Weitz & Luxenberg provides information about surgery for asbestos lung cancer.

My sister is about to undergo surgery for asbestos lung cancer. What should she do before the procedure and what can she expect afterwards?

If your sister is about to undergo surgery for her lung cancer, then her doctor has already determined that she is healthy enough for the procedure.  He took into account several factors: her age, her medical history and the names of any medications she might be taking (some of which might interfere with the surgery). Lung Cancer due to asbestos does not differ much from other types of lung cancer.

It might be wise for your sister to inquire about the amount of lung surgeries her medical professional has performed. Were they successful? How long was the recovery period for the patients? There is nothing wrong with inquiring about these things and most doctors won’t mind taking the time to address their patient’s concerns. If anything, having answers will give your sister some peace of mind which is important to have before any surgical procedure. 

Before the Surgery

• Your sister “will be advised to not eat or drink anything the night before her asbestos lung cancer surgery.” (About)
• If your sister smokes she should quit, if only temporarily. “Quitting smoking for any period of time before surgery can play a role in her ability to heal afterwards.” (About)
• Arrangements should be made to accident-proof your sister’s house. Even the slightest fall could have serious and even fatal repercussions. Work with your sister to rearrange furniture and other objects in the house if need be. In the bathroom, put a suction cup mat on the floor of the tub so that she won’t fall.
• Make sure there is food in the kitchen that can be easily prepared. It is not likely that your sister will have the strength to cook anything complicated after surgery. If she is too weak to even make a microwave meal, someone should cook for her or bring her meals.

The Day of the Surgery

Even if your sister is satisfied with the amount of successful surgeries her medical professional performed in the past, she may still experience feelings of nervousness and anxiety about her upcoming asbestos lung cancer surgery. This is completely normal, as there is a degree of a risk that accompanies any kind of surgery. 

If you can, accompany her to the site of surgery and reassure her that all will be well. If you are unavailable, another family member or one of your sister’s close friends should go with her for moral support.

Your sister should “avoid wearing any make-up, nail polish, contact lenses or dentures.” (About)

Your sister will be asked to sign a consent form, which is required by law. It states that the doctor informed your sister of all possible surgical risks.

Questions for your sister to ask the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist:

• What type of lung cancer surgery will I have? Why is this type being done instead of another?
• What type of anesthesia will I be given?
• How many of these procedures have you done?
• What complications might I expect, and what signs should I watch for?
• What will my scar look like?
• How long will I be in the hospital?
• What activities will I be able to do upon returning home? Will I need help around the home? If I am not able to manage myself at home, what options are available for transitional care?
• When can I return to work?
• Who should I call if I experience any problems after returning home?
• What medications will I be given to control my pain in the hospital, and upon returning home?

(About.com)

The Surgery itself:

Your sister’s surgery will be done either to remove fluid around her lung, treat a collapsed lung or remove a growth. 

Fluid around the lungs:

Your sister may have fluid around her lungs. “During surgery, tubes can be placed in the pleural space to drain fluid and help the lungs heal.” (USC)

A Collapsed Lung:

If “a portion of your sister’s lung wall is thin or ruptured, air may leak into the pleural space. When air collects in the pleural space, the lung may collapse. Tubes place during surgery can drain air from the pleural space so that the lung can expand.” (CSC) The wall of the lung can also be repaired to prevent it from collapsing a second time.

Mass or Growth in the Lung:

There are four surgical techniques for treating a lung mass:

Wedge Resection: “The removal of a small portion of a lobe.” (USC)

Segment Resection:  “The removal of a larger portion of a lobe.” (USC)

Lobectomy: “The removal of an entire lobe.” (USC)

Pneumonectomy: “The removal of the entire lung.” (USC)

How can Weitz & Luxenberg help my sister?

Weitz & Luxenberg has been handling asbestos-related cases for over 20 years. We can guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit that can compensate your sister for expenses such as:

• Medical procedures
• Clinical trials
• Travel expenses
• Counseling costs
• Any previous out-of-pocket expenses related to your illness
• Providing financial stability for you and your family

The first step towards financial compensation is contacting Weitz & Luxenberg. You can do so via the form on this page or by phone at: (800) 476-6070.

After submitting the form, a representative from Weitz & Luxenberg will be in touch within 24 hours.

Acknowledgments:

University of Southern California (USC):  www.cts.usc.edu/lpg-commonreasonsforlungsurgery.html

About. com: www. lungcancer.about.com/od/treatmentoflungcancer/a/surgeryprep.htm