I was told in August 2016 that I had a rare spindle cell. I had an upper right lobectomy done in October 2016. I experience slight pain and numbness in my ribs and pain that feels like is inside or behind my right breast. Unfortunately my right breast is numb as well. It had a slight impact on my sex life but I'd rather be healthy.  

My husband still has pain after 4 years...

Hi Kaz2,  Hope you are fit and wel. . (I know, everyone says that!) I had lower right lung lobectomy and what they call a wedge section, or similar, on my right lung.  Yes, recovery takes a while but sounds like that you’re a lot younger than I am (66).  I’ve had several ‘side effects’ from chemo (neuropathy etc) but more drugs are helping. I had a pain in my right breast and almost convinced myself I had breast cancer. But, working inwards from my op scars I realised it matched the pain in my ribs. (Obviously they have to ‘snap’ a couple of ribs to get to the lung). It is 10 months ago since my op and I still have pain.  I have learned to live with it, drives me mad at times, but I am here and breathing! I also get pains in my back, same area as the front, so it’s all relevant. So I would imagine from reading up on CRUK and MacMillan websites that all of this is ‘normal’.  So you are not alone, lol.  I’ve had 3 CT scans and each have been ‘worrying’, but not to the point of ‘we’ve missed something’. The Oncologist has said probably general inflammation ( I had a severe cold during last 2 weeks of Chemo), then 4 months later I had my ‘Flu jab’, another urrrgh on my scan, again said to be ‘inflammation’, Oncologist not worried, no need for biopsy etc., so everything is OK go back in 3 months. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I chew my finger ends off, but outwardly convince everyone that I feel positive that there’s nothing to worry about. Until I lay in bed thinking ‘what if......’ BUT I have to think forwards (not positive - cos that word REALLY pisses me off, sorry!) and of the wonderful things that I can do with my Grandchildren, especially as Christmas is coming up. SO I say look FORWARD, you’re still here, take each day as it comes and get ready to explore the rest of your life ️ ️

Some of the pain could be from nerve damage. I have had two lung cancer operation in the last 5 years and also thought i could have had breast cancer. On my last appointment with the oncologist was told it was possibly nerve damage. 

Hi Karen

Your message lets me know I am not alone. I had my operation to remove top of right lung 5 weeks ago and have been in constant pain since. All I can do is sit with hot water bottles.  Being in pain is very worrying but it sounds like what you are expereincing . I have pain that goes through my back like a knife and out the front through my breast and centrally between breasts. I take nerve blockers  but nothing seems to stop the pain. Exercising makes it worse. I just wish it would start to go even 5 weeks of constant pain is enough , if you have it 10 months on that really worries me

Hi Cathy

My post was in 2013 and my pain went away some months later so please stay positive.  I think it's just such a big op and nerves etc are disrupted that it takes a long time to recover.

my cancer came back in 2015 and after radiotherapy went back into remission until the end of 2019.  It then came back in a lymph node in my chest and I am currently undergoing a new trial.  So hoping that stops it in it's track again.  It's 11 years this year since I was first diagnosed.

hope things pick up soon for you x

Hiya Jules, I read your post and thought OMG!! I'm moaning (to myself) after 2 years. I have constant pain around my ribs. I had a lower right lobectomy and an an upper right wedge removal in 2019. Unfortunately I developed pneumonia and Sepsis within 10 hours of surgery. So, induced coma, ventilator etc., for around 14days. Extremely strange experience, unconscious, obviously could not speak, yet I could hear most conversations. That included one medic telling my daughter that I would probably die!! I had mental visions of being buried alive, TRULY! I really do not know how it was possible but I moved a finger, which was close to my son in law, I actually heard him say 'She's just moved her finger', medic relied 'not possible'. But luckily my s-i-l works for the NHS and would NOT be quiet, lol! Anyway, that's by the by. Eventually, after several attempts, I was weaned off the ventilator and proceeded to recover. Not easy but thank goodness. I'm giving you these details to ensure fellow 'sufferers' that there definitely IS light at the end of the very dark, harrowing tunnel. After FANTASTIC care at Critical Care Unit - I was transferred to a recovery ward. A five day estimated stay turned to 3.5 weeks. Once home, everything moved along well enough. I then had 12.weeks of Chemotherapy as a booster. AWFUL, but helpful, lol. My problems are neuropathic pain in balls of my feet, difficulty walking, insomnia (a lot of it due to morphine pain relief - nightmares etc) and extreme lethargy. BUT as I say to my family, I may not be 100% but I'm definitely alive and BREATHING. After reading your post, Jules, I've had my post Chemo problems only a short time. Although I still experience sever rib pain (VAS - break a couple of ribs etc) I hope that you are fit and well and in less pain now. What with COVID and shielding for the best part of a year I'm a bit fed up BUT still breathing, lol Sending huge HUGS.