Damage during VATS surgery

dshobbies · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2011, 08:19 PM

Judy,

We all hope this surgery works for you and your breathing can get back to normal. My fingers are crossed.

Dale

jsewell · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2011, 05:47 PM

I emailed my endocrinologist to let him know how the test went at Cedars Sinai hospital. I told him it was available on line. He is on staff there and emailed it to me sat morning. I am so glad as i have not received it from the hospital yet. I sent it to all doctors involved or asking to be involved. DrKrieger's office is setting up an apt. with a thoracic surgeon for me . I should here early next week. My pulmonologist said it is nothing we didn't already know. Of course he totally disapproved of me even having the nerve tested! The report came out with a slight weakness on both sides of the nerve, but also a 35% decrease on the injured side. so at 45% lung capacity now, i would go up to 80% lung capacity if the surgery worked. Big difference for me.
My pulmonologist thought it was a little improvement and maybe not worth the risk. A friend of mine said, i bet if you tell him he is getting a 35% decrease in pay it would no longer be a little !!!
So i hope it all happens soon. But once again i am just recovering from a big surgery and headed into another one. Story of my last 3 years.
judy

dshobbies · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2011, 06:46 PM

Judy,

Here's hoping you can look back at this time in your life as your 'surgical era' and never have to deal with anything like this again. Twenty or so years ago I recall only being hospitalized for giving birth. Now I don't even want to count the surgeries I've had (really not all that many). Even if the surgery fixes whatever as intended, getting over the surgery takes a lot out of us.

So if this works, your era is done, finished, over, caput and you can finally get on with your life. My fingers are crossed. When is your surgery?

Dale

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2011, 08:28 PM

Go girl while you've got that steam! It's exciting to read that you have that much possibility of improvement! Am looking forward to reading more and am cheering for you in my little corner of So.Cal! Go Judy, go Judy, go Judy!!!!

jsewell · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2011, 01:35 AM

Dale, i am not sure about this being the end of surgery , i still have a few more problems to deal with .
Maria thanks for the cheering on, from my little corner of so,. cal. Sierra Madre is a really little town.
judy

jsewell · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 04:29 AM

My pulmonologist derailed any hope of having the nerve surgery. I had a message on my phone on monday saying that the neurosurgeon had spoken to my pulmonologist and they had decided surgery was not a good option. My pulm. has never been for even finding out if the nerve was damaged. He keeps going back and forth blaming other things which have been corrected. Like my severe kyphosis. He just keeps saying my problem is ventilation. No kidding, i can't get enough oxygen in and everything works fine. Except my diaphragm muscle and my phrenic nerve. He just won't accept that and told me the surgeon would do more harm than good.,
He is used to handling nerves so i don't know why he would say that. I cried all day monday and little bits yesterday and today. I spoke with both doctors on monday and was sill kind of in shock and did not ask the right questions .
Oh i was so looking forward to breathing normally again. And having energy. I am told i am so tired all the time because i use all my energy to breathe.
life goes on and i am lucky for that.
judy

Maria · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 06:53 AM

Judy,
Sorry to hear your pulmonologist didn't want to support the decision for surgery and at this time has dashed your hopes. Do you think perhaps you'd consider getting several more top calibur pulmonology consults to see what another pulmonary person might say? Not that you'd want to switch specialists though just wondering it as it seems worth checking out if you're able.

I realize this specialist knows your case and must have your best interest in mind (being able to breath on your own however limited) though I wonder if he is also staying in a comfort zone and the other surgeon most likely wouldn't proceed if your Primary specialist isn't going agree. Not that another pulmonologist would agree either although maybe have a more open mind or have some experience w/this (somewhere in this country or another)?

This suggestion might not even be viable considering it takes so much energy for you to breathe let alone do other things that take energy re travel and such.
I know I'd be bitterly disappointed as well altho hopefully be glad to be breathing as well. I'm hoping something will work out for you on with this.