Thoracic Surgery
Lung Resection Surgery
A Patient Guide
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Contents Page
• Introduction ………………………………………… 1
• Ward Details
How to find us………………………….
Contacting us……………………………
Visiting Times………………………….
Telephone Enquiries……………….…...
Infection Prevention……………………
Electrical Equipment……………………
Hospital Chaplain………………………..
• Before Admission to Hospital
Smoking……………………………….
Nutrition……………………………….
• What Happens on The Day of Admission………….
• What Happens on The Day of Surgery……………..
• What Happens After The Operation………………..
• Planning for Discharge……………………………..
• Rehabilitation at Home…………………………….
• Advice About Medication………………………….
• Help and Support…………………………………..
• Quality of Service………………………………….
• Useful Contact Information………………………..
Introduction
The aim of this booklet is to provide you and your family with important information related to your surgery. This will help you to achieve maximum recovery while you are in hospital and also when you have been discharged home.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the issues in the booklet please do not hesitate to ring the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist on 0113 2067524 or talk to any of the nurses on the ward when you are admitted. They will be happy to answer your questions. There is space at the back of this booklet to write any questions down that you may have.
Please remember to bring this booklet into hospital with you.
Ward Details
How to find us
The ward you will be admitted to will be ward 84. We are situated in Bexley Wing at ST James’s. From the main reception on Level 0 in Bexley Wing take the red lift to Level 2. Turn left as you come out of the lift, Ward 84 is then immediately on your right.
We are a 32 bedded ward with the 8 side rooms and 6 bays. The High Dependency Unit (HDU) is the only mixed sex bay but all precautions are taken to protect your dignity during your stay there. Each bay has its own toilet and shower room. All side rooms are ensuite.
During your stay in hospital you will come into contact with a team who work together to aim to provide the highest quality of service and cater for all your needs.
The team consists of:
• Thoracic Surgeons;
• Ward Sisters;
• Staff Nurses;
• Clinical Support Workers;
• Student Nurses;
• Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist;
• House Keepers;
• Ward Clerks, and
• A number of speciality services including pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, social workers, and pain nurses.
Contacting Us
Ward 84 Telephone Number - 0113 2068384
Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist - 0113 2067524
Visiting Times
We recommend that for the first few days after surgery to try and keep visiting to only close family and friends. This will allow time for rest periods and aid your recovery.
Our daily visiting times are:
2pm-4pm;
6pm-8pm.
Visiting times are restricted for the following reasons:
• to allow patients time to rest and recover;
• to allow nurses to carry out nursing cares;
• to prevent infection;
• to ensure patients are not disturbed during mealtimes;
• to allow the ward to be cleaned.
During visiting the number of visitors is restricted to 2 visitors per bed. We discourage visits by children under 5 years of age.
If there are special circumstances regarding visiting, please ring the ward before visiting and speak with the nurse in charge. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Telephone Enquiries
We kindly ask that phone enquiries be made after 11am by a nominated family member who can then pass on information to other family members and friends. Mornings are particularly busy for the nurses and large volumes of telephone enquiries means that nurses spend less time with the patients. Please also be aware that nursing staff may not be able to give out detailed information over the telephone.
Infection Prevention
Infection prevention is an important issue. In order to prevent the spread of infection we ask that all patients, visitors and staff use alcohol gel on their hands when entering or leaving the ward. Alcohol gel can be found in dispensers at the entrances and exits of the ward and also at the entrances to the bays and side rooms.
Electrical Equipment
Any electrical equipment, including laptops, mobile phone chargers and TVs may need to be checked for electrical safety before being used in the hospital. This is to comply with hospital policy.
Please inform a nurse if you have any electrical equipment that needs to be checked.
Mobile phones are not permitted in the HDU bay due to the presence of monitoring equipment. Whilst mobile phones are allowed in other areas of the ward we ask that you are considerate to other patients who may be unwell or recovering from surgery.
Hospital Chaplains
Hospital chaplains are available day and night to provide emotional/religious support. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to see someone from the chaplaincy during your stay.
