Not needing O2 is preferable; however, needing it doesn't mean your life is over by any means. It does mean it's more complicated and you have to be more organized. You also need to have a really good relationship with your O2 provider and the most important thing is to learn everything possible about O2 delivery systems, how they work, what the differences are and what you need to know to make good decisions. I've used O2 for well over 10 years in a variety of situations and I'm not restricted in doing much of anything. I've always been able to figure out how I could do something rather than assuming that I couldn't (this excludes ambitions like climbing Everest or the 14 peaks in Colorado....I don't want to do that anyway!). How you approach things makes a HUGE difference.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member - I was NEVER on O2 until after my first surgery (the other lung) which was a year before the nodule. The surgeon said I wouldn’t need it…not true. But, it turned out to be a helluva procedure, VATS again. A bullectomy and a pleurectomy. And I stopped breathing during the surgery. He said I scared them. Oops. Pleurectomy - removed the pleura (chest wall) lining on right lung and attached my lung to the chest wall. He said I have about 2000 tiny titanium staples with plastic tips now.

I’m so sorry. I know you didn’t need to hear all of this but two points. (1) I’m grateful to be here to tell about it even though I hate needing the oxygen and (2) just because I need it now doesn’t mean you will. Apples to oranges.
I wish you a happy recovery.
💚

Mentioned Users

A MyCOPDT...

Thank you for the information.
Are you on oxygen and if so, we're you on it before your surgery or after?

@A MyCOPDTeam Member - mine was a small cancerous nodule. No spread so he did a VATS resection. No chemo so the only problem I had was lots of pain. And the surgery made my breathing permanently worse since he took part of my lung. That was three years ago.

Mentioned Users

A MyCOPDT...

Thank KL. How was your treatment for the cancer while dealing with COPD?