My mom is scheduled for a lobe removal on her left lung due to cancer. what can i expect on the healing process? she is 78 and in good shape.

Survival better: With resected patients, when curative surgery was done , even though you did not give info , fact scheduled for resection means early resectable stage ( only third of cases suitable for resection ) your mom should do better than other 2/3 , wait for final reports after surgery , you may even get better news good luck.

-: The recovery from lung surgery depends on other medical conditions and problems; i assume that her lung function is adequate enough for her to proceed with surgery so if everything goes well she should recover well; the outcomes from lung surgeries are generally better at larger high volume centers; if possible consider having surgery at a large volume center close by, .