Apr 17 open partial nephrectomy

Kate,

Ready or not your initiation to our club is on the horizon. Consider yourself lucky to have a tumor small enough that they are considering a partial The alternative to not joining our club is much less fun.

The first few days after surgery are not fun at all. A few weeks on the couch (you do not need a new recliner) and you will be walking around before you know it. The hard part is getting up to go for necessities those first few days.

The pain medication makes you constipated. Take a laxative. No person in their right mind wants to be constipated a week after Kidney Cancer surgery.

Do not worry about the big C word on the pathology report. It is the exception rather than the rule that it is not Cancer. Hopefully the surgery will be the total and final cure.

For a few months you can show off that pretty buldge on your tummy.

Mine was over 10  years ago and I am doing fine.

Icemantoo

adman said:

Hang in there....
...you've found an informative & safe place to vent, learn, and cry. I'm very sorry you have to face this. I felt the same way you do, but at 49.
I had a full Neph - 5.0 cm tumor grade 1, stage 1 & was out of the hospital in 48 hours. Life does go on.

I'll let the 'experts' weigh in on your case. I'm sure they'll ask you for some specifics on your tumor size, etc if you have more info.

On the things I can add value to....
- I found a recliner to be perfect. For several weeks laying down just didn't work for me.
- toilet seat extension that goes on top so you don't have to go so low
- move every day as much as you can. You will get tired, but push yourself as much as you can.
- eat as light as possible - you will be bloated & swollen for a few weeks
- get a 2nd & 3rd opinion if possible
- educate yourself & ask questions
- if your DR doesn't have a great 'bedside manner' & answer your questions without rushing you, find another one
- pray & make peace with this

-M

Kate you are not saying that someone else should get the diagnosis and it shouldn't be you are you?  We don't work that way. It stinks for anyone to be here. We don't wish it on anyone. Not even our enemies. Take your momentary self pity and turn that energy into proactive living