Life 1.5 years after open lobectomy surgery
Hello I am new to this forum. I came here in hopes that i could find some incite about an issue I am having.
I had an open lobectomy on February 28, 2020. I am completely healed besides a small amount of nerve damage under my breast and down my right abdomen area. I am however having an issue with something weird that i have been feeling when i make certain movements. I am a fairly active person now and life is very close to what it was before my surgery. My issue is that sometimes when i move in a certain way it feels as though I have the top part of my lung in between my ribs and i can not get it out unless i stand up raise my right arm and get it to come out of my ribs. I do not feel any pain when this happens but its very uncomfortable for me. The only way i've found to explain this occurrence, is to say that it reminds me of when i was pregnant. My baby would stick their hands or feet in between my ribs. It is the same feeling but I know its not supposed to be happening so it worries me.
Am I feeling something normal for this surgery or am i alone and should i speak to my surgeon?
Hi Niki624, I apologize when I say this but that sounds truly horrifying. I have not had the same surgery however I did have a wedge resection. I have not experienced this and I also have not heard of anyone describing this type of discomfort. It is always best to reach out to your care team, in your case it sounds like the surgeon should be able to discuss this matter with you. If this is something that happens quite often, I would seek out an answer sooner than later. I am thinking of you during this time and hope that you can find the answer you are looking for! Best, Diane - Lungcancer.net moderator
Thank you for asking this interesting point, as others who may have gone through the same procedure may be having the same issue. I can say it's always the best idea in reaching out to your medical team, as each recovery is so very different for each person. Always when in doubt ask questions, especially one such as this. Please be in contact and let us know how this turns out. Wishing you the very best! 
Last night I sent a message to my surgeon. Just waiting for the answer now. I will let you know what they say.
Hi
. So glad to hear your have reached out to your surgeon. I did some research and did not find your specific issue (note: this was by no means exhaustive. It does look like setting the proper pleural pressure to fit the individual patient is necessary to avoid some post-surgery complications (see: https://jxym.amegroups.com/article/view/4405/5210). Do you mind if I ask if you had a particularly complex case? I ask because open lobectomy has decreased in usage in recent years and now is predominantly used for complex cases (see section on open lobectomy here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553123/). Hoping you get some answers and relief soon. Please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing. Best, Richard (LungCancer.net Team)
Hi Richard,
I have been trying to research it myself. I also did not have any luck.
Thanks for your question. I was diagnosed with a 2.2cm neuroendocrine carcinoma tumor in the upper right middle lobe of the right lung.It was a very slow growing tumor. They said it could have been there for many years.
I had the entire middle lobe removed and they examined 11 lymph nodes. I am not aware that it could have been done another way. They never mentioned the vats to me. I was told that the carcinoma was basically a ball of hormones and that it needed to come out as untouched as possible so that not to make those hormones go into my body as much as possible. Surprisingly enough my best friend from high school had the same exact type of tumor removed from her middle lobe as well. It was a bit smaller and also at a different placement, more towards the right side at the rib area. She had the VATs done.
