hi i have had one lung since 1989, i have done everything that i used to do from running to other physical activity. the key is take care of yourself and believe in yourself. I was told long time ago that GOD gave us two of certain parts so we can move on with the other.
I am 69. At 50, my doctor discovered I had been living with 2/3 of my right lung inoperative. I had always played golf but at school and elsewhere, running or walking uphill tired me quickly. I could do 36 holes of golf a day...walking at normal speed. I now find I have good endurance but if I walk uphill, my pulse, normally 66, shoots up to 125 in less than 50 yards. I use the treadmill at the gym 3 - 4 times a week and can do 60 minutes at 3.1 to 3.5 MPH and 1 - 4 per cent uphill grade; my pulse gets to 130 and averages 113 yesterday. I weigh 230 lb; do not smoke and never have; have found I walk more slowly than 10 years ago and now really hate uphill walking. I use a sleep apnea machine at night. MY view? Living with 66 per cent capacity is manageable, but I hate to think what would happen if I did not exercise at the gym each day.
Can you live with one lung
Your daughter will be fine! I was born with congenital emphysema and had my left lung removed when I was 15 weeks old (this was back in 1978). Since then, I have lived a VERY full life, gave birth to three children (without any issues or concerns or extra medication), and lead an active lifestyle. I do keep a rescue inhaler with me (due to my allergies) and regularly sit at 44% lung capacity when tested.
One lung, for me, has meant no limits on what I can do (except long distance running). Sometimes it makes getting a chest cold more uncomfortable but honestly, besides people asking if I have asthma, no one can tell a difference. And at the end of the day, I have no recollection of a life without one lung.
Your child is only "disabled" if you raise her to be. However, if you raise her challenging her to TRY everything and DO whatever she sets her mind to, her lung will be up to the task and she will figure out what she is comfortable doing. Best of luck!
One lung, for me, has meant no limits on what I can do (except long distance running). Sometimes it makes getting a chest cold more uncomfortable but honestly, besides people asking if I have asthma, no one can tell a difference. And at the end of the day, I have no recollection of a life without one lung.
Your child is only "disabled" if you raise her to be. However, if you raise her challenging her to TRY everything and DO whatever she sets her mind to, her lung will be up to the task and she will figure out what she is comfortable doing. Best of luck!
You will be ok. As a child born with congenital emphysema (left lung removed at 15 weeks), your child will not know anything different. They will still act like all other babies and be healthy like other babies. The only "drawbacks" to living with one lung (if you can call it that) is you do get winded with long-term high intensity cardio workouts (ie running distances), but often a small rest to get on top of your breathing and you are back in the game, so to speak.
Remember, having only one lung is not a "disability"! Your child will tell you when they cannot handle the activity... please don't constantly remind them of their condition, just let them try things and figure out what they like to do physically. The body is an amazing, adjustable thing.
Side-note: the only medication I have had to take for my lung is a rescue albuterol inhaler (more for allergies but as it dialates the bronchial tubes I mention it here). That is all.
Best of luck!
Remember, having only one lung is not a "disability"! Your child will tell you when they cannot handle the activity... please don't constantly remind them of their condition, just let them try things and figure out what they like to do physically. The body is an amazing, adjustable thing.
Side-note: the only medication I have had to take for my lung is a rescue albuterol inhaler (more for allergies but as it dialates the bronchial tubes I mention it here). That is all.
Best of luck!
Hello fellow childhood emphysema survivor! I was 15 weeks when my left lung was removed for congenital emphysema (that was almost 40 years ago). It hasn't stopped me either. I ride horses, hike, had three children (all drug free births), and continue to lead a highly active lifestyle. it's all about attitude. Well done!!!
My one year anniversary will be April 26th . Upper left lobe gone with cancer. I am 69 and didnt totally quit smoking till 61. 1st of all the surgery and 5 month recovery was painful. The cancer spread to lymph nodes. Chemo didn't work, radiation ruled out due to possible damage to other lung tissue. Right lung diseased with fibrosis. Currently on oxygen 24/7 at a rate of 6 while sitting.