Before Admission to Hospital
Before your surgery there are some things that you can do which will help with your recovery and help prevent problems after surgery
Smoking
We are aware it can be difficult for patients to stop smoking before or after surgery.
If you are a smoker you must try and stop as soon as possible. Carbon monoxide and poisons from smoking may cause unpleasant complications after surgery such as delayed wound healing, wound infections and chest infections.
Your lungs need to be at their best to aid a speedy recovery. Even though your lungs may be damaged already, stopping smoking as late as 2-4 weeks before surgery may prevent complication afterwards.
If you need assistance to stop smoking, contact your GP or ask your local pharmacist for advice on Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
We are a no smoking hospital this means smoking is not allowed inside any of the hospital buildings. Smoking is only permitted within the designated shelters outside.
Eating and Drinking
Before you have surgery it is important to be well-nourished to cope with the demands of the operation. If you are underweight, and/or are losing weight it can be more difficult and take longer to recover from your operation. Try to ensure you are eating regularly, including regular snacks and nutritious drinks to keep your weight stable. If you are struggling with breathlessness try to eat little and often, and take smaller mouthfuls of food. Soft or moist foods are often better tolerated if your mouth gets dry. If you are struggling with a poor appetite speak to your GP about a referral to a Dietician, or prescribing some nutritional supplements.
What Happens On The Day Of Your Admission?
If you feel unwell when you are due to come into hospital, please telephone ward 84 for advice 0113 2068384
You will have been asked to telephone ward 84 on the day your admission, about 1pm, to make sure that there is a bed available. If you were seen by the pre assessment nurse when you came to clinic we usually ask that you arrive on the ward between 4pm - 5pm.
You will need to bring with you:
• all your current medications;
• toiletries;
• dressing gown;
• 2 clean sets of nightwear;
• well fitting slippers;
• loose fitting comfortable clothes;
• a small amount of loose change for newspaper etc;
• and a pen.
Please do not bring valuables or large amounts of money into hospital.
On admission you will be greeted by a member of the nursing team who will show you to your bed. The nurse will then, at some point during the day, check through all your paperwork and admit you to the ward. This is an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. You will also be seen by one of the doctors.
Sometimes you may see your surgeon on the day you are admitted but this depends on which day and what time you are admitted. If you are admitted at the weekend then sometimes you may not see your surgeon until the morning of your surgery.
What Happens on The Day of Your Surgery
You will be seen by an anaesthetist on the morning of the operation who will ask you questions about your health and about any problems you may have had with previous anaesthetics (eg sickness). The anaesthetist will also discuss what type of pain control will be best for you.
You will have to fast (nothing to eat) from midnight but you are allowed to have water up until 6am.
You will be woken up at 6am and asked to have a bath or shower and be provided with a clean towel, theatre gown, paper underwear and some stockings to wear. You must remove contact lenses but you can wear your glasses, hearing aid, dentures or wig to the anaesthetic room. You will need to tie back long hair but avoid using metal clips.
When the theatre team are ready for you they will either send a porter with a trolley to take you to theatre or you will walk to theatre with an escort.
What Happens After Your Operation
Where you will go immediately after surgery will depend on the type of surgery you have had, and will have been discussed with you at pre assessment. The location will either be Ward 84, High Dependency Unit (based on Ward 84) or the Surgical High Dependency (Ward 81). You will be in the HDU area usually for 24hrs or until you are stable enough to move to a ward bed. While you are in the HDU you will be continuously monitored and observed.
Oxygen
You will wake up from your operation with an oxygen mask on that fits over your mouth and nose. This ensures that you receive sufficient oxygen to help you recover from the anaesthetic. Your nurse will inform you how long you need to use the oxygen for. The facemask may be changed to a small soft tube that sits just inside your nostrils. This leaves your mouth free to take food and drink.
Intravenous Fluids (drip)
You will have a drip into your arm which will be used to prevent you from becoming dehydrated and also to administer medication. When you are fully awake you will only be able to have sips of water. Once you have managed with the water without upsetting your stomach you will be able to have a cup of tea, usually about 2 hours after you return to the ward.
