Hi Hilts and all,

It is interesting the subtle differences between trusts. It may be because of the complications after the initial surgery that a CT scan will take place. Really hoping Kev's left lung has fully expanded. Apparently a small pleural effusion was still there after the VATS thoroscopy and decortication. However he is still using the spirometer and can easily hit 4000 now so fingers crossed it's a good sign. 

Overall he is doing well, next few days will be tough but like Sally said heading for the finish line and hopefully we can get some normality back.

As you say your husband has had his cough a long time so odds are it's to do with new plumbing but I understand your mind racing. Hope you get an appointment soon and they can sort it.

Andi - all the best for your laparoscopy. My husband decided to sleep on his back for a week or so post laparoscopy op. The wedge pillow I mentioned may help you too. Quick delivery if you decide to get one.

Keeping the faith

Milly 

Ah - didn't realise the pillow was fit after laparoscopy - will send fir one tonight - thank you xx

Hey y'all, 

Andi47- looking at this with a bit of a tongue-in-cheek job. you'll know nothing about the laparoscopy as you will be nicely asleep. While I'm on that tranche same goes for the actual op. My husband woke up after the main event and was like "oh, I'm done then". Myself and Millie as onlookers had weed free gardens after (: However, being human we ALL love to overthink it and no doubt google it and come up with all the absolute worst scenarios (: like coming out with no legs or arms LOL. I had my gallbladder out by laparoscopy and it was honestly probably then easiest thing I've ever had done - no pain whatsoever, all I wanted when I woke was FOOOOOD(:

Millie- of course my mind is racing- why change a habit of a lifetime (: LOL. Ye, of course Kev had a lot of 'extras' in his portfolio, so scanning is pragmatic, even if the effusion is still there, then by god to be able to get up to that level,on the resistor is darn amazing, so obviously lungs working pretty darn good .

Leo- that's more like it (: I tend to loose my voice through shouting/ nagging at my 'charges' (: You sound generally 'run down' and need the rest, regardless if you'll become a 'full' member of this club or not(:

Add to that the racing brain,racing kids, work , life in general , were you forced to 'home educate' during the closures ? All  are truly exhausting mentally and physically. Your brain has been absolutely full to busting for the last 18 months , now this. Trust me- I more than 'get it' .Probably why I'm feeling so mentally crap at the mo.

As ever, this chat lightens my mood, kinda off loading in 'privacy' LOl

Keeping the faith- most of the time

Hilts

Hi Andi,

My husband used pillows after laparoscopy and said an elevated bed would have made it easier and it will help after the 'biggee' too. The surgeons are very skilled and the nurses and staff are brilliant . We are so lucky to have the NHS and dedicated staff.

keeping the faith

Milly

Couldn't agree more Milly - NHS are just amazing. I know I'm getting the best treatment available. Have ordered pillow xx

hi leo25daisy

you will find there is a wealth of knowledge and support scattered throughout the 40 odd pages on this forum , as you are at the start of your journey you might find it helpful to look into this archive , some of us have been posting for over a year and have covered everything from pre diagnosis to recovery bearing in mind none of the advice is clinical , everyone is  happy to share hints and tips however trivial  the problem might seem at the time ,  nothing is hidden on here you can tell it like it is , anyway just ask anything you like on here and we are all glad to help if we can , take it easy.

regards

Douglas

Hiya Douglas

Much appreciated :-) these are literally the two longest weeks of my life, hoping the waiting list officer for Endoscopy can give me a date tomorrow as at least I'll know what's happening then.

I know we've lost a lot of our theatres at work at the moment due to a rise in covid cases, so not sure if that'll have any effect on when my dates going to come through.

Slept 17 hours last night and still feeling exhausted now, considering as my coughs getting worse maybe taking tomorrow off work and booking  a pcr test just to be doubly sure it's not covid related. It would be just my level of luck that I've thought this was a chest infection due to negative Lateral flows for it to be covid instead 

HI again Lo25 daisy 

Sorry to hear about your delayed endoscopy which is the crucial first element in diagnosis as a procedure it is not stressful at all , when i got mine in January 2020 i watched the whole thing and actually looked at the source of my problem , fingers crossed at your age you have a different ptoblem i had suffered from swallowing disorders from my early 20's which were not cancer related so here's hoping you are the same , otherwise once the NHS machine kicks into action it's a real whirlwind affair and before you know it your where i am today 20 months down the line hopefully cured  and left wondering what all the fuss was about , you take care now , any questions just ask 

Regards

Douglas

Well some good news at least. After me chasing the Endoscopy department (the waiting list officer for 2 week waits is on annual leave til the 28th), they've booked me in for an Endoscopy on Sunday morning. I'll be isolating from Friday evening as soon as I finish my shift and have a PCR done. 

I understand if they need to take biopsies they do this at the same time?