I really appreciate this post becuase it's a very powerful reminder. I don't think it's a death sentence either but I think it definitely can be if you are negative, like you say, and it's even better to get a second opinion if a doctor is not being helpful or positive. I'm glad to hear that you're staying positive though. Thanks for your perspective!!
im sorry about your fathr i a 16 and i was born with a heath problum called tetralogy of fallot i was also born with oneworking lung so yes you can lie without it its dificult for me sometimes but bisides that i fuction pretty well so i think hell be fine
I had a collapsed lung in March 2008 that was caused by a cyst on in my left lung. After catscans and X-rays I was told they needed to remove the cyst. June 2008 they operated on me and ended up removing the lower left lobe and part of the upper left lobe of my left lungs. Doctor said the cyst was the size of a grapefruit. Sure it was scarier, but had to be done. I was in the hospital four days. The pain was nominal , but was handled with medication. I stopped taking medication after a moth or so at home.
I tried to do everything that was required after the operations. I use the breathing gauge to expand my lung and was on oxygen for around two months. Don't know if I really need the oxygen, but it was a great pacifier. I walked everyday for about 20 minutes or more and swim ten laps in the pool when possible. I followed through with stretch exercises so my muscles on my left side would not cramp up.
I smoked for over 45 years and quit before my lung collapsed in March 2008. The results came back from the biopsy and were beguine for the cyst. That was good news.
Today a year later I sometime get pain on the left side of the chest, but nothing I can't handed. I try to avoid taking any pain medication and only had to give in a few times. Breathing is a chore sometimes and shortness of breath is just something you learn to deal with. Oxygen seems to help now and then. I enjoy doing yard work but never had had a problem except getting tired easily and having to sit and rest more often. I am retired and 68 years old. Hope this information is helpful %-) .
I tried to do everything that was required after the operations. I use the breathing gauge to expand my lung and was on oxygen for around two months. Don't know if I really need the oxygen, but it was a great pacifier. I walked everyday for about 20 minutes or more and swim ten laps in the pool when possible. I followed through with stretch exercises so my muscles on my left side would not cramp up.
I smoked for over 45 years and quit before my lung collapsed in March 2008. The results came back from the biopsy and were beguine for the cyst. That was good news.
Today a year later I sometime get pain on the left side of the chest, but nothing I can't handed. I try to avoid taking any pain medication and only had to give in a few times. Breathing is a chore sometimes and shortness of breath is just something you learn to deal with. Oxygen seems to help now and then. I enjoy doing yard work but never had had a problem except getting tired easily and having to sit and rest more often. I am retired and 68 years old. Hope this information is helpful %-) .
My daughter was just diagnosed with VACTERL syndrome and was born with her right lung. She is only 1 day old and I am scared! I am scared she will not live the life I had anticpated for her. I am scared she won't be able to "be a kid" and run and play with her friends. I am scared she will not live long.....I am just scared. These posts have been helpful. I would love to hear from others who were born with only 1 lung and how things have been for them....or from parents with children in similar situations.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank everyone for their reply on living with one lung. I am a teacher and have been curious about this for years.
I teach Living Environment to special education students I was looking for interesting information on the respiratory system.
Appreciate all reply's very helpful and interesting.
I teach Living Environment to special education students I was looking for interesting information on the respiratory system.
Appreciate all reply's very helpful and interesting.
I'm 35 and had my right lung removed when I was 15. I'm currently 5 months pregnant. I'm looking for any other women that has went through this.
im was vborn with only one lung and im seventeen yes it is hard but i make the best of it and i live my life as if i have two :]
I am 33 yrs old & had my lung removed when I was 13 yrs old. I had a baby when I was 30 yrs old. I was able to carry the pregnancy with minimal resp. issues. I did experience some shortness of breath but most pregnant woman have this. My daughter was born @ 35 weeks due to pre term labor which had nothing to do with my one lung. She needed some help breathing for the 1st few weeks but is a completely normal healthy 3 yr old. I have no long term effects from carrying the pregnancy.
My 70 year old father had his right lung removed last November. Was very difficult at first for him, as he was very short of breath and would tire very easily. He's doing so much better now and is improving every day. He was in great shape when he had the surgery as he spends most of his time in the great out doors. He had right lung cancer that thankfully hadn't yet spread. He's been going through chemo treatments since January, just 4 days a month and will have last treatment next week. He's really looking forward to not having chemo anymore and getting back to normal, as chemo really makes him horribly tired, weak, sick for a good week and especially having the shot after chemo for white blook cells. He will improve remarkably after treatment and be able to get back outdoors again.
