Open partial nephrectomy

cucas87

flatlander said:

Hope ur Dad is draining now?
I myself was told I may have my stent pulled this week or next. I hope his stent worked and they didnt have to add second drain as they did on me. Keep us posted

here's the scoop
Flatlander, I'm so glad to hear that you won't need the stent much longer. That's wonderful news. And thanks for asking about my Dad. He's doing pretty well. He's been home for one week; he's now in the house by himself (I left a few days ago and my brother stayed until yesterday, but my Dad was interested in getting his house back!), just as he was prior to surgery. He hasn't taken any pain medicine since four days after the surgery. He's walking fine. The urine leakge, however, is continuing. While he was in the hospital, the medical team actually did a second stent procedure to reposition the stent, and in the week since he's been home he has continued to have significant -- although slightly decreasing -- drainage. Today my Dad was asked by the doctor to reduce the suction on the drain near the incision, to see if that will encourage the urine to flow out through the catheter (and not the drain). I know my Dad will be pleased when the drains and tubes are gone because then he'll really have his independence back. Also, he's working hard to recover because he will need to have a second surgery -- to remove a very large mass from his lung -- but that mass, miraculously is benign. The lung mass is twice as large as the kidney tumor (the doctors called it "huge"), so the fact that the overall news is good as to the kidney cancer is such a gift.

If you all don't mind reading a few words from a patient's daughter, I'll add that it's amazing how strong my Dad has been, and how strong everyone here is. I'm stunned that I knew so little about kidney cancer, and I will do my part to help increase awareness and I'll support all research into this sneaky disease. If any patient's family members are reading this post, please don't mind if I make 3 practical suggestions in addition to all of the good advice that everyone here has posted: (1) while your family member is in the hospital, do what you can to connect with the nursing staff in the hospital, as they are the (very overworked) prime caretakers and will appreciate your efforts -- and it will make it easier for you when you need to ask them for help -- and you will; (2) don't be afraid to speak up if you have questions or your family member needs help. My father had prostate cancer 11 years ago but did not have surgery for it (he had radiation), so this was his first real hospital stay. We had a lot of questions as to what was happening, why certain procedures were necessary, etc., and we simply asked as politely and in as straight-forward a manner as we could; and (3) as soon as your family member is eating solid food, talk to the doctors and find out what foods are ok and see if you can bring in food from the outside (home cooked or store bought) because it both helps in terms of normalizing things and in terms of appetite.

I'm sending good thoughts and many thanks to everyone here.

lawmanmike

cucas87 said:

here's the scoop
Flatlander, I'm so glad to hear that you won't need the stent much longer. That's wonderful news. And thanks for asking about my Dad. He's doing pretty well. He's been home for one week; he's now in the house by himself (I left a few days ago and my brother stayed until yesterday, but my Dad was interested in getting his house back!), just as he was prior to surgery. He hasn't taken any pain medicine since four days after the surgery. He's walking fine. The urine leakge, however, is continuing. While he was in the hospital, the medical team actually did a second stent procedure to reposition the stent, and in the week since he's been home he has continued to have significant -- although slightly decreasing -- drainage. Today my Dad was asked by the doctor to reduce the suction on the drain near the incision, to see if that will encourage the urine to flow out through the catheter (and not the drain). I know my Dad will be pleased when the drains and tubes are gone because then he'll really have his independence back. Also, he's working hard to recover because he will need to have a second surgery -- to remove a very large mass from his lung -- but that mass, miraculously is benign. The lung mass is twice as large as the kidney tumor (the doctors called it "huge"), so the fact that the overall news is good as to the kidney cancer is such a gift.

If you all don't mind reading a few words from a patient's daughter, I'll add that it's amazing how strong my Dad has been, and how strong everyone here is. I'm stunned that I knew so little about kidney cancer, and I will do my part to help increase awareness and I'll support all research into this sneaky disease. If any patient's family members are reading this post, please don't mind if I make 3 practical suggestions in addition to all of the good advice that everyone here has posted: (1) while your family member is in the hospital, do what you can to connect with the nursing staff in the hospital, as they are the (very overworked) prime caretakers and will appreciate your efforts -- and it will make it easier for you when you need to ask them for help -- and you will; (2) don't be afraid to speak up if you have questions or your family member needs help. My father had prostate cancer 11 years ago but did not have surgery for it (he had radiation), so this was his first real hospital stay. We had a lot of questions as to what was happening, why certain procedures were necessary, etc., and we simply asked as politely and in as straight-forward a manner as we could; and (3) as soon as your family member is eating solid food, talk to the doctors and find out what foods are ok and see if you can bring in food from the outside (home cooked or store bought) because it both helps in terms of normalizing things and in terms of appetite.

