Well, maybe my experiences might help you with what to expect Hairgirl. I have had two surgeries for the same reason you will be undergoing yours, hemoptysis!
When I was 19 I had my left upper lobe removed after undergoing many episodes of hemoptysis. As far as the surgery, well, as Khristina says, "it's no walk in the park." The first two weeks after surgery I fell very weak and I did experience a lot of pain. But with each passing day I got stronger and the pain lessened. Within a month I was back to my full time school schedule. For the next 19 years I did really well and did not have much bleeding. I had only one major one several years later when I was 6 weeks pregnant, but that was a unique incident and other than that any other bleeds were very minor. I went on to have two more children after the first one with no bleeding issues.
At 38 I again experienced major episodes of bleeding and was in and out of the hospital every 3 months for 2 years undergoing embolizations and IV"S but nothing worked. There was no choice but to remove the rest of my left lung. That surgery was more difficult because they were going into an area that had already been operated on and there was a lot of scar tissue built up. Thankfully the surgery went well. After 5 days I was home from the hospital. For a total of 3 weeks I experienced what I felt was intense pain which was treated with morphine pills. As soon as I got home from the hospital I started to take my pain medication as prescribed but after I week I then spaced the pills further apart (instead of every 4 hours I would go 4 1/4 hours, then 4 ½ then 5 etc... ) because I did not want to become dependant on them. Within 3 weeks of being home I was off my pain med. Upon returning home I also wanted to start exercising. So I started off by walking one minute on my treadmill. What an achievement! Then the next day I walked 2 minutes. The next day I walked 3 minutes and well you get the picture. Within a month I was walking 30 minutes a day then before you know it I was walking 60 minutes a day. Within 5 weeks of surgery I was off with my family on our annual vacation to Lake George NY.
Having both surgeries really improved the quality of my life. I do not miss my left lung at all. I have not had a major bleed since the last surgery 7 years ago. I do on occasion have a streak or a tiny splat of blood, less than a 1/4 teaspoon, maybe 2 or 3 times a year which my doctor then puts me on an oral course of antibiotics to treat.
My FEV is 45 and I will be turning 48 next week. I am very compliant with my exercise and medications. If there is anything else I can answer for you please just ask.
I will be thinking of you and praying that all goes well for you.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