There is a new group on yahoo called One Lung Wonders to try to connect people born or living with only one lung.
I Had a Carcenoid tumor also in my airway. March 18, 2009 I had my entire Right Lung removed. I have wanted to run the St. George Marathon but my Oncologist said to "Start small". In June I hope to speed-walk a 5K. I have weird feelings under my right arm pit and side. I was told it was the Plura and the nerves are trying to regenerate. Did you have that experience?
J
J
I had surgical removal of the upper lobe of my left lung twelve
weeks ago because of cancer. The cancer was caught very early,
and I have very good odds. I do have the smaller section of the left
lobe left and the entire right. I have noticed shortness of breath
like others who have responded, but I have also notice a rise
in pulse rate which I am having evaluated now. I really appreciate
the input of others on this web page. I am a 61 year old recently
retired teacher, and I hope that I will have many years left to enjoy
even I only have what I call a lung and a half.
weeks ago because of cancer. The cancer was caught very early,
and I have very good odds. I do have the smaller section of the left
lobe left and the entire right. I have noticed shortness of breath
like others who have responded, but I have also notice a rise
in pulse rate which I am having evaluated now. I really appreciate
the input of others on this web page. I am a 61 year old recently
retired teacher, and I hope that I will have many years left to enjoy
even I only have what I call a lung and a half.
i am 19 and had my right lung removed when i was just a baby or toddler so basically i had lived with one lung my whole life. i tend to not be very social due to my lack of understand people or having similar interests like sports or anything physical. i tend to not have as much fun just swimming or anything because i get tired easily. i tend to be very skinny. i weight only around 100-110 pounds. ive tried so many ways of gaining weight but everytime i start gaining weight my body stops me by building a lot of mucus and eventually i get sick and lose weight all over again. i also have character traits of a very careful and worried person who is very insecure. i cannot be carefree. if i had one wish it would be to have 2 lungs just to know what it's like to have an average physicality. but me being the worried and careful type of person i am, ive talked about it first and always am discouraged about it. i am told by my mother that i cannot recieve a transplant since it is not required for my life to sustain. also, even if i were to get a transplant, there's always the chance of me not surviving surgery and even if i do survive. i would probably have to take medicine to keep my body from not rejecting that transplanted lung. but just to let everyone know, having one lung is not exactly the same as having asthma. altho i have never had an asthma attack and doubt/hope i never will, all the inhalers or medicine i use barely ever help. i believe the effects would be similar to a normal 2 lunged person using an inhaler. the most my inhaler has ever done for me wat clear my throat of mucus but only by a bit. i believe inhalers or medicines dont work because i dont have lungs that have congestive airways, i just have one lung working to support my whole body and why breathing and resting for a lot long than what other ppl would rest for helps much more.i guess u can just say im very unhappy with my life, and i seem like i dont fit in the world
I am 68 years old and had my uper left lobe removed. My life has changed very little other than I have a constant pull and a ache on my left side under the rib that was broken as the lobe was removed. I feel my emotions run a little higher than usual such as faster pulse rate and at times anxious. The feelings usual pass . Breathing is deeper when I get into heavy duty chores or speed walking. I wonder if my right lung will compensate as times goes on as this condition is only 2 years into recovery. I have has a couple of experiences of a racing heart but to date the Dr. has not suggested any follow up.
CarlDeForest wrote:
I feel sorry about your father..But it a good thing he stop, BUT now he have to stay away from smoking, and all the other stuff
I have one lungs AND was born with it
I am Carl DeForest and i am 18 year old. I was born with one lung. if you don't belived me it alright, my real mother was/is drug addivct with cocaine. I have not seen her for 18 year. but let me get back to the point. At frist it a HUGES problem.. have to breath harder, have to be a machine to breath.. it might take year.... i got use to it and look at me now I am doing everything as a normal as a person with two lungs. would do... I run track, lift weight, play basketball, i do all other stuff to prove doctors thatone lung is not dangous only for breathing but you will get use to it..
***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed **
Please read our Terms of Use
if you want more informationg..
***this post is edited by moderator *** *** phone numbers not allowed **
Please read our Terms of Use
Call me anytime from 8am to 6pm. from the eastern time.
If i don't answer leave a message with number i will get back to you soon.
P.S. I am going to write a book about my life.. (it is very sad,mess up life)
tELL US WHEN THE BOOK COMES OUT.