I'm sending good thoughts and many thanks to everyone here.

Great Scoop
I'm so glad to hear your father is doing so well and is getting back to his independence! So soon off the meds is pretty impressive and I hope he continues to do well! Good luck to you both!

cucas87

lawmanmike said:

Great Scoop
I'm so glad to hear your father is doing so well and is getting back to his independence! So soon off the meds is pretty impressive and I hope he continues to do well! Good luck to you both!

And still...
How is everyone doing? I'm hoping that this is a good week for everyone. As for my family, we are almost a month out from the surgery and my father is feeling well, but still has the catheter and the drain. The doctor is concerned that the kidney is still leaking a fair amount of urine, so they are doing more bloodwork and will probably do a CT scan later this week. I know my father is frustrated and looking forward to getting rid of the tubes. We all are grateful that overall his recovery has gone so well. And grateful that they were able to spare his kidney, because if they had been unable to save the kidney, my father would likely be on dialysis at this point -- so I want you to know we are keeping perspective. And it is impressive to me is that the doctor is following up and closely monitoring his progress. That said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this issue will resolve and that the tubes will be removed without too many additional procedures (or additional anatomy lessons).

lerixon

lawmanmike said:

Open Partial Nephrectomy
Thank you all for sharing your stories...they are very encouraging. I am about to undergo an open partial nephrectomy next week and my nerves have been getting to me worrying about how long the recovery will be, whether I will be able to be as active as I am used to, etc... I'm glad to see people doing so well after even a few weeks post-op. My surgeon is telling me I will be out of work (I'm an attorney) for at least 3 months after surgery and I wasn't sure what to expect for those three months. I am hoping the pain is manageable and I will be able to follow Blackbelt's example and get my butt moving as soon as possible. They are making a side incision and not going through my abdomen which I hope makes the recovery and return to activity easier. It's never a good to find out you have cancer, but I feel very fortunate to have it discovered early and at a time when there is something that can be done to correct it. Wish me luck!

Hello
Mike....I just found this sight and read your post. I am also having an open partial nephrectomy April 18th. I hope at this point, you are well on your way to recovery. This has been a scary discovery and I have worked myself into a bundle of nerves being online. I just wanted to make contact with others that understand this situation. As you, I feel fortunate it was found earlier rather than later. My doctor says it doesnt appear to have spread....and i pray that is truly the case. I hope all is well and you are feeling much better.

garym

lerixon said:

Hello
Mike....I just found this sight and read your post. I am also having an open partial nephrectomy April 18th. I hope at this point, you are well on your way to recovery. This has been a scary discovery and I have worked myself into a bundle of nerves being online. I just wanted to make contact with others that understand this situation. As you, I feel fortunate it was found earlier rather than later. My doctor says it doesnt appear to have spread....and i pray that is truly the case. I hope all is well and you are feeling much better.

Welcome to the club...
lerixon,

Unfortunately Mike has decided to leave the board for awhile to work on a new book, we hope he returns, in his absence allow me to welcome you to the club. Hearing that you have cancer and you need surgery all in one breath is a very scary experience, here, you have found a supportive group of people that have all shared that experience and will help you through the process as needed. Fear, anxiety, and emotional ups and downs are all normal, and because things seem to happen very fast a sense that you have lost control is common as well. Found early and doesn't appear to have spread are two very positive things in your favor, the cure rate in cases like this is near 100%. The surgery and recovery are not fun, it will take longer to recover from an open procedure like you are having, but it is a small price to pay for what should be a very long life afterwards. It sometimes takes work, but maintaining a positive attitude through it all will serve you well, don't dread the surgery, think of it instead as the greatest gift you will ever receive, the gift of life. I'm sure you will be hearing from others along the way, we're here when and for whatever you need us.