Pain Control
The anaesthetist will decide what will be the most effective method of pain control for you.
This may include:
• a paravertebral (a continuous infusion into your back);
• patient controlled analgesia (a drip into your arm you control yourself);
• oral medication.
It is our aim to make you as comfortable as possible following your surgery. This is important so that you are able to do your breathing exercises properly and clear your chest of any sputum to prevent post operative complications. The nurse looking after you will assess your pain regularly and you may also be seen by a member of the Pain Team.
Please remember, the most effective way of managing your pain is for you to tell the nurse that you have pain! It is important to tell your nurse if the painkillers are not working so that they can give you an alternative.
Chest Drains
You will have one or more flexible plastic tubes in your chest to remove air, fluid or blood. This may limit your mobility and the physiotherapists and nurses will advise you on how to mobilise.
While you have the drains in you must NOT:
• lift the drain above your waist;
• knock your drain over (pick it up and inform the nurse immediately if accidentally knocked over);
• kink or obstruct the chest drain tubing.
Once the doctors are happy that there is no air leak and the fluid has almost stopped the drains will be removed. This usually happens 2 -3 days after surgery. When the drains have been removed you will have a stitch at each drain site that will need to be removed after 7 - 10 days. The nursing staff will arrange for you to go to your GP surgery to have these removed. If you are unable to get to your GP surgery please tell the nursing staff and they will organise for a district nurse to come to your home to remove the stitch.
Sometimes the lungs can take a little longer to heal and stop draining. If this happens we use a special chest drain system called a Portex bag. It is easy to carry and you can walk around with it. This allows you to be discharged home with the drain still in. Your nurse will organise for a district nurse to come and visit you daily at home to drain the bag. You will also come back to Ward 84 to the Nurse Led Clinic on a weekly basis for review. Once the surgical team are happy that your drain can come out it will be removed.
Preventing Blood Clots
You will need to wear anti embolic stockings which help your circulation. It is important you wear these daily until you go home. You will also have daily Heparin injections while you are in hospital, this is to reduce the risk of blood clots forming.
Moving Around
Following lung surgery you can feel extremely tired and drained. This can last for a few days or weeks depending on what type of surgery you have had. However, you will be encouraged to mobilise the day after your surgery. This is to help the lungs recover and to prevent chest infections and other complications. All patients who have had part, or all, of their lung removed will see the physiotherapist the first day after surgery. They will help you mobilise and provide you with deep breathing and arm exercises which are a very important part of your recovery.
These exercises will help with:
• clearing the chest of phlegm to prevent chest infections;
• helping the lungs to re-expand after surgery;
• helping control episodes of breathlessness;
• improving circulation.
Incentive Spirometry
As part of your breathing exercises you will be given a device to use called an Incentive Spirometer. This is a small device that is used to encourage you to take deep breaths which helps to improve the function of your lungs after surgery.
This exercise is designed to help you take long deep breaths, such as when you yawn. Because it makes you breath deeply, it improves your ability to clear sputum from your lungs. This can reduce the chance of you developing breathing problems after your surgery.
Instructions:
1. Slide the yellow Patient Goal indicator to the volume level you have been told by
2. Breathe out completely
3. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece and breath in slowly and deeply, like sucking on a straw.
4. Try and get the yellow ball as close to the happy face as possible.
5. Breathe in as deeply as possible then hold for 3 seconds. Then breathe out.
6. Note the highest level the top of the white piston reaches. Try to reach your goal.
7. Repeat this technique 5-10 times. Take your time so you don’t feel dizzy. Take a few normal breaths between deep breaths.
8. When you have finished the exercise it is very important to take a deep breath, a huff and a cough. You should try and cough 2-3 times.
If you have any pain while coughing, you may need to hold a rolled up towel against your wound and apply pressure as you cough. This should provide some support and comfort. If it is too painful to cough, tell your nurse.
You will no longer need to use the spirometer once you have been discharged from hospital
Rest
Lung surgery can place many demands on the body which can make you feel very tired and drained. This can last for a few weeks. If you need to rest we recommend that you sit in a chair with your feet up and try to avoid lying down in bed as this restricts the recovery of the lungs.
