision for your lobectomy
What part was removed
When and Where did you have it done
What was the recovery like
How do you feel now
Any questions I should ask the dr.

I don't have a date yet, I'm thinking the end of Jan. we meet with the Thoracic Surgeon on Jan. 9th.

Thanks<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[HairGirl]

As mine is approching I know there are several on this site who have had a lobectomy, just have a few questions for ya'.

What lead to the decision for your lobectomy
What part was removed
When and Where did you have it done
What was the recovery like
How do you feel now
Any questions I should ask the dr.

I don't have a date yet, I'm thinking the end of Jan. we meet with the Thoracic Surgeon on Jan. 9th.

Thanks<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[HairGirl]

As mine is approching I know there are several on this site who have had a lobectomy, just have a few questions for ya'.

What lead to the decision for your lobectomy
What part was removed
When and Where did you have it done
What was the recovery like
How do you feel now
Any questions I should ask the dr.

I don't have a date yet, I'm thinking the end of Jan. we meet with the Thoracic Surgeon on Jan. 9th.

Thanks<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Hermit]

I've never had a lobectomy so I can't help you there, but I just want to pass on my encouragement and good luck juju!

I hope it makes you feel SOOO much better, and that it stops all that annoying bleeding. Didja know, if you get a lobe out the lungs can grow up into that space and replace it with working lung? It happened to me when my right upper lobe collapsed--now I have a nice area of clear lung moving up into there. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I'm sure you'll do GREAT!

love
Chris

 

[Hermit]

I've never had a lobectomy so I can't help you there, but I just want to pass on my encouragement and good luck juju!

I hope it makes you feel SOOO much better, and that it stops all that annoying bleeding. Didja know, if you get a lobe out the lungs can grow up into that space and replace it with working lung? It happened to me when my right upper lobe collapsed--now I have a nice area of clear lung moving up into there. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I'm sure you'll do GREAT!

love
Chris

 

[Hermit]

I've never had a lobectomy so I can't help you there, but I just want to pass on my encouragement and good luck juju!

I hope it makes you feel SOOO much better, and that it stops all that annoying bleeding. Didja know, if you get a lobe out the lungs can grow up into that space and replace it with working lung? It happened to me when my right upper lobe collapsed--now I have a nice area of clear lung moving up into there. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I'm sure you'll do GREAT!

love
Chris

 

[loredana]

Hi There Hairgirl - Good luck on the lobectomy. I had mine 20 years ago and am going strong. I answer the questions below.


What lead to the decision for your lobectomy - the lobe was collapsed even though I didn't know it at the time and had approximately 250 cc of pus accumulated in it - ewwwwwwwww! I have diffuse bronchiectasis throughout all lobes but obviously the left upper was the worst one.

What part was removed - left upper lobe.

When and Where did you have it done - July of 1986 in ND (I was not diagnosed with CF yet at the time)

What was the recovery like - As I remember it (again it was 20 years ago so memories have faded) the first week and a half to two were the most difficult. I don't think I felt completely up to par for at least 3-4 months after the procedure but for a while after the lobectomy I could sleep lying flat which I hadn't been able to do for years.

How do you feel now - Can't complain, I had had some heavy bleeding episodes prior to the lobectomy and they stopped for awhile. I now have episodes of hemoptysis but knock on wood not what I had before it. I really think that the lobectomy was a good thing in my case.

Any questions I should ask the dr. - can't really think of anything.

Again, good luck!

Be well,

Lori
44 pwcf

 

[loredana]

Hi There Hairgirl - Good luck on the lobectomy. I had mine 20 years ago and am going strong. I answer the questions below.


What lead to the decision for your lobectomy - the lobe was collapsed even though I didn't know it at the time and had approximately 250 cc of pus accumulated in it - ewwwwwwwww! I have diffuse bronchiectasis throughout all lobes but obviously the left upper was the worst one.

What part was removed - left upper lobe.

When and Where did you have it done - July of 1986 in ND (I was not diagnosed with CF yet at the time)

What was the recovery like - As I remember it (again it was 20 years ago so memories have faded) the first week and a half to two were the most difficult. I don't think I felt completely up to par for at least 3-4 months after the procedure but for a while after the lobectomy I could sleep lying flat which I hadn't been able to do for years.

How do you feel now - Can't complain, I had had some heavy bleeding episodes prior to the lobectomy and they stopped for awhile. I now have episodes of hemoptysis but knock on wood not what I had before it. I really think that the lobectomy was a good thing in my case.

Any questions I should ask the dr. - can't really think of anything.

Again, good luck!

Be well,

Lori
44 pwcf

 

[loredana]

Hi There Hairgirl - Good luck on the lobectomy. I had mine 20 years ago and am going strong. I answer the questions below.


What lead to the decision for your lobectomy - the lobe was collapsed even though I didn't know it at the time and had approximately 250 cc of pus accumulated in it - ewwwwwwwww! I have diffuse bronchiectasis throughout all lobes but obviously the left upper was the worst one.

What part was removed - left upper lobe.

When and Where did you have it done - July of 1986 in ND (I was not diagnosed with CF yet at the time)

What was the recovery like - As I remember it (again it was 20 years ago so memories have faded) the first week and a half to two were the most difficult. I don't think I felt completely up to par for at least 3-4 months after the procedure but for a while after the lobectomy I could sleep lying flat which I hadn't been able to do for years.

How do you feel now - Can't complain, I had had some heavy bleeding episodes prior to the lobectomy and they stopped for awhile. I now have episodes of hemoptysis but knock on wood not what I had before it. I really think that the lobectomy was a good thing in my case.