One other thought, your post is kinda buried in the middle of this thread, you will likely get a better response from others here by starting a new topic or thread, its easy, there is a link at the top of the main page. It'll make you more visible.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Gary

cucas87

cucas87 said:

And still...
How is everyone doing? I'm hoping that this is a good week for everyone. As for my family, we are almost a month out from the surgery and my father is feeling well, but still has the catheter and the drain. The doctor is concerned that the kidney is still leaking a fair amount of urine, so they are doing more bloodwork and will probably do a CT scan later this week. I know my father is frustrated and looking forward to getting rid of the tubes. We all are grateful that overall his recovery has gone so well. And grateful that they were able to spare his kidney, because if they had been unable to save the kidney, my father would likely be on dialysis at this point -- so I want you to know we are keeping perspective. And it is impressive to me is that the doctor is following up and closely monitoring his progress. That said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this issue will resolve and that the tubes will be removed without too many additional procedures (or additional anatomy lessons).

Checking Back In
I wanted to let everyone know that I still think of everyone here. I had some trouble logging in for a while, but wanted to get back in touch and send my own good wishes. As for my father, he continues to recovery from the surgery he had in January. He still has a drain from the kidney surgery (the catheter was removed about 4-6 weeks ago), but it looks like that will be removed soon. On Friday he will have another surgery to remove the large mass in his lung -- meaning he will have the surgery even though he still has the drain from the kidney surgery. All these weeks later I still recall how comforted I was in January by the good thoughts and helpful advice from everyone here. I send my best wishes to everyone.

tennesongr152

Good luck
Hi Von,

Hope you get better completely. I read you experiences and really want to know what's your current status. I am doctor. Recently, I am doing an experiment by tracking the persons with surgery.

I am looking forward to your reply. Thanks!


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darknight

I just had my partial nephrectomy

I am now 1 week post-op of a partial nephrectomy of my left kidney. It didn't hit me before the seriousness of the situation I'm in. I knew what I had, but was still shock. I kept saying, I'm only 25 and never had to undergo anything like this. Really? The C-word? Man did it opened my eyes. The pathology report came back and showed that they got it all. So I'm glad about that and there is a 99% chance of it not returning. I guess I'm just looking for a few answers, like everyone else. I'm still swollen and know I got a long way to go before I'm healed and able to get back out there. I just hope it is soon. I'm a paramedic student and had to put off my clinical rotation for this surgery and healing time. I just don't know how long it is going to be. And I am surious if anyone has had their tumor come back? That is my fear, to have to go through this again. I hate feeling helpless and can't do anything. I have never been down before, never the one to sit on my butt at home and hell, I have barely been sick in my life. So I guess this is why it is a little harder for me. Any help or support is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Texas_wedge

darknight said:

I just had my partial nephrectomy

I am now 1 week post-op of a partial nephrectomy of my left kidney. It didn't hit me before the seriousness of the situation I'm in. I knew what I had, but was still shock. I kept saying, I'm only 25 and never had to undergo anything like this. Really? The C-word? Man did it opened my eyes. The pathology report came back and showed that they got it all. So I'm glad about that and there is a 99% chance of it not returning. I guess I'm just looking for a few answers, like everyone else. I'm still swollen and know I got a long way to go before I'm healed and able to get back out there. I just hope it is soon. I'm a paramedic student and had to put off my clinical rotation for this surgery and healing time. I just don't know how long it is going to be. And I am surious if anyone has had their tumor come back? That is my fear, to have to go through this again. I hate feeling helpless and can't do anything. I have never been down before, never the one to sit on my butt at home and hell, I have barely been sick in my life. So I guess this is why it is a little harder for me. Any help or support is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Make haste slowly!!

You've got your path report - can you share it with us?  Is - or rather, was - your RCC collecting duct variety and, if not, what sub-type - clear cell?  Presumably it classifies as stage 1 and grade 1? 

At 3 cm. you have every chance you'll never have a recurrence but I guess you'll stick around here for a while for advice on the healing process etc?  You'll learn a lot more (which won't do your carrer any harm either!) and you'll know what to keep an eye open for so that you'll know how to react in the unlikely event that you do have a re-visit.

It's really not relevant to your case to ask whether others here have had recurrences.   Many, many of us have, but  our cases are all very different from yours.  To illustrate - like you, I'd barely been sick in my life by the time of my dx at 69 (can only remember having one night in a hospital (removal of a couple of wisdom teeth - pity about the wisdom).  I had a nephrectomy in Dec 2011 and immediate recurrence - another tumor, almost as large as yours, removed through the same 10" open incision at the end of March.  This was followed virtually instantaneously by appearance of another tumor which was not visible in April but was five times the volume of yours by the summer.   I still have it, along with a couple of compromised retroperitoneal lymph nodes for all of which I'm now on one of the newest "targeted therapies", Votrient, on which I seem to be doing fine, with the ab wall tumor shrinking.  However, VERY UNLIKE you, my path was stage 4 and grade 4 with substantial sarcomatous change - about the worst news you can get.