Eating and Drinking
After your operation it is important to eat as well as you can to help you get better. Your body needs more energy to allow your body to heal and repair itself. Choosing foods that are high in energy and protein from the menu as well as eating snacks and drinking nutritious fluids will help your body recover.
Sometimes the anaesthetic and the painkillers can make you feel sick which may affect your appetite. If you are feeling sickly, ask your doctor or nurse for medication to help settle this and allow you to eat better.
If you suffer from breathlessness try to eat smaller portions of food more frequently to make sure you get enough nutrition.
Aim to have a regular bowel motion as constipation can also cause a poor appetite. If you continue to struggle with your intake the doctor may prescribe nutritional supplements to give you extra nourishment.
Constipation
Constipation can become a problem due to painkillers and reduced mobility. To prevent constipation, keep mobile by walking round the ward a few times a day and drink plenty of fluids. Fluids can include water, tea, coffee, fruit juice, milk and supplement drinks. If you are struggling to have your bowels opened try to choose more fibreous foods where possible such as Weetabix instead of Cornflakes, brown/wholemeal bread instead of white, eating skins on potatoes, fruit and vegetable etc. If you are prescribed painkillers that cause constipation, you will also be prescribed laxatives.
Smoking
Avoid smoking totally for the first week after surgery. Studies have shown that wound healing is significantly delayed by smoking, and the infection rate is increased. We understand that it is very difficult for patients to stop but advice and support is available
Planning For Discharge
Give some thought about coping after discharge from hospital, as during your first week at home you will need practical as well as emotional support. If possible this should be arranged before your admission. If nobody is going to be available to help with this, please let the ward staff know as soon as you can while you are in hospital.
How long you stay in hospital will depend on what type of surgery you have had. You are generally in hospital between 4 - 7 days if there are no complications. You will be assessed every day on the ward round so decisions can be made on a daily basis when you could be discharged home. Once the doctors and nurses have decided that you are ready to go home we will organise the following:
• medication that you will need to take home;
• a follow up outpatient appointment;
• a district nurse or practice nurse if it is needed;
• a nurse led clinic appointment if needed;
• support from community Occupation Therapy if needed;
• support from Medical Social Services if needed;
• transport home if appropriate.
Medication
Before you are discharged from hospital you will receive a supply of medication that you will need to continue to take at home. The nurse will explain what the medication is for and when you should take it. Within 24 hours of your discharge a letter will be sent to your GP with a list of the medication that you have been discharged with. It will also contain information about your surgery and hospital stay. You also will be given a copy of your discharge letter with a list of your medication.
Out Patient Appointment
Most patients who have had lung surgery will be seen in the Outpatient Department in
approximately 4-6 weeks. Your surgeon may also refer you back to your referring doctor for follow up.
The Nurse Led Clinic
Some patients need to return to the Nurse Led Clinic for assessment of wounds and drainage systems. This is held on a Wednesday on Ward 84. Should you need to attend this clinic it will be arranged by the nursing staff and discussed with you before you are discharged home from the ward. Please let the nurse know if you need transport to come to the clinic before you go home.
If you cannot attend your nurse led clinic appointment please ring 0113 2068384 as soon as possible. A new appointment will be arranged for you.
District Nurse
You may need to have care after being discharged home for wounds, drainage systems or removal of sutures. This will be arranged by the nursing staff and discussed with you prior to discharge. You may be asked to visit the Practice Nurse at your GP surgery to have the stitch where your drain was removed or we may arrange for a District Nurse to visit you in your home.
Unfortunately we cannot provide you on discharge with a time when your district nurse will attend. If for any reason your district nurse does not attend on the organised day please contact your GP practice for advice.
Getting Better at Home
This following advice has been produced as a guide to give you and your family/carer information so that you know what is considered normal, when to ask for advice and who to contact if there is a problem once you have been discharged home.
Wound Care
Dissolvable stitches are now used for operations. These do not need to be removed. The only stitch that will need removing is the one where your drain came out.