Any questions I should ask the dr. - can't really think of anything.

Again, good luck!

Be well,

Lori
44 pwcf

 

[mum2kj]

Good luck with your lobectomy Hairgirl. I hope it makes you feel heaps better.

Hermit, I had no idea that the lung can regrow a lobe, thats amazing <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I hope more people respond to this post as it is something that has been mentioned to Kj as a future treatment.

 

[mum2kj]

Good luck with your lobectomy Hairgirl. I hope it makes you feel heaps better.

Hermit, I had no idea that the lung can regrow a lobe, thats amazing <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I hope more people respond to this post as it is something that has been mentioned to Kj as a future treatment.

 

[mum2kj]

Good luck with your lobectomy Hairgirl. I hope it makes you feel heaps better.

Hermit, I had no idea that the lung can regrow a lobe, thats amazing <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I hope more people respond to this post as it is something that has been mentioned to Kj as a future treatment.

 

[HairGirl]

Chris, I asked the dr. that and he said the lung doesn't grow, it just moves to fill the space, so maybe since it isn't so squished there is more room to breathe? I wish it did grow because I was hoping that would happen to me and I would get some good lung function back.

Thanks Lori, glad to know it's helped you alot. I hope I get 20 years out of this.

I know there's a couple more out there!

 

[HairGirl]

Chris, I asked the dr. that and he said the lung doesn't grow, it just moves to fill the space, so maybe since it isn't so squished there is more room to breathe? I wish it did grow because I was hoping that would happen to me and I would get some good lung function back.

Thanks Lori, glad to know it's helped you alot. I hope I get 20 years out of this.

I know there's a couple more out there!

 

[HairGirl]

Chris, I asked the dr. that and he said the lung doesn't grow, it just moves to fill the space, so maybe since it isn't so squished there is more room to breathe? I wish it did grow because I was hoping that would happen to me and I would get some good lung function back.

Thanks Lori, glad to know it's helped you alot. I hope I get 20 years out of this.

I know there's a couple more out there!

 

[Emily65Roses]

Totally unrelated, but I had to share... Every time I see this thread, I have to look twice, because at first glance I think it says "lobotomy" haaaahhh.

 

[Emily65Roses]

Totally unrelated, but I had to share... Every time I see this thread, I have to look twice, because at first glance I think it says "lobotomy" haaaahhh.

 

[Emily65Roses]

Totally unrelated, but I had to share... Every time I see this thread, I have to look twice, because at first glance I think it says "lobotomy" haaaahhh.

 

[rotandroll]

I had a lobectomy almost 10 years ago.

What lead to the decision for your lobectomy? A severely infected, chronically collapsed lobe that was reinfecting the rest of my lung.

What part was removed? The lower left lobe.

When and Where did you have it done? 1997, under the care of pulmonologists as well as a really amazing surgical team (the same surgeon who has placed all of my ports). Denver Children's Hospital.

What was the recovery like? It was difficult, painful and took many months. I was hospitalized for four weeks in all. I went in quite sick, though. Healing time is different with everyone.

How do you feel now? I feel fine, regarding the missing lobe. I had pain relating to that site for several years, and it took about two years for touch sensation to return to the surgical area. I have a seven or eight inch scar on the left upper side of my chest, as well as chest tube scars below. I guess a lot of the time this procedure can be done orthoscopically. The numbness actually extended along the lower part of my left breast as well.

Any questions I should ask the dr.? One thing that surprised me is I was not to do any PFT testing for about six months after the surgery. Ask your doctor when would be a safe time to start PFTs again, and also what percentage of lung functions they estimate you will lose because of the lobe(s) that will be remove(d).

Another concern I had issues with regarding a missing lobe is that during the lavage portion of a bronchoscopy there needs to be less amount of
saline flushed into the affected area of the lungs. It's easy to put too much and not take it all out-- I was left with a considerable amount of fluid in my remaining left lobe at one point about seven years ago and still have problems because of it.

Hope this helps.

 

[rotandroll]

I had a lobectomy almost 10 years ago.

What lead to the decision for your lobectomy? A severely infected, chronically collapsed lobe that was reinfecting the rest of my lung.

What part was removed? The lower left lobe.

When and Where did you have it done? 1997, under the care of pulmonologists as well as a really amazing surgical team (the same surgeon who has placed all of my ports). Denver Children's Hospital.

What was the recovery like? It was difficult, painful and took many months. I was hospitalized for four weeks in all. I went in quite sick, though. Healing time is different with everyone.

How do you feel now? I feel fine, regarding the missing lobe. I had pain relating to that site for several years, and it took about two years for touch sensation to return to the surgical area. I have a seven or eight inch scar on the left upper side of my chest, as well as chest tube scars below. I guess a lot of the time this procedure can be done orthoscopically. The numbness actually extended along the lower part of my left breast as well.

Any questions I should ask the dr.? One thing that surprised me is I was not to do any PFT testing for about six months after the surgery. Ask your doctor when would be a safe time to start PFTs again, and also what percentage of lung functions they estimate you will lose because of the lobe(s) that will be remove(d).

Another concern I had issues with regarding a missing lobe is that during the lavage portion of a bronchoscopy there needs to be less amount of
saline flushed into the affected area of the lungs. It's easy to put too much and not take it all out-- I was left with a considerable amount of fluid in my remaining left lobe at one point about seven years ago and still have problems because of it.

Hope this helps.