Living with one lung

I am a mother of twins. One whom was born with complications. To make a long story short, she was in need of surgery after surgery, after surgery right after birth, resulting in the partial collapse of her right lung.
I am glad to say that she has been able to live a pretty much normal life.
Thank goodness she is the artsy one and her twin is the sporty one.
But despite her condition she is healthy, takes abuterol as needed (which she used only twice last year), and runs around just as much as her sisters.
She does get worn out a bit more sooner then her sisters but not often.
I know it is scary caring for your baby who seems so fragile and are in a fragile state but they are much more stronger then we think.
I have learned that from my sweet girl.
She will be fine and will live an ordinary life I'm sure. :)

Love this carl.almost thought it wud be impossible to run in pass the limits

Amen ! Always trust God) because with God ,All things are possible !!! Prayers always changes things

I never post on things like this but here it goes I'm 39 I had a phrenic nerve injury which resulted in the right side of my diaphragm being paralyzed it has never healed so I only have the use of my left lung. Life has changed but is not over it has just slowed a bit can do things vigorsly bending over is a problem but he will make it

I thank God too X

I had my lung removed age 12 in Pittsburgh in 1960 by Dr Robert Pontious a pioneer in heart and lung. I played sports into college and coached for years Today I walk the golf course with hills and valleys 3 times a week I do notice I am a bit tired after climbing some hill after 7-8 holes. I am 68. I never let it enter my mind as a disability

I am 64 years old now I had my left lung removed due to cancer at age 53. I was a Fire Captain and had spent 27 years on the job. I smoked heavily for many years. I had stopped 5 mo. before I was diagnosed. In my case at first I was told there was nothing they could it was too far gone I had Adenocarcinoma, then after a Pet scan revealed that it was just one large mass it was suggested that they try and do chemo, I agreed ton that it. they did 4 sessions of chemo where I received 1,250 mg. of poison at a time, they were only supposed to do 2 sessions 1 every 3 weeks but they extended it to 4 when it hadn't stopped as much as they wanted. Tat was done and then the lung removed. Thru the last 11 years there have been many challenges associated with the lung removal. At first I believed I couldn't get enough air thus causing me to hyperventilate. After awhile this caused me to have pain in my chest and stomach. Obviously I couldn't be a firefighter anymore and was retired. I then became very claustrophobic very soon after surgery I am currently on 2 medications for anxiety. Things like being in the shower, closing the door in the doctor's exam room, and just being in a crowded place caused me to panic thinking I couldn't breathe. I once rolled down the window when in a car wash. Nothing was put in to stop my organs from moving around currently my heart has turned to the left, my stomach has moved up, my right lung has moved over to the left. My surgeon was Dr. Anthony Perricone and his team of 8 surgeons. They do most of the heart and lung transplants in the western U.S. He saved my life because my cancer was very bad.Year 2 and 3 after surgery were the worst for me, continual trips to the doctor because of pain that was just unbelievable. Many combinations of drugs were tried until we settled on a combination of physical therapy and medications. The problem is that many doctors haven't dealt with a person who had a lung removed in their mid fifties or later. The fact is that 10 percent of the people having the surgery die during surgery because your brain will turn off the other lung and they don't know how to re-fire it. Then of the people who survive only 30% make it to 3 years. After 5 years there really isn't a good count. Now things may have gotten better in the last 11 years but all I know is that my Pulmonology Specialist who does my follow ups and is retiring today Dec. 8, 2016 never had anyone like me. I worked many years with paramedics and responded to thousands of medial aids with the fire dept. (that's what most fire departments spend most of their time responding to) and never had anyone with only one lung. There are continuing problems that will arise, there is much pain associated with the surgery (Dr. Perricone said I would have pain the rest of my life), but it is something you can live with. I was in great shape when I had the surgery which helped, I work out daily (long walks) anything strenuous will cause me to lose my breath right away. When I say lose your breath it's like having no breath at all and your brain will cause you to start panicking immediately. It really takes concentration to resume breathing normally for you. My experience is that many doctors have never dealt with the problem and don't know what to do. It's like any other job if you don't do it all the time you don't become proficient at treating it. I am still here and yes there are many things I can't do anymore. I can play with my grandchildren but just for a little bit and without trying to move too quickly. Same with any activity, my wife and I moved from San Diego to Colorado and currently live at 6,700 feet. I am not on oxygen, my doctors are amazed at how well I look, but they won't put me to sleep for anything. I had hernia surgery which I had to be awake for, and when I have a colonoscopy they keep me awake. There are continual challenges and yes we all do respond differently but from what I've been told I doing better than anyone in my position that they've ever seen. Yes there is a big difference from being born with one lung and having one removed when you're middle aged. I have met a guy that was born without one and he is in his 40's and plays rugby. That's not something that I could even think about doing. If seated I can do most anything, I played drums until about 5 years ago and could play rock music for 4 hrs. straight. All I can say is we are all different, we react differently to everything, this kind of surgery is very serious but it can be dealt with, if you or someone you know is having a pneumonectomy, I will pray for you. Keep a great outlook and never give up!! I would love to talk with anyone who needs it.

I am 34 years old, I had my right lung removed when I was 22 (due to a carcinoid tumor). Since then I have led a pretty normal life. Rarely remember I have only a lung. I never learnt to swim as a kid. Last year it was my resolution to learn this life skill, and i did take up swimming lessons. And now I can swim if i need to save my life. :)

Hello im a 29 yr old woman who lost my whole left lung in 2012 due to battling with cancer ....i thought differently after the doctors removed it i cryed even asked millions of questions ....6 yrs later i still cant tell the difference u be alright

Hi I had my left lung removed in 2015 at the age of 25 due to a tumor in the airway. I recovered rather quickly and was back in the gym and playing soccer writhin 8 months. I do get tired after a while but nothing a quick rest can't fix. I personally feel it's more of a mental block for me but understand the difficulties others can face under different circumstances.

Sorry to hear about your father, all these people saying life will never be the same isn't right because I have only had one lung since birth, yes I have had many health issues along the way but I have lived life to the fullest and never felt as though I have missed out on anything.

How long we're you in icy after the operation

I had my right lung removed in 2003 when I was 14yo due to a carcinoid tumor. My recovery was unusual for a pneumonectomy patient as I had a natural gap in my mediastinum which meant my left lung moved further than it would usually and pushed my heart around on its axis so finding a radial pulse is hard. I then did years of voice lessons specifically for the breathing exercises which has given me a great lung capacity although cardiac output will always be reduced. My resting HR is high and blood pressure low which was typical in this situation. I tend to walk really fast rather than run and avoid repetitive forward facing or overhead exercises (I can do these with breaks and the right rotation in a circuit). You can live a full and largely normal life with one lung and I often forget I only have one.

wendy just read uy letter,,i have to have my right lung removed, im 77 on valentines day just gone, hope all goes well for her. me i am petrified scared u name i got it. but i hope i can have it done an maybe get another 5 years,an ur ma gets triple that,dont no what else to say,, just gutted, prey for both of us wendy. an god bless you,,,,,brian

I am facing a left lung removal soon and am scared to death. I'm 61 years old, a wife, mother, grandmother, and a nurse. I have no clue what to expect.