Your wound will go through several stages of healing and may include:
• an unusual sensation of tingling, numbness or itching;
• a slightly hard lumpy feeling as the new tissue forms;
• a slight pulling as the wound heals.
Avoid tight clothing which could irritate or place pressure on the wound. Loose comfortable clothes are ideal. Ladies will probably find it uncomfortable to wear certain styles of bras, particularly underwired ones. Seamless bras or camisoles are generally more comfortable.
Check your wound every day in the mirror if you can or ask someone to look at it for you. If your wound is clean and dry there is no need for a dressing. Some swelling around the wound is perfectly normal and should go down after a few weeks.
If you notice any of the following you must seek urgent medical advice from either the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist, Ward 84, your GP, or your District Nurse:
• the amount of pain in your wound increases;
• the wound becomes redder than before;
• the wound becomes warm to the touch;
• the wound becomes swollen;
• the wound has a discharge coming from it;
• any part of the wound appears to be coming apart.
If you have a choice of showering or having a bath, choose a shower for the first two weeks after surgery.
If you have to use a bath we recommend the following:
• do not soak for long periods in the bath for the first 6 weeks;
• you empty the water out before you get out;
• you place a non-slip mat or a towel in the bath before attempting to stand up;
• you may need assistance to get out of the bath;
• pat dry around and on your scar with a clean dry towel.
Having a bath or shower will ensure the skin and the wound are kept clean.
Try not to use soap or perfumed detergents on the wound.
Pain
Good pain control is vital to enable mobility. Exercise can help prevent undesired complications such as a chest infection or a deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you continue to take your prescribed painkillers until you see the consultant at your follow up appointment.
Some patients experience numbness or shooting stabbing pains around the wound. It is normal for these sensations to last for several months while the nerves damaged at the time of surgery repair themselves.
As time progresses your pain should be decreasing. If your pain becomes worse despite taking your previously recommended dose of painkillers please contact the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist, Ward 84, your District Nurse, or your GP.
Eating & Drinking
It is important to try and eat well to minimise weight loss once you are discharged from hospital. It is not unusual for your appetite to be poor in the early weeks so try to include regular small nourishing meals, snacks and nutritious drinks in your diet. Have softer foods if you feel these go down easier and stick to plain foods if you feel sickly. Avoiding strong cooking smells can help.
If constipation has been a problem try to make sure you are eating regularly enough to enable your bowels to function and drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration.
Your appetite will gradually return but if you have any problems with continuing poor appetite, weight loss or constipation please contact the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist, your Lung Nurse Specialist, or your GP.
Breathlessness
Some shortness of breath is to be expected. This will depend on how much lung was removed and your underlying general health. To help improve your lungs we recommend that you do the exercises that the physiotherapist gave you. You may feel short of breath following exercise. This is normal and proves that you are exercising at the right level for you. However, this should not leave you gasping for air, you should be able to talk at the same time as exercising.
If your breathlessness becomes worse and you or your family are concerned please contact the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist, Ward 84 or your GP.
Moving Around At Home
Exercise can help with tiredness (fatigue) and improve your emotional and mental well-being. Depending on the extent of your surgery it can take three to six months for your lungs to recover from your surgery. Within this time it is vital that you continue to perform your breathing and arm exercises taught to you by the physiotherapist.
It is important that you continue with every day functional activities like washing, dressing and cooking but we recommend that you do not try to lift, pull or push heavy weights until 6-8 weeks after surgery. This may include walking the dog on a lead, lifting small children, vacuuming and carrying heavy bags of shopping.
Building up your exercise gradually and safely is encouraged and can include such exercises as swimming, walking, cycling and light jogging. The amount and type of exercise that patients can do in the first few weeks will vary but the best guidance is to do what you can without becoming too tired or breathless.
Try to maintain a positive attitude and remember your recovery will not happen overnight. Try not to compare yourself with anyone else, you will recover at your own pace.
An Exercise Guide
Week 1 move around at home as you did in hospital, including gentle
walks. Continue with your posture and deep breathing exercises that the physiotherapist taught you.