I need a flow of at least 8 to go to the bathroom or walk to my scooter. Can't walk too far as the chemo fried my feet. On Opdivo which has slowed the cancer otherwise I would be dead which is still in my immediate future. I would not do it again.
He just has to believe that 1 of a thing does not mean failure but 1 of a thing makes you stronger in a whole.
you had to get used to living normally for you? you said you were born with one lung so i would assume things didn't get hard but instead they were hard and maybe got harder.
I've been living with one lung for 30 years. Mine was removed when i was 8. You will learn to survive, normal activities are fine. I do walk and yoga. I manage to earn an Advance Diving license and just last year i manage to hike up Yosemite Sentinel Dome. Is harder than normal person, need more time as i run out of breath easily but is do-able.
I just found this forum and your post. I just had my left lung removed (5 weeks ago) due to a carcinoid tumor that had blocked the lower lobe and was sitting near the y-intersection of the airway. Same as you they had to remove the entire lung so there wouldn't be any cancer cells left behind. Your post has encouraged me since we are similar (I've never smoked, always been healthy & active and a positive outlook). Did you go through any post-surgical depression? I have never experienced depression but it has set in and is very difficult. Thank you again for sharing your experience. It helped me to read it!
I never smoked but I was forced to smell it from family and waiting for buses. When it first happened I was in ICU after my surgery. I had uncomfortable tube in me. They hurt to keep water off my lungs. I had PT and OT. I got sent to a nursing home great care. I was home but my side hurt. Hug a pillow it's the best friend. Advil helps a lot.
Mine too I had middle part of my lung removed. I have one left bad lung from Hodgkins and my right lung middle missing. After surgery mine hurt and it still hurts to at times and out of breath. Mine been two years ago and still out of breath. It hurts and coughing is bad.
Hi there. I wanted to reply to you - I haven't commented on this thread before, but was prompted because your situation sounds so similar to mine. I had my left lung removed 17 years ago, because of a carcinoid tumour in my left bronchial tube. Same thing as you describe - in order to make sure they had the whole tumour, they had to take the entire lung. Perfectly health lung - I was not a smoker, and was only 23 years old at the time. I am not sure how old you are. I was told by a nurse before the operation that living with one lung would be like living with the hand-break on. I was so MAD! But the anger was good for me. I didn't get depressed. After my six weeks or so of recovery, I started training with with a personal trainer. At first I could swim less than half a length of a 25 yard pool, and could run for 30 seconds only. But I trained regularly and eventually started to train with a triathlon club. I had always wanted to do a triathlon and I was determined to prove that nurse wrong by completing one after my operation. Well, I did my first sprint triathlon within a year and a half of losing my lung. Then I kept at it and was a triathlete for six years, including completing two half-ironman triathlons. I was never going to be fast, but my endurance was great. I have since stopped the triathlon life and had two kids. I still work out all the time. Because I trained the way I did shortly after my operation, I have never felt that having one lung has hampered me at all - in fact, I have often felt fitter than most people around me who have two lungs! I do find that when I stop training, I get short of breath when I climb stairs. But so do most people, if they don't work at staying fit. I think one reason I didn't succumb to depression after the operation is that I was just so glad it was not worse - that the tumour was not malignant, that I didn't have cancer, that I still had my life ahead of me. I am so sorry you are feeling depressed. I am hopeful that you will take some solace in my story - I really still feel I can do ANYTHING, even with one lung. I still talk of completing an Ironman some day. I have run many half-marathons and will one day do a marathon. I have traveled the world and had two kids and had a terrific career - no one would guess I only have one lung. There is no reason to let this slow you down or change the course of your life. Recover, and get out there! There is an initial challenge to be overcome - you need to train up (no need to become a triathlete!) so that you can get back to walking and running as you used to. After that, you can put this behind you and carry on. I think this will make you stronger and more resilient - which can only help you in all kinds of areas of your life. I know you can do it. Good luck!!