There are plenty of similar stories to be had here, the highest profile one currently being foxhd - a charismatic, gutsy and very funny PT - our poster boy for how to handle this illness.  You could do worse than read up some of his threads on the MDX-1106 (now generically named nivolumab) trial that he's in.  He was only expected (by RCC experts) to last a few months and is doing extremely well another year or so on.

The question you should have asked is whether there are others in your boat (in their twenties with a small tumor, caught early) who've had a recurrence - you'll find they are very few and far between.  It's possible but so unlikely that you should stop worrying about it.  The regular scans you'll be getting for a while will provide you with ongoing re-assurance that all is well.

The best continuing support your Wife can give you now is to remind you that your chances are very good that you are totally cured.  The other thing she should do is ensure you don't push yourself too soon.  You're young and will probably soon feel you want to get on with your career, but if you get too ambitious in the first few months you are at risk of setting your recovery back.  So, keep on with plenty of fluid intake and regular but not unduly strenuous exercise until you're ready for it - back off the moment you find you're overdoing it.

You won't really need much luck, but I wish you the best of it anyway!

PS - you'll need to keep a close eye on your BP, as I guess you know.  Do you know why it's been so high? No smoking, regular exercise, appropriate diet and don't be overweight.

darknight

Texas_wedge said:

Make haste slowly!!

You've got your path report - can you share it with us?  Is - or rather, was - your RCC collecting duct variety and, if not, what sub-type - clear cell?  Presumably it classifies as stage 1 and grade 1? 

At 3 cm. you have every chance you'll never have a recurrence but I guess you'll stick around here for a while for advice on the healing process etc?  You'll learn a lot more (which won't do your carrer any harm either!) and you'll know what to keep an eye open for so that you'll know how to react in the unlikely event that you do have a re-visit.

It's really not relevant to your case to ask whether others here have had recurrences.   Many, many of us have, but  our cases are all very different from yours.  To illustrate - like you, I'd barely been sick in my life by the time of my dx at 69 (can only remember having one night in a hospital (removal of a couple of wisdom teeth - pity about the wisdom).  I had a nephrectomy in Dec 2011 and immediate recurrence - another tumor, almost as large as yours, removed through the same 10" open incision at the end of March.  This was followed virtually instantaneously by appearance of another tumor which was not visible in April but was five times the volume of yours by the summer.   I still have it, along with a couple of compromised retroperitoneal lymph nodes for all of which I'm now on one of the newest "targeted therapies", Votrient, on which I seem to be doing fine, with the ab wall tumor shrinking.  However, VERY UNLIKE you, my path was stage 4 and grade 4 with substantial sarcomatous change - about the worst news you can get.

There are plenty of similar stories to be had here, the highest profile one currently being foxhd - a charismatic, gutsy and very funny PT - our poster boy for how to handle this illness.  You could do worse than read up some of his threads on the MDX-1106 (now generically named nivolumab) trial that he's in.  He was only expected (by RCC experts) to last a few months and is doing extremely well another year or so on.

The question you should have asked is whether there are others in your boat (in their twenties with a small tumor, caught early) who've had a recurrence - you'll find they are very few and far between.  It's possible but so unlikely that you should stop worrying about it.  The regular scans you'll be getting for a while will provide you with ongoing re-assurance that all is well.

The best continuing support your Wife can give you now is to remind you that your chances are very good that you are totally cured.  The other thing she should do is ensure you don't push yourself too soon.  You're young and will probably soon feel you want to get on with your career, but if you get too ambitious in the first few months you are at risk of setting your recovery back.  So, keep on with plenty of fluid intake and regular but not unduly strenuous exercise until you're ready for it - back off the moment you find you're overdoing it.

You won't really need much luck, but I wish you the best of it anyway!

PS - you'll need to keep a close eye on your BP, as I guess you know.  Do you know why it's been so high? No smoking, regular exercise, appropriate diet and don't be overweight.

Thanks

Maybe I should have asked different questions. At this time, I'm not sure what to ask really. All this happened pretty darn fast and still taking it all in. As for the path report, I personally have not seen it. Just going by what the doctor said. He told me it was a Mild Renal Cell Carcinoma. That it was not as aggressive as most. I go back today, so I will ask all this.

