Lung Cancer Surgery: What I Wasn't Prepared For | Part 3

"I was not prepared for what happened." What is recovery from lung cancer surgery really like? In the third episode of Facing Cancer with Eyes Wide Open, Dorthy Shore shares the difficult first days, the encouraging news, and the questions that remained after her surgery. Joining her Crazy Good Ageing co-host Valerie Freeman, Dorthy explains why a planned robotic procedure became open surgery—and how her surgeon removed the upper lobe of her left lung, a small portion of the lower lobe, and repaired her pulmonary artery. She opens up about pain, her hospital stay, accepting help from friends, and the unexpected challenge of returning to Jackson Hole's higher altitude during recovery. In this conversation: • Why Dorthy sought opinions from three cancer centers • What happened during her lung cancer surgery • Clean surgical margins and negative lymph nodes—and why further review was still needed • The physical and emotional realities of recovery • How faith, prayer, and friendship supported her • Questions about additional treatment after surgery • Her message about speaking up and advocating for your health This episode was recorded during Dorthy's early recovery. References to upcoming appointments, testing, and treatment decisions reflect what she knew at that time. WATCH THE SERIES Part 1: • Special Series - Facing Cancer with Eyes W... Part 2: • Special Series - Facing Cancer with Eyes W... Subscribe to Crazy Good Ageing for honest conversations about health, reinvention, and making the most of life after 50. Visit https://primewomen.com and sign up for our free newsletter for women over 50. This conversation shares a personal experience, not medical advice. Discuss symptoms, screening, treatment, and travel after surgery with your healthcare team. #LungCancer #LungCancerRecovery #CrazyGoodAgeing Chapters 00:00 Facing Cancer with Eyes Wide Open: Part 3 01:18 Why surgery was more complicated than expected 03:40 Removing the tumor and repairing the pulmonary artery 05:02 Pathology results: good news and remaining questions 06:37 Early recovery and follow-up plans 07:14 Returning to Jackson Hole after surgery 09:06 What Dorthy wasn't prepared for 10:56 Why help at home mattered 11:28 Finding the cancer and following up 12:45 Faith, prayer, and support 14:39 Advocating for yourself and preparing for recovery 16:53 Tumor board review and possible next steps 19:02 Gratitude and lessons to share