Next Step: Robotic Lung Surgery
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Next Step: Robotic Lung Surgery

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Next Step: Robotic Lung Surgery

  • Post
    • November 2, 2018 at 12:15 am
    AMcReader
    Participant

    Hello fellow fighters,

    I got the results of my latest body scans and although one of the tumors has shrunk some more, another one has grown by 1CM since July. It wasn’t terrible news but, of course, not what we were hoping for. My oncologist still believes Nivo has been working wonders for me — after brain surgery in March that removed a fist-sized tumor in it’s entirety a new tumor popped up in the month between that surgery and when I did my MRI for SRS and since the SRS and Nivo my brain has been NED. So, since the Nivo seems to be working everywhere else, she doesn’t want to add in Ipi just yet and instead wants to remove the tumors that remain in my lungs, rendering me NED. Her hesitation with adding Ipi is that I am young and, as we all know, the effects of Ipi are no joke and can require long-term steroid use. I’m in agreement with this plan but I’m hoping to hear from those of you who have had robotic lung surgery:

    1. How long was your recovery post-surgery?

    2. I’m told the incisions should be small but how long will I need to dodge the hugs and climbing of my 8month old?

    3. If you have a desk job where you can occasionally work from home, how soon we’re you able to go back to work?

    4. Anything else I should know or ask about before meeting with the surgeon next week?

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  • Replies
      • November 2, 2018 at 5:01 am
      Coragirl
      Participant

      Hi Amanda, I can't answer your questions but I can tell you that you are in my thoughts and prayers. 

        • November 3, 2018 at 12:46 pm
        AMcReader
        Participant

        Thank you, Amie! Your family is in my thoughts and prayers too!

      • November 2, 2018 at 3:02 pm
      doragsda
      Participant

      Hopefully someone will jump in with direct experience, but I have read repeatedly that the robotic surgeries tend to be much less debilitating than conventional surgery.

      My good friend had robotic surgery last year to completely remove his cancerous prostate.   Either 4 or 6 small incisions in his abdomen and he was up and around the next day.   He could certainly sit at a desk and work for a couple of hours in a day or two.   You'll have some rest time, and definitely follow what they tell you in that regard, in pays off in the long run.

        • November 3, 2018 at 12:45 pm
        AMcReader
        Participant

        This is exactly what I’ve heard so far and am hoping is true for me too! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

      • November 2, 2018 at 11:33 pm
      Julie in SoCal
      Participant

      Hi Amanda,

      It sounds like you've got a good plan!

      I didn't have robotic lung surgery, but rather VATS (also considered minimally invasive).  After the surgery the biggest challenge I had was the chest tube.  No matter what I did it just sat wrong.  Furtunately I didn't have it when I left the hospital.

      I have a desk job, at home and was back to work within a few days.  I wasn't up to my normal stamina, and the pain meds made me sleepy, but I was able to do a few of my less challenging reports.  It probably took me a full week to 10 days at home to feel somewhat comfortable with what I was doing.

      Oh yea, and then there was the incision in the bra zone.  Took me a little while before I was comfortable with wearing a bra and not just a sports bra.  So you might want to ask your doc where the incisions will be and prepare accordingly.

      I would imagine you'll want to avoid pushing on (ie hugs) for a couple of weeks on whatever side the operation is on.

      The questions I asked my doc were:

      How often do you do this surgery?  success rate? complication rate?

      Why is this surgery, rather than VATS or some other surgery better?

      Pros & Cons

      Possible complications…

      Is the plan to leave the hospital with a chest tube?

      Hope this helps.

      Shalom,

      Julie

        • November 3, 2018 at 12:44 pm
        AMcReader
        Participant

        Julie, this is SO helpful! Thank you so much! Love and light to you!

      • November 3, 2018 at 5:33 pm
      MelanomaMike
      Participant
      Sister AMC! as you know im having surgery to on my RLL here in over a week, not quite Robotic but “VAT”, between the two you & i “apparently” are sittin’ pretty as far as Recovery time & less “mauling” on our beautiful bodies! May God (or your Higher Power) guide you through!!
        • November 4, 2018 at 12:29 am
        AMcReader
        Participant

        Brother Mike! We are both lucky to be getting these types of surgeries…as opposed to more invasive versions of lung surgery. I don’t have a date for my procedure yet but I think it’ll be pretty soon after yours so we’ll probably be on a pretty similar recovery schedule! If you gotta deal with this kind of stuff, it’s at least nice to have good company! Take care of yourself, my friend! I’ll be praying for you. 

      • November 4, 2018 at 5:28 pm
      Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
      Participant

      Hi Amanda

      I can't answer your questions but I was on Ipi/nivo combo and required high doses of steroids for 3 months which caused havoc on my body.  I've also had a brain tumor removed and then SRS/Nivo when it showed up at 10 days post op MRI.  Still on the nivo and still no new brain mets.

      Good wishes to you.

      Jennifer

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