Initially you will feel more tired at home than you were in hospital. Build a two hour rest into the middle of the day. You will gradually regain your energy levels but it is normal to experience varying energy levels for a number of weeks.
Week 2 - 3 Start to increase activity at home by taking on some light tasks such as
cooking and dusting.
Week 4 - 6 Increase activity to include light shopping, gardening, cleaning the car
Week 6 - 8 Resume driving and vacuuming.
Week 12 Resume other activities that you may enjoy such as bowls, cycling, fishing
swimming. If you are a keen golfer try practicing your swing.
Rest & Sleep
During the first few weeks at home you will find you tire easily, so adequate rest is as important as exercising for your recovery. Have a rest in the afternoon for a couple of hours. Once you have exercised, you may prefer to rest for a period of time to recover. Give yourself extra time in the mornings to get ready for the day and try to plan ahead for any activities. You should find that over a period of a few weeks you will need less rest through the day.
It’s important you get a good night’s sleep. This may be difficult because you have had your normal sleep pattern disturbed and your normal sleeping position may now be uncomfortable. It may take a couple of weeks for you to settle back into your normal sleeping routine. Taking your painkillers at night can help with the uncomfortable feeling and any soreness from the wound.
Psychological Well-Being
If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer this can have an impact on your body image, psychological well-being and physical functioning. You may not only have to come to terms with the shock of the diagnosis but also have to come to terms with having major surgery.
It is quite common for patients to feel anxious or depressed and to become unusually emotional and irritable for a period of time after surgery. This can happen without prior warning. These feelings can resolve spontaneously, however, if you continue to have problems affecting how you feel, you should contact your Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist or your GP.
Sometimes talking about what you are going through can help, and if needed, extra help in the form of psychological support or medication can be organised.
Resuming Sexual Relationships
Many patients who have undergone surgery experience anxiety about resuming sexual relationships. There are no definite rules about this, it is entirely up to you. However, we generally advise that you wait between 2-4 weeks to allow your body and wounds time to recover.
It is unlikely you will do any damage following the surgery but sensible measures should be made to avoid extensive strain on the wound. Choose a position which is comfortable and does not restrict your breathing. Do not take your weight or your partner’s weight on your arms.
Returning to Work
The physical or emotional demands of your job may influence when you can go back to work. Many people can feel tired and lack concentration for a period of time following discharge from hospital. It is best not to start work until you feel completely well.
Many employers will allow you to go back to work on a phased return to build back up to working a full working week. You should discuss this option with your employer.
If you are self-employed or do heavy jobs you may need to assess more fully what you are able to do. Please discuss this with your Consultant Surgeon or the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist who can give you advice.
Driving
Do not drive following your surgery until you have been reviewed at your outpatient appointment and advised by your surgeon that it is safe. This is generally about 4 - 6 weeks after surgery. To be able to start driving again you must be able to make an emergency stop without causing yourself too much discomfort. You must also be comfortable enough to twist to be able to reverse your car.
Your motor insurance may not cover you to drive for about six weeks after your operation. Please discuss this with your motor insurance company.
Air Travel
It is recommended that you do not fly for approximately six weeks after surgery. Please check with your surgeon when you come for your check up after surgery if you are able to fly.
If you wish to travel before this, please speak to your Consultant Surgeon or the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist who can give you advice.
Holidays
For the first six months after surgery if you wish to travel abroad it is advised to plan a relaxing holiday with minimal travelling.
Use complete sun block over the actual scar for the first six months after surgery.
It is also advised to get holiday insurance cover. The cost of insurance may alter due to your treatment. There are specialist insurance companies that can help with this.
Advice About Medication
The nurse will have given you a full explanation before you were discharged home of what your tablets are for and when to take them.
To help you further we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions.
Q. Can I drink alcohol with my medication?
It is usually alright to drink with your medication as long as:
1. the label on your medication does not say that it should be avoided
2. your doctor has agreed it will not affect your illness
3. you do not drink alcohol in excess
Q. Is it safe for me to take the different types of painkiller given to me on discharge at the same time?
Yes. The painkillers given to you all act differently to control your pain and so can be taken at the same time.
