I'm new and nervous...

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  • neenee3
    neenee3 Member Posts: 28
    #42
    Jamie1.3cm said:

    Go for the big city surgery
    neenee, I vote for the big city surgery. You will want someone who has done a lot of these procedures and knows the quirks.

    What you're able to do afterward and how many days you stay in the hospital depends on the type of surgery you have: open surgery or laproscopic. You'll recover fairly quickly from laproscopic surgery; open surgery will take about 6 weeks. The first few days are the hardest. For laproscopic, you may be in the hospital 2-4 days; for open surgery it's more like 4-7 days, but everyone is different. They'll release you when your pain is controlled and your digestive system has resumed working. Walking will help that happen. Couches and recliners are usually more comfortable than the bed. I generally stayed in one place only for about 2 hours before I had to move.

    When is your surgery date?

    You won the vote :)
    I'll be heading down to UCLA for the surgery. Hoping for a surgery date by the end of the week. The surgeon thought it would be about 3 weeks from now. I'll cancel my surgery here when I get a date there. Thanks so much for all your good advise. I've learned so much here. It helps to talk with people who have been there!
  • neenee3
    neenee3 Member Posts: 28
    #43
    BG said:

    davinci as well
    I also had the davinci robot partial nephrectomy, and was in the hospital for 3 nights, one extra night due to nausea. To add to the lists above,

    1) Make sure they give you anti nausea medicine.
    2) Get a stool softener through your urologist as the pain meds in the hospital and at home can cause constipation.
    3) When I was at the hospital on surgery day, the first nurse that checked me in I said I was sensative and very nervous and needed something for it before any IV's etc.. They gave me 2 valium and a tiny sip of water, and that really helped.
    4) You will need to fast 12 hours I beleive, so try to get an early rather than afternoon surgery like me. I went at 11:30 pm to get a 1500 calories wendy's shake, as my fasting cutoff was midnight. My surgery was not until the afternoon the follwoing day, so I was hungry.
    5) Totally agree with the breath thing, use it, use it, they will want you to walk, so the sooner you can the better. It will be hard to get out of bed, but you will walk a little farther each day.
    6) For me they managed the pain very well in the hospital.
    7) Rest when you need it!

    Please keep us posted, my prayers are with you.

    BG

    Starting a list tomorrow
    I'm going to get my list started tomorrow of all the things I need to have and do before and after surgery. Then I'll go over it with my husband. Boy, I sure hope I don't have nausea after surgery, that must have been terrible on top of everything else. I really appreciate the time you took to respond to my post. Now my post should read, "new and not as nervous" :) Thanks for all the great advise!
  • neenee3
    neenee3 Member Posts: 28
    #44
    carlkcs11 said:

    HOSPITAL MEALS
    I was nauseous the whole first night after surgery. Couldn't even drink water. They gave me medication for this and it worked great. However, the first meal I was brought was some cheesey omlete thing with bacon. No way! I immediately ask for oatmeal and toast and fruit cups. Then all during the day and next evening I had apple sauce. I also drank plenty of water. I did have to frequent the rest room about every 1/2 hour which forced me to get up and move. Also be prepared for the lack of bowel movement for a few days (I ate light,fruit salads and oatmeal and plenty of water) Make sure you have pleanty of water to drink in the house.
    The wait for surgery is hard I know. I also had to wait about 3 weeks for a surgery slot, however I used the time to button things up at work and also to increase my exercise. If you keep yourself occupied then the time will go fast. I still have sad thoughts. I guess I am in mouring for my once "normal life". "Why me" "what now" "what could I have done differently" These questions will always be there but as others on this site have told me, we can't let these thoughts control us. It's a choice as to how much control you want to have over the condition you are in. For me, the more control the better. Good luck CARL

    Meals
    I love oatmeal and applesauce so I'll probably do the same thing. I walk 3 miles or bike 5 miles a day, 5 days a week. Started that back up today. I'm going to keep working on the positive attitude. I can't say it hasn't been quite a roller coaster of emotions but with more ups then downs. I've got so much support here and with family and friends. I feel very blessed for that! Thanks so much for all your great advise!
  • neenee3
    neenee3 Member Posts: 28
    #45
    Here I go ready or not!
    Got a call today that confirms I'll be having my surgery this coming Wednesday! Not really ready but I guess the sooner the better. Didn't get to get all the tests done that they wanted but will have the CT of my chest done on Monday. Made a list from all the info I gathered here. Made reservations for my husband and family that will be there. I guess "here goes nothing" ... sure hope they get it all and don't find any surprises! Thank you all for all the words of wisdom! Will keep you posted on how things are going. Thanks again for all your advise and encouragement!!!

    Love & prayers to all,
    Debbie
  • lbinmsp
    lbinmsp Member Posts: 266
    #46
    neenee3 said:

    Here I go ready or not!
    Got a call today that confirms I'll be having my surgery this coming Wednesday! Not really ready but I guess the sooner the better. Didn't get to get all the tests done that they wanted but will have the CT of my chest done on Monday. Made a list from all the info I gathered here. Made reservations for my husband and family that will be there. I guess "here goes nothing" ... sure hope they get it all and don't find any surprises! Thank you all for all the words of wisdom! Will keep you posted on how things are going. Thanks again for all your advise and encouragement!!!

    Love & prayers to all,
    Debbie

    So glad
    you're scheduled! Now suddenly the time will fly by! Good luck to you - we're all here supporting you behind the scenes! You are a warrior! And you'll do OK! Just remember that your recovery will be tough and will take time! Start walking as soon as you can stay upright for more than 5 minutes - eat numerous small meals throughout the day - and rest! Take care - and when you're up to it, please let us know how you're doing.
  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    #47
    lbinmsp said:

    So glad
    you're scheduled! Now suddenly the time will fly by! Good luck to you - we're all here supporting you behind the scenes! You are a warrior! And you'll do OK! Just remember that your recovery will be tough and will take time! Start walking as soon as you can stay upright for more than 5 minutes - eat numerous small meals throughout the day - and rest! Take care - and when you're up to it, please let us know how you're doing.

    Praying for a speedy, gas
    Praying for a speedy, gas -free recovery! It will be over before you know it. We'll be waiting to hear from you.

    Rae
  • neenee3
    neenee3 Member Posts: 28
    #48
    Not so new but still nervous
    Well... heading down to UCLA tomorrow for surgery on Wednesday. Hoping and praying that this cancer is contained in my kidney when they take it out. I just had to say thank you once more for all the support, advice and prayers! Hope to be posting again soon!
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    #49
    neenee3 said:

    Not so new but still nervous
    Well... heading down to UCLA tomorrow for surgery on Wednesday. Hoping and praying that this cancer is contained in my kidney when they take it out. I just had to say thank you once more for all the support, advice and prayers! Hope to be posting again soon!

    Tomorrow...
    Dear neenee,

    Very soon tomorrow will be yesterday and you can begin to put all of this behind you. The first couple months post-op aren't fun but I am confident that you will be your old self again before you know it. Our brains have a wonderful way of "forgetting" the bad stuff rather quickly once its over, but you will have the battle scars of a warrior as a reminder. It is a small price to pay. Add my thoughts and prayers to all of those that surround and support you. I look forward to hearing from you soon!!

    Your fellow survivor,

    Gary

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