New to the Club - post op information

KrisKB123

My internist ordered a Heart Scan for me, and when I called to make the appointment the woman doing the scheduling suggested that I "upgrade" and have a full body scan for an extra $500. I scheduled the full scan. Ironically, upon arrival at the facility, the young man doing the scans tried and tried to talk me out of it. My husband said "Hey we're here. Get it done!" A 9.5 cm mass was found on my left kidney. My internist called me and immediately scheduled a CT with and without contrast, and referred me to a urological surgeon in a university setting. The next opening was 4+ weeks away, but I understand this surgeon is superb. I had a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy on September 23 and came home 48 hours later. The results were a RCC Stage IIb. I am on post-op day 10 and still in a lot of pain - I am actually surprised since I typically have a very high pain tolerance. I have low energy and decreased appetite. Can anyone share their post op experience if you had something similar.

 

Rob57

My experience

I had a robotic radial necphrectomy on my left kidney in May of 2012. I was in and out of the hospital in less than 24 hours. Spent 3 weeks at home resting  before I was able to go back to work again. It took me another two to three weeks after that to not feel like I was going to collapse by 3 pm at work everyday. A week after surgery I was still pretty weak and did not do much of anything other than lay on the couch. What I did do that I believe helped with my overall recovery was that every couple of hours I made myself get up and walk around for about 5 to 10 minutes. Nothing strenuous, just getting up and walking slowly back and forth between the living room where the couch was and the dining room. Just walking in a path between the two. You have to remeber that the doctor had to go through a lot of muscle and tissue to get to your kidney. This is major surgery and not something that will just get better after a week or two. It takes a good six weeks to two months to feel somewhat normal again.

icemantoo

That $500 may hhave saved your life

Kris,

If that 9.5 cm tumor had been allowed to grow undected things would have been a lot worse. I was nephed 14 years ago and I was back to a slow normal in about 6 weeks. I was 59 years young then and 73 now. A lot depends on your age and health as far as recovery. No 2 recoveries are exactly the same. So far you are only 10 days out and you just had major surgery. Sorry there is no way to sugar coat a neph. A neph of  that already. Good luck on your recovery. It took me 11 months post neph until I was able to go water skiing. None of that for now.

 

 

Icemantoo

KrisKB123

Thanks

Thanks Rob and Icemantoo! I am 63 and used to working long hours. So it is really hard to slow done, but the pain is a good reminder for me. This is very scary!

Jan4you

OH, Kris, sorry for what you

OH, Kris, sorry for what you are going through, but as you know, you are still healing. I wonder where your pain is coming from? Remember, your INSIDES are healing, tissues is sensitive and swells. Fatigue and anemia can make you feel worse. I wore a lumbar wrap used for bad backs as it helped support my aching, healing muscles/tissues. I also put dry ice inside the wrap, but against clothing, to reduce any swelling, esp around the larger incision. I even wore it to bed and when sitting as it helped me get UP.

I asked my surgeon to order blood test for anemia, which he didn't think was necessary but did it. I WAS anemic. Started taking Slow FE iron tablets, and rested often through out the day.

I also took walks. Remember no exercise for 30 days or whatever your surgeon recommends. You won't want to tear anything inside or cause hernias from strain.

Keep us informed and ask about any concerns. Take good care of you!! It is important.

Sending you healing vibes and a gentle hug,

Jan

Dutch1

I have to agree

I have to agree with the others.  It takes time to recover from this sort of surgery.  You'll start to feel better, then have a minor setback.  Then a couple of more steps forward.  You will feel a lot better ... after a slow recovery process. 

You have to count your blessings as to finding this cancer now rather than much later.  RCC is usually found by accident.  Your accident happened early enough such that you can be pretty optimistic about your recovery prospects.

Call your doctor when you feel you need to while recovering.  Take things slow.  Be vigilant as to your follow up procedures. 

Dutch

Footstomper

I remember

Walking to the kitchen and back

Walking down the front garden path and back

Walking to the end of the block

Walking to the other end of the block

Walking round the block

Taking my dog for a walk (Two blocks)

That was about a month and a half, possibly longer

Patience is a virtue

donna_lee

I once was 63...

and that was 10 years ago when an ultrasound for maybe gall stones turned into a full surgery for Stage IV renal cell cancer that had mets to liver and nodes.

Lap surgery is still surgery, every layer of muscle, sheath, and organs have to be cut or moved to make way for the tools that exert pressure on whatever they are touching.  Add the anesthesia effects, the cleansed colon, the pain meds following and you have a recipe for taking it easy.

I admit, I developed pancreatitis, which was a set-back; but it wasn't until 6 weeks post that I even began to feel human.  Because I'm part owner of the business where I work, I could go to work for a few hours and then go home.

Don't push yourself too hard, don't over-do, or it can come back to bite you in the bu...

And my bone scan was done to see if the mets had gone into the bones-luckily NOT.

You were truly lucky that someone suggested the full scan and you accepted. 

Good luck on your recovery.

donna_lee

hardo718

Welcome Kris

I had a left partial neph via robotic lap Oct. 5th, 2012.  Woohoo....almost 4 years for me and I was 59 at the time.  I too have a high pain tolerance and truly didn't have pain to speak of, but felt extremely weak and could hardly eat. That bothered me more than anything, because I tend to be pretty active.  You're only 10 days out and it is major surgery even if you don't have a huge scar to show for it.  Be kind to yourself, it takes time for your innards to remodel themselves even though the exterior may be well on it's way to healed.  As Jan stated, I also used a lumbar support wrap and that helped immensely with the discomfort.  (I didn't know about the dry ice thing she mentions or I would have done that too)  I'd venture to say in another week or so you'll notice a difference in your energy level and appetite.  Thank God you had that darned scan done.....holy cow, you're one lucky lady.

God Bless,

Donna~

stub1969

Not too long ago

Hi, Kris.  I sure would have rather "met" you under different circumstances than entrance into our club.  I sure hope you are in a better place recover-wise than you were yesterday or the day before.  I believe you'll notice this as the pattern.  Each day you will get a little stronger and physically start to feel better.  I had a partial on my right kidney on August 26.  I was headed home on August 27th!!.  Mine was laproscopic robitic, so it wasn't as invasive.  One of the worst parts of the recovery was how the gas they filled me up with tried to exit my body.  My right shoulder was really sore for a few days.  As people have already said, try to walk on a regular basis and stretch those walks out a little further each day.  Don't overdo it, but push yourself a little.  It's kind of a balancing act--I'm sure you've figured that out.  It won't be long and you'll find yourself with more energy, a better appetite, and overall feeling of being well.

You take care and focus on healing.  I'll include you in my prayers.

Stub