Q. When should I take my medication?
Always read the label before taking your medicines. The label will inform you when you should take it.
Q. Should I avoid taking my tablets if I have not yet eaten and the label states I need to take after food?
If you haven’t eaten it is recommended that you drink a glass of milk or eat a biscuit or a piece of fruit before taking the medication. This is because some tablets are known to irritate the stomach.
Q. Can I start taking Aspirin again?
Yes. If you were prescribed Aspirin before your surgery but stopped taking it because of your surgery then you can restart it unless you are advised otherwise.
Q. What should I do with my old medicines when I get home?
When you are discharged home from hospital the pharmacist will ensure you are sent home with your proper prescription. Only take the tablets you have at home if you are sure they are the same tablets, the same dose and are not out of date. The ward pharmacist can discuss this with you before you go home.
Help and Support
Who to Call
If you or your carer/family member is concerned about any aspect of your recovery when at home do not hesitate to contact the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist on 0113 2067524
Depending on the nature of your enquiry one of the following will happen:
• advice will be given to you over the telephone;
• you will be asked to attend the next nurse led clinic;
• you be asked to attend ward 84;
• you will be advised to ring your GP;
• you will be advised to attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.
If you are unable to contact the Thoracic Surgical Nurse Specialist and you need urgent advice please contact any of the following:
• Ward 84 0113 2068384;
• Your District Nurse;
• Your GP.
In emergencies please call 999
REMEMBER! You must seek medical advice for the following:
• continued problems with constipation despite taking a laxative and eating a high fibre diet;
• the amount of pain in your wound increases;
• the wound becomes redder than before & warm to the touch;
• the wound becomes swollen;
• the wound has a discharge coming from it;
• any part of the wound appears to be coming apart;
• your pain becomes worse despite taking your previously recommended dose of painkillers;
• your breathlessness becomes worse and you or your family are concerned.
Quality of Service
We welcome any comments you might have on any aspect of your stay, and any suggestions on how we might improve services to our patients. We also carry out patient surveys from time to time using questionnaires and you may be asked to participate; this of course is entirely voluntary.
While we hope you will not have cause to complain about any aspect of your stay, we would encourage patients and their carers to discuss any issues of concern with the Senior Sister on the ward or the Matron in the first instance, to see if they can be resolved locally. If you do not feel that this has resolved the matter, you can speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) 0113 206 7168 or put your concerns in writing and send them to:
Patient Relations Manager
St James’s Hospital
Trust Headquarters
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF.
Or you can email your concerns to patient.relations@leedsth.nhs.uk
All complaints are not only dealt with on an individual basis but reported and investigated to ensure that lessons are learnt and similar occurrences avoided.
Useful Contact Information
Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Patient Support (LAMPS) Group
The Leeds group is part of the UK wide support service for patients with Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma is supported by The Roy Castle Lung cancer Foundation.
This is a patient led group supported and assisted by the Leeds Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist team.
The group meets on the first Monday of each month from 1.30pm to 3pm at the:
Robert Ogden Centre
St James Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Please telephone 0113 206 7916 and leave a message to enquiry about the support group.
The Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Information Centre
The centre provides a drop in service from 10am to 4pm on weekdays for all cancer patients and their families. The centre provides psychological and social support to cancer patients and their families. A range of therapeutic services are also provides, free of charge, such as aromatherapy, counselling and benefit advice.
You can contact the centre on 0113 2066498 or 0113 2066499.
NHS Free Smoking Helpline - 0800 022 4332
National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses
nlcfn.co.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support - 0808 808 2020
.uk
The Roy Castle Foundation - 0800 358 7200
They supply free books on lung cancer and treatments
Cancer Research
Cancer Advice
canceradvice.co.uk
Mesothelioma UK - 0800 169 2409
Provides impartial up-to-date information relating to malignant
mesothelioma for all UK mesothelioma patients and their carers
Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm
mesothelioma.
Marie Curie Cancer Care - 0800 716 146
.uk
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