How Long To Heal?

I am 73 yo and I had quit smoking 12 years ago after a 48 year habit. I thought I was in the clear but I ended up with cancer in my left lower lobe. I chose surgery over radiation. I felt surgery was more of a guarantee that the cancer would be gone entirely. I had a cancerous nodule and three enlarged nodes that were removed a week ago. They removed the lower quarter of my left lung. I am now in a nursing home for rehabilitation. The pain was worse than I was prepared for but the fact that I have such trouble breathing is what I’m having most trouble dealing with. Of course I’m on oxygen full time. I will be in here until Nov 4th. and then I think my insurance will give me some short term help at home.
I just really felt like venting and I don’t want to scare anyone who is getting this type of surgery. I won’t sugar coat it, it hurts so be prepared. What I’d like to hear from others who had this type of surgery and how long it took them to get back to some normalcy. I can only walk a short distance and I start panting and then I panic.
Laurie