Lung Cancer - stepfather had lung removed, serious post-op complications with irregular heartbeat - anyone have any knowledge/experience?

[onceinalifetime]

On Friday, my stepfather had a seemingly successful operation to remove his lung which had an 8cm cancerous tumour on it. He came out of intensive care yesterday and the doctor said he was doing really well. Unfortunately, I've just heard that he's been rushed back into intensive care with 'serious complications' - irregular heartbeat and heart beating too fast. We're obviously all very worried. Wondered if anyone has had any experience of this and what the outcome was - good or bad - would rather know all possibilities so I can be ready to support my mum. Thanks.

I've looked after a few people who have had this. Its most likely to be something called AF I should imagine. There are lots of treatments for these, they can be controlled by drugs for the most part. I suspect the reason he has had to go back is because the ineffectual beating of the heart has meant his blood pressure isn't as good as it should be. In ITU they can give special medications that need to be closely monitored to help 'support' the blood pressure artificially until his heart rate is resolved. He's in the best place.

Bit about this here atrial firbrillation

Hope he recovers soon and that your mum is ok. Will you let us know how he is?

This is not an uncommon complication and can occur for a variety of reasons.
Fortunately there are a few treatments available.
he is in the most brilliant place to be made better...honestly.

Thanks Flossish, I think because he was doing so well yesterday, we are all a bit shocked but it's reassuring to know they can treat it. My mum's very anxious and was a bit distressed seeing him fixed up to all the monitors in ITU yesterday but it's probably best he stays there for the moment until everything settles down again. We're all relieved the cancer's been removed but with an op like this, it's not that simple and I realise he's looking at a long recovery period with various risks along the way.

Thanks donbean.

My mum's just come back from seeing my stepfather intensive care and things are not looking good. He is going to be in overnight and is very poorly indeed, quite distressed and skin looking quite yellow. Could that be kidney problems/failure? Anyone around who knows about this? Thanks.

Probably ridiculous to ask that, speculating wildly due to worry.

Turning yellow is usually jaundice due to the liver not doing it's bit properly> now that COULD be because the whole body is out of kilter & if the heart is fibrillating & therefore not doing it's most effective job as a pump (& as Floss says his BP might not be great )then maybe the liver is struggling too. If they can increase the efficiency of the heart & steady his BP then the rest should settle too. (also speculating wildly here not trying to frighten you )

I'm sure if he is in ICU,they are keeping a VERY close eye on him & will be able to jump on any complications/changes as soon as they happen.

Poor you & Mum & poor SF fingers crossed for you all , keep us posted xx

Thanks bb, I am trying to get a grip on what might be happening without panicking as I have all my family calling me instead of my mum and they're reading things into every snippet they hear. Understandable but a bit stressful as we just have to wait and keep ouf fingers crossed that it all settles down.

OH OIALT I've had the same this week wiht the phone calls and you have my sympathy. I think Bossy could be right. I hope he starts to recover soon.

OIALT how's things with you & yours??

bb, thanks for asking. I wish I had good news but it's not unfortunately. Last night, he'd made a 'marginal improvement' and then this morning the doctors told my mum that his heart was failing and there was nothing more they could do. He was extremely distressed which was very upsetting, both for him and my mum. Tonight, they decided it was best to put a tube in and make him unconscious - at least he is at peace to some extent and still holding on but it's very sad. The doctors say they are doing everything they can.

Flossish - hope your friend's ok, I saw your posts re the accident.

OINALT - so very sorry to hear you news. Such a shame and even harder because he seemed to be recovery so well initially. I hope it is all still peaceful.

Wishing you and your mum strength for the future and I'll be thinking of you.

OH OIALT -I'm so sorry

Didn't meant to push you to post at such a stressful time.

My thoughts & prayers are with you & your Mum xx

Don't feel bad and thanks for your thoughts. I can't do anything about the situation so reading and posting on MN is a break from what I am doing the rest of the time which is keeping the rest of the family up to date and trying to support my mum as best I can. Can't concentrate on work at the moment.

Miraculously today the doctors said he has not deteriorated as much as they expected, is holding his own and has a fraction more of a chance than yesterday, but still very poorly. It's a real rollercoaster emotionally - we're living day by day and hoping he defies the doctors but who knows?

Well I have known it happen - the human body is a wonderful thing & with a fighting spirit can sometimes beat all odds. The thing is with him in an "artificial" coma his body is resting & fighting it's own fight. "still very poorly" is a traditional old medical term for "it could go any way at all we're as in the dark as you."

If there are any medical terms/procedures you/your mum don't understand feel free to ask. I'm a bit out of date but the human body doesn't change that much, & if I can't find the answer (usually from my friend Mr Google!) someone else here will know.

Thanks very much bb, it's all been a bit of a steep learning curve. None of us, especially SF, expected to end up in this situation.

How are you OIALT??

Hi bb, after the positive news on Wednesday, things are not looking good again. The doctors have said his lung is failing now as well as his heart and they can't keep a tube in indefinitely as there's too much risk of infection. They're going to operate and make a hole in his throat (sorry if that's tmi) which will also bring him out of his coma and could be quite difficult for him psychologically. They are not holding out much hope of recovery now.

Please don't worry about TMI -I nursed for 20 years & not a lot turns my stomach in that way!!

Souns like they're doing a tracheostomy in his throat so he can breath that way whether on his own or by ventilator. Poor man he is having a rough time, and very distressing for you & Mum to watch too. How's she holding up?

It's so difficult trying to support your mum AND be family contact for news too-you are resting yourself a bit I hope?

(sorry bossy nursey)

Fingers crossed for the weekend.

I feel I should just update this thread. Since I last posted, I have been with my stepfather and mother in hospital. Unfortunately my stepfather never recovered from his operation - he had a further op, a tracheostomy (sp?), to try and further facilitate breathing without a respirator but it did not work and put more pressure on his heart. Finally last Wednesday, the doctors said that not only were his heart and lungs not working correctly together but his kidneys were failing too. The decision to gradually withdraw the life support was taken and he passed away peacefully last Thursday. It's been a devastating experience and I hope that anyone else who has loved ones suffering lung cancer, or any sort of cancer, has a more successful outcome - wishing you lots of luck.

Thanks bossybritches, donbean and flossish for your support. xx

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I read your thread but couldn't bring myself to post due to less than positive experience with my Dad in similar situation. I know you wanted to hear both sides but couldn't do it. Thinking of you and your Mum, know it's hard, but having seen my Dad suffer for longer than is fair, I really, really mean that perhaps this was for the best. And honestly, that's not just a trite statement. Sorry if it sounds harsh.

Oh OIALT how sad.... thanks for updating us, what a sad time for you & your Mum, my thoughts & prayers are with you all .