Just had a lobectomy (upper right) two weeks ago. I needed limited oxygen upon discharge, and haven't used any at all for 6 days. While I'm not at full capacity, I feeling like I'm functioning really well, and each day brings me a little closer to normal.

Bev,
I read an article from Henry Ford Health that said, if the patient is or was a smoker, loss of one of the upper lobes may have little to no affect on their pulmonary function. This is due to the fact that the upper lobes are the most damaged by the smoking and may have already lost a good amount of functional use.
If you were a smoker, maybe that is a little light in the storm.
Tony

If you had a VATS surgery, recovery is much shorter then the radical thru ribs surgery. Despite a clean upper R lobectomy and lymph nodes (T1cNoMo) after almost two years post surgery (VATS and the chest tube was the only discomfort), it's was difficult to walk 50 feet without becoming short of breath but after an ah-ha moment, discovered breathing issues were from bronchial COPD. Now using inhaler (ANORO) daily and breathing is much improved except when exerting myself. New Years resolution is to get into physical therapy to improve my strength.

I also had lobectomy 3 weeks ago. I am sore because of surgery but take Tylenol. I feel a little sick most of the time but do some light weights and walk. I am having 4 sessions of chemo starting in January to make sure all the microscopic stuff is gone. After that I have to take a pill forever. Also doing physical therapy starting next week. I sleep a lot but not comfortably. Finally got appetite back.

I had 2/3 of right upper lobe removed robotic assisted VATS in March. I have had some shortness of breath with activity which continues to gradually resolve. I had a terrible cough after surgery. I talked to the doctor who gave me a prescription which helped significantly. The cough also gradually resolved Do breathing exercises, walk walk walk. I am doing 3 miles most days. It does not affect my ability to function other than to slow me down a little time to time.

The remaining part of the lung will expand to take up the space left from the lobe removal.

You can do this. Temporary inconveniences on your road to healing. It also I believe much less than side effects of chemo and or radiation.