Open partial nephrectomy pain

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shtrobe
shtrobe Member Posts: 1
in Kidney Cancer #1

I had an open partial nephectomy done at Mayo clinic on June 11 2019. The circumstances were a bit odd because I was born with only one kidney and I already had stage 3 kidney disease when I was diagnosed. The good news is that they removed a 4.5 cm tumor and the margins were clear, so they said that I am cured of cancer. The sort of alarming news is that I will most likely need a transplant in the future.

I am so glad that I asked for a second opiniion from Mayo because they told me that the procedure that they wanted to do at my local hospital was extremely sub-optimal. As a result of the impressive care I recieved, I am going to be able to move forward without the fear of the cancer reoccuring because of cells that may have been missed and left behind.

Now for the fear I have moving forward with my recovery. I am having a lot of pain and it has already been a month since my surgery. I am having an intense burning pain close to the middle of my back and I fear that there may be something going on with the nerves where they removed my 12th rib. I am also having a lot of pain in the front of my abdomen even after the swelling has gone down. I do not like to take pain medication but have found it neessary if I want to have any relief. I only take it when I am especially suffering, but during those time I have found that it is the only way to maintain any quality of life.

I was just wondering if there is anyone else who has suffered pain after the doctors have said there should not be any. I already have chronic pain from injuries I suffered almost 30 years ago and I cannot stand the though of adding anymore pain in the long term. I have barely been able to maintain a level of pain that I can live with for the past few years and I don't think I could stand adding to that.

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  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
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    Welcome

    Strophe,

     

    Welcome to the club which no one in their right mind would volunteer to join. As far as pain it is normal 1 month out. Sometimes doctors who have not been on our side of the scapel do not appreciate what post surfical pain is like. The amount of pain you describe huwever is a little high  so keep insisting  the doctors check it out.

     

     

     

     

     

    icemantoo

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #3
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    Just one month out you can

    Just one month out you can expect some pain. And if medication helps, nothing wrong with taking it. If pain continues or worsens discuss it with your surgeon/physician, however. All the best to you.

  • stub1969
    stub1969 Member Posts: 966 Member
    edited July 2019 #4
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    Activity something else?

    I'm not trying to insult you with my questioning, but I'm curious, have you done any lifting or other activity that could have caused the pain you describe.  The reason I'm asking is I was one of those people that pushed my recovery and was doing some of the same activity prior to my surgery.  After I experienced some abdominal pain (pretty harsh pain) I accepted that I just needed to rest more.  It worked and the pain slowly went away.

    If you have not done anything that you think would have pulled or messed with your abdomen, then I'm with Iceman and APny.  Continue to reach out to your medical team and take your pain meds.

    Good luck!

    Stub

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