low energy

Uncledenny
Uncledenny Member Posts: 13
in Kidney Cancer #1
I had my left kidney taken out 4 months ago because of cancer. I was out of work for 3 months. I`m back at work and I find I have very low energy. I am working full time and my job is physical too. Now I have to lay down for an hour in the middle of the day. I do realize I did have major surgery but I use to have so much energy.
And even though my last scans a month a go were clear I still get scared. Any time I get a little ache or pain somewhere I get alarmed. Anyone have thoughts.

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    Hang in there
    Your recovery is dependant on a lot of things. Age, general heath, physical condition, extent of surgery. Having a physical job it is not that surpising that almost 4 monnths later you do not have your strength back. Discuss this with your doctor and employer and do what you can without over doing it. Things do get better.
  • Sasa
    Sasa Member Posts: 10
    #3
    Hi.
    It was MAJOR SURGERY. Do not kid yourself. And, I, too, have extreme fatigue. I work in an office environment, but I have to sleep at lunch; I cannot wake up in the morning; I go to sleep the minute I get home, and I had my surgery August 11, 2009. I continue to have checkups every 4 months. I get scared every single time. I truly do. I'm scared now. Mine is coming up in March, and I've spent 1/2 day on this site instead of working, and I am thinking about going home.

    The CT Scan has burned some of my hair, which has made me a little angry, but considering what a lot of cancer patients go through with chemotherapy, etc., I hate to complain. But, I will bring it to my doctor's attention. I will be walking in with a long, long list of questions this time.

    I have gone and continue to have high anxiety levels and depression. I have been placed on Wellbutrin, Xanax and Lexapro. My emmotional state was at an all time high following the surgery. I completely went hysterical in my former primary care doctor's office, because after surgery, I felt like I had been placed on a piece of driftwood and shoved out to sea. Since then, I have changed primary care doctors; I have changed from my Urological Oconcologist Surgeon to an Oncologist with Georgia Cancer Specialists. I was going to a nutrionist prior to her being laidoff, and I am going to a wellness coach. She has been great.

    Being a man, I think you may have the "stoic" complex, like none of these experiences should relate to you, but believe me, they do. It is my prayer for you that you will be among the long term survivors, and this prayer, I pray for myself. With God for us? Who can be against us?

    Write back, and we will keep track of each other UncleDenny.
  • Uncledenny
    Uncledenny Member Posts: 13
    #4
    Sasa said:

    Hi.
    It was MAJOR SURGERY. Do not kid yourself. And, I, too, have extreme fatigue. I work in an office environment, but I have to sleep at lunch; I cannot wake up in the morning; I go to sleep the minute I get home, and I had my surgery August 11, 2009. I continue to have checkups every 4 months. I get scared every single time. I truly do. I'm scared now. Mine is coming up in March, and I've spent 1/2 day on this site instead of working, and I am thinking about going home.

    The CT Scan has burned some of my hair, which has made me a little angry, but considering what a lot of cancer patients go through with chemotherapy, etc., I hate to complain. But, I will bring it to my doctor's attention. I will be walking in with a long, long list of questions this time.

    I have gone and continue to have high anxiety levels and depression. I have been placed on Wellbutrin, Xanax and Lexapro. My emmotional state was at an all time high following the surgery. I completely went hysterical in my former primary care doctor's office, because after surgery, I felt like I had been placed on a piece of driftwood and shoved out to sea. Since then, I have changed primary care doctors; I have changed from my Urological Oconcologist Surgeon to an Oncologist with Georgia Cancer Specialists. I was going to a nutrionist prior to her being laidoff, and I am going to a wellness coach. She has been great.

    Being a man, I think you may have the "stoic" complex, like none of these experiences should relate to you, but believe me, they do. It is my prayer for you that you will be among the long term survivors, and this prayer, I pray for myself. With God for us? Who can be against us?

    Write back, and we will keep track of each other UncleDenny.