Thanks for your input on how your situation has been. It apparently has been tough. You are right, I am curious if others my age has had this problem. The doctor just seemed to be shocked to see this in me. The only reasoning he has for me getting this is a medical history predisposition. That is it. And with the BP, It has went down since the tumor has been removed. The doctor suspected it to be the cause of my high BP. He said that the tumor acted as an aid to tell the kidney it needed to release more Renin into my system which caused the elevation. Ever since the removal of the blasted thing, my BP has been normal, better than it has been in the last couple of years. I don't smoke, exercise regularly, and eat healthy. I'm not overweight, I am a generally healthy person. That is why this was such a big shock to me. I have always stayed on the right track to try an avoid stuff like this. But no matter what you do, if your body was meant to have something, it is going to I guess.

But I am taking it easy. You say a few months? So that would mean little strenuous activity for a few months? Just asking because I know it depends on per person, like everything else, but an estimated ball park number is always good. I know it takes a while for everything to heal, but getting back out there is crucial to me.

Thanks again for your feedback. Hope to have more info later.

Mimir

darknight said:

Thanks

Maybe I should have asked different questions. At this time, I'm not sure what to ask really. All this happened pretty darn fast and still taking it all in. As for the path report, I personally have not seen it. Just going by what the doctor said. He told me it was a Mild Renal Cell Carcinoma. That it was not as aggressive as most. I go back today, so I will ask all this.

Thanks for your input on how your situation has been. It apparently has been tough. You are right, I am curious if others my age has had this problem. The doctor just seemed to be shocked to see this in me. The only reasoning he has for me getting this is a medical history predisposition. That is it. And with the BP, It has went down since the tumor has been removed. The doctor suspected it to be the cause of my high BP. He said that the tumor acted as an aid to tell the kidney it needed to release more Renin into my system which caused the elevation. Ever since the removal of the blasted thing, my BP has been normal, better than it has been in the last couple of years. I don't smoke, exercise regularly, and eat healthy. I'm not overweight, I am a generally healthy person. That is why this was such a big shock to me. I have always stayed on the right track to try an avoid stuff like this. But no matter what you do, if your body was meant to have something, it is going to I guess.

But I am taking it easy. You say a few months? So that would mean little strenuous activity for a few months? Just asking because I know it depends on per person, like everything else, but an estimated ball park number is always good. I know it takes a while for everything to heal, but getting back out there is crucial to me.

Thanks again for your feedback. Hope to have more info later.

Activity

Darknight,

I had a radical December 31 2012. Three weeks later I was back in college. Three weeks after that I was back in the gym lifting weights and running.  Now I feel 99% back to normal. While I am  younger than you, I imagine you will probably have a faster than normal recovery.  That said, don't push yourself. Everyone reacts  and heals differently. I would say wait 6 weeks before you do any strenous acitivty no matter how you feel.  After  six weeks, listen to your body and do as much as you feel you can do.

Texas_wedge

darknight said:

Thanks

Maybe I should have asked different questions. At this time, I'm not sure what to ask really. All this happened pretty darn fast and still taking it all in. As for the path report, I personally have not seen it. Just going by what the doctor said. He told me it was a Mild Renal Cell Carcinoma. That it was not as aggressive as most. I go back today, so I will ask all this.

Thanks for your input on how your situation has been. It apparently has been tough. You are right, I am curious if others my age has had this problem. The doctor just seemed to be shocked to see this in me. The only reasoning he has for me getting this is a medical history predisposition. That is it. And with the BP, It has went down since the tumor has been removed. The doctor suspected it to be the cause of my high BP. He said that the tumor acted as an aid to tell the kidney it needed to release more Renin into my system which caused the elevation. Ever since the removal of the blasted thing, my BP has been normal, better than it has been in the last couple of years. I don't smoke, exercise regularly, and eat healthy. I'm not overweight, I am a generally healthy person. That is why this was such a big shock to me. I have always stayed on the right track to try an avoid stuff like this. But no matter what you do, if your body was meant to have something, it is going to I guess.

But I am taking it easy. You say a few months? So that would mean little strenuous activity for a few months? Just asking because I know it depends on per person, like everything else, but an estimated ball park number is always good. I know it takes a while for everything to heal, but getting back out there is crucial to me.

Thanks again for your feedback. Hope to have more info later.

Strenuous activity

You'll have been advised, I imagine, not to lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for the first few weeks.  However, on the basis of your health profile and age you'll pobably be back to pretty well normal functioning in about 6 - 8 weeks.  There have been a few athletic guys here who've felt so good they've pitched back in at the gym almost immediately, felt fine for a month or two but a bit later on have paid the price - backing off again for a while to the point that they've actually delayed their full recovery.  So play your way back in carefully and pay close attention to what your body is telling you.

A look through the thread entitled "Getting tired"  may be helpful - it's at:

http://csn.cancer.org/node/232707

augello55

tom_in_VT said:

Open Partial Nephrectomy
Mike
I'm 3 weeks out of the hospital, my incision looks like Flatlander's at the bottom of this thread - Pain meds are weening away and I feel generally OK. Washing a sink full of dishes wiped me out the other day but my stamina will come around! (or it's paper plates for me!!!) My goal b/4 surgery was 4 weeks out of work - maybe now 6 weeks is a bit more realistic. I think my best asset heading up to surgery was a positive attitude - I envisioned the surgery as 'minor' and would not let it get to me. My blood pressure in the prep area was 117/75 - I let my mind take me to another place and placed my fate in the hands (and training) of my surgeon. I kissed my wife and woke up ~6 hours later with a morphine pump hooked to my I.V. (Holy cow what a good idea, a morphine pump!) keep your spirits high, ask your surgeon questions, tell everyone in your life you are going to be fine & that you love them, get an Ipod and load up your favorite distractions for your hospital stay. As a friend I have had since grade school (~1969) told me, this is a speed bump, intended to get you focused on stuff that really matters.
Godspeed Mike!

Tom

still recovering

I am 6 weeks post op   and sooo thankful that I found this website.  I laughed at your dishwashing comment because the same thing happened to me, so when I read your post to my husband he laughed...because who sleeps for almost 2 hrs after washing 12 dishes LOL   ahhh yes the morphine pump....they should allow you to come home with one for the first 2 weeks ha ha.  I was up and walking the day after surgery....I wanted out of the hospital ASAP.  and was sent home 3 days after surgery..however the muscle spasms I encounter on day 5, 6 and 7 were god awful and i thought for sure i was going back in.  my dr asked me about pain meds, which i was not taking on a regular basis because i didn't realize i was in pain...i was just really uncomfortable....boy did i learn...they give you those drugs for a reason ...duh...   I have had several surgeries over the years, and I had a hysterectomy just a little over 3 months prior to this surgery. I also exptected my recovery to be like those..ha ha...boy was I fooled.   I am FINALLY just starting to feel "normal"   last night was the first night in 6 weeks that I actually spent the entire night in my bed and slept most of it...over the past week i had tried several times only to last only a couple of hrs.  I too thought about 6 weeks out of surgery...i am hoping to back in the next 2, however realistcally i should be looking at another 4 weeks out of work.  

 

I do have one other (maybe 2) other questions    I have very little appetite (this is abnormal for me ha ha)  I literally force myself to eat most of the time (because i am diabetic)  popsicles and jello have become my best friends...i feel as if there is a really tight belt across the very top part of my stomach...and i feel like there is something in my side  (the length of my 15" scar)  almost like i can't bend over....i can't wait for that feeling to go away!!   did you experience any of that.   my dr says its all normal?

McDMan

OPEN PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY

I had mine in Jun 2012 on the left kidney. My doctor had to remove about 30% of the kidney. I needed mobility assitance getting up from bed as my left side hurt for about 2-3 weeks. Even now, 2 yrs later, I still have a 'sore-uncomfortable' feeling on my left side where the operation was. Does everyone else have this 'feeling'?

As a warning...I was exercising on a tread-climber after about 2 weeks only moderately. However, my kidney started bleeding and I was literally pissing blood and my bladder kept filling up very quickly. Luckily it was in the evening and my wife rushed me to the hospital but not after I was forced to relieve myself on the car seat (which had to be replaced...luckily this was a company car and took care of the cost). So I spend another week in the hospital and underwent a procedure to clot the kidney while I was awake. The worst part was having a catheter input in me multiple times because the blood 'clotted', then they found out it was latex and I'm allergic to latex,and then finally to use a 'bigger' catheter to remove the clots. Suffice to say that this experience was not pleasant as all you men can attest to.