Discussions
Discussions
Thoracotomy
Has anyone had a lobectomy due to mac infection and broncheatasis? The surgeon suggested removing the upper right lobe of the right lung and a portion of the lower right lobe in the right lobe where there is MAC.
Just curious if anyone else has had something similar performed. If they have, how bad was it? Did it help you?
Replies
Jackie,
I have not had a lobectomy. Where are you having this done? Do they perform many NTM related lung lobectomies there
Hi Jackie,
I had a right upper lobectomy almost ten years ago. The surgeon was Dr. John Mitchell at the University of Colorado Hospital. They are affiliated with National Jewish Health. Doctor Mitchell uses the VATS system of remote access. He makes three small incision in your side, and uses remote tools and a camera to remove the tissue. This made recovery fast and relatively easy, compared with an open chest style surgery. I am told that this also limits the possibility of spreading infection throughout your chest cavity. Prior to the lobectomy, I could not stop coughing. I had Abscessus, and I was told that drugs alone are often not enough to get rid of it. My coughing is significantly better now. I have had other NTM infections since then, but not Abscessus.
Hi Jackie,
I had an upper left lobe lobectomy about nine months ago (June 2021) with VATS. I felt a lot better before I had the surgery. The surgery was because the largest nodule was too close to a main artery to biopsy for cancer without removing the entire lobe. They suspected MAC but said there was a better chance it was cancer, then it wasn't. As I was still recovering from surgery my MAC continued to get worse and by September it was found in both lungs. I started feeling worse and was started on Big 3 antibiotics in December of last year. This whole trip has been a bear and the lung lobe removal helped with nothing. That's me; you sound like you're in a different place with this.
Mollybean,
Hello! I am so sorry to hear about the need for a love removal due to location. However, as bad as it is , it is not a form of malignant cancer.
It is extremely challenging going through the big 3, the side effects, tge fatigue, etc. However, many people do get to the other side if this over time and can lead somewhat normal lives.
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