    Wow nice response panic attacks
    Wow Sasha
    That was so nice if you to write back. It's been awhile since I was on this site. I thought I was doing fine until last week. I had a panic attack . They just started but I had three in one week. Most horrible thing I have ever been through.!!! Well besides having kidney cancer. Turns out I have high blood pressure,especially in the morning . Before my kidney was out my blood pressure was great 112/70. How things have changed I always thought I could control my health with diet and exercise,I was wrong. Turns out I was wrong. Things have changed. I don't know what to do now,what should I eat how much exercise should I get. I have been told my blood pressure is up because I had my kidney out,major surgery. It has nothing to do with my diet or exercise . Like you I have no cholesterol problems and not overweight . I guess my body and mind have to learn to adjust to one kidney. It's not easy.
  • jnizzi
    jnizzi Member Posts: 18
    #5
    Low energy
    3 months after having my right kidney removed I still felt lathargic and tired all the time. I went to my doctor and was diagnosed with anemia. It is a simple blood test and a pretty easy fix! Good luck!
    Jenn
  • jhsu
    jhsu Member Posts: 80
    #6
    Mind and the body
    Sometimes it is a good idea that the mind should listen to what our body has to say. Let go of your cancer and forget about the damaged kidney that was removed. Get up and go out outdoors, focus your mind on the body's exercises at least an hour every day. You’ll feel good and the physical body will appreciate it.

    I had my left kidney cut off in May 2008; followed by a second surgery to wedge out a nodule already met to the left lung in June the same year. I had another surgery to remove a recurred nodule on the right lung May 2010. So far, my cancer fighting exploits are RCC stage IV with one recurrence, still living and kicking after 2 years and 10 months. I have cancer but cancer does not have me.
  • trulytall
    trulytall Member Posts: 14
    #7
    jhsu said:

    Mind and the body
    Sometimes it is a good idea that the mind should listen to what our body has to say. Let go of your cancer and forget about the damaged kidney that was removed. Get up and go out outdoors, focus your mind on the body's exercises at least an hour every day. You’ll feel good and the physical body will appreciate it.

    I had my left kidney cut off in May 2008; followed by a second surgery to wedge out a nodule already met to the left lung in June the same year. I had another surgery to remove a recurred nodule on the right lung May 2010. So far, my cancer fighting exploits are RCC stage IV with one recurrence, still living and kicking after 2 years and 10 months. I have cancer but cancer does not have me.

    thanks for the positive
    thanks for the positive thought jhsu....'I have cancer but cancer does not have me'. Definitely the best way to help get through all this is staying as positive as we can. I'm new to this support group and just want to say how wonderful it is to have someone that can relate to what I'm experiencing. I had a radical nephrectomy (on my left side)8 weeks ago, because of a malignant tumour and I still feel so frightened just thinking about it sometimes. Having the opportunity to chat here helps me out more than I can say. Thanks to everyone.
    Denise
  • trulytall
    trulytall Member Posts: 14
    #8
    I'm extremely impressed that
    I'm extremely impressed that you're back to work so soon after major surgery. I'm 3 months postop after an open,complete left nephrectomy and I don't have enough energy yet to even consider part time work!!! I was extremely active before surgery and get discouraged some days that recovery seems so slow for me....and like you, the fear can also become 'crippling'. But, I keep hearing the surgeons' words that he "feels confident that all the cancer was removed when the kidney was removed". And, I also have a wonderful support system in place but, most important to me are my children and grandkids...they are truly my motivators and inspiration to staying strong and healthy.
    All the best to you and your continued good health.
    Denise
  • jhsu
    jhsu Member Posts: 80
    #9
    trulytall said:

    I'm extremely impressed that
    I'm extremely impressed that you're back to work so soon after major surgery. I'm 3 months postop after an open,complete left nephrectomy and I don't have enough energy yet to even consider part time work!!! I was extremely active before surgery and get discouraged some days that recovery seems so slow for me....and like you, the fear can also become 'crippling'. But, I keep hearing the surgeons' words that he "feels confident that all the cancer was removed when the kidney was removed". And, I also have a wonderful support system in place but, most important to me are my children and grandkids...they are truly my motivators and inspiration to staying strong and healthy.
    All the best to you and your continued good health.
    Denise

    It feels so good to be alive
    It feels so good to be alive again. Go watch sunrise every morning, let the first light shine on you, and let it touch your heart. You feel life is full of hope, and the hope is on the rise. It'll bring out the self-healing power that you already have.

    For a 50-year old stage IV RCC man, I have survived for almost 3 years after the fist surgery. I pat myself on the back everyday for the good job done. You can do it too.

    My Mother also has RCC, discovered at her age of 90. I'll not be RCC free for the rest of my life. But I can live with it comfortably. I'm going to run my 10th marathon since my surgery in May. My heart is with you, Denise.
  • trulytall
    trulytall Member Posts: 14
    #10
    jhsu said:

    It feels so good to be alive
    It feels so good to be alive again. Go watch sunrise every morning, let the first light shine on you, and let it touch your heart. You feel life is full of hope, and the hope is on the rise. It'll bring out the self-healing power that you already have.

    For a 50-year old stage IV RCC man, I have survived for almost 3 years after the fist surgery. I pat myself on the back everyday for the good job done. You can do it too.

    My Mother also has RCC, discovered at her age of 90. I'll not be RCC free for the rest of my life. But I can live with it comfortably. I'm going to run my 10th marathon since my surgery in May. My heart is with you, Denise.

    thanks for your kind words
    thanks for your kind words and thoughts jhsu!! :))
    Denise
  • puppetman
    puppetman Member Posts: 53
    #11
    trulytall said:

    thanks for your kind words
    thanks for your kind words and thoughts jhsu!! :))
    Denise

    How long
    I go into the hospital on the 4th of May to get all of My right kidney removed, I wonder how long will it take for Me to be back to being 100% again, also , I am trying to find out what I cant eat after I have My kidney removed, I have talked to a Lady at My Church that was born with 1 kidney and says She eats anything She wants, I was born with 2 kidneys and will have 1 removed, so will I be able to eat the same as I do now?
  • jhsu
    jhsu Member Posts: 80
    #12
    trulytall said:

    thanks for your kind words
    thanks for your kind words and thoughts jhsu!! :))
    Denise

    The appreciation is mine if
    The appreciation is mine if our encounter brings out the better you.
    Jon
  • newenglandguy
    newenglandguy Member Posts: 66
    #13
    jhsu said:

    Mind and the body
    Sometimes it is a good idea that the mind should listen to what our body has to say. Let go of your cancer and forget about the damaged kidney that was removed. Get up and go out outdoors, focus your mind on the body's exercises at least an hour every day. You’ll feel good and the physical body will appreciate it.

    I had my left kidney cut off in May 2008; followed by a second surgery to wedge out a nodule already met to the left lung in June the same year. I had another surgery to remove a recurred nodule on the right lung May 2010. So far, my cancer fighting exploits are RCC stage IV with one recurrence, still living and kicking after 2 years and 10 months. I have cancer but cancer does not have me.

    Jhsu - are you on any drug like Sutent, etc
    Jshu - wondering what your course of treatment has been since being diagnosed Stage IV?
  • jhsu
    jhsu Member Posts: 80
    #14
    newenglandguy said:

    Jhsu - are you on any drug like Sutent, etc
    Jshu - wondering what your course of treatment has been since being diagnosed Stage IV?

    Treatment
    Hi newenglandguy,

    Target drug is for un-surgeable cases. I had all the detectable tumors removed, no target no drug. A healthy immune system is our best bet. So, beside follow-ups, I just keep on breathing and live everyday life like a new bliss.

    Jon
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #15
    jhsu said:

    The appreciation is mine if
    The appreciation is mine if our encounter brings out the better you.
    Jon

    low energy
    I too went from high energy to very low after surgery. I was also anemic. Iron pills solved it in a matter of a couple weeks and I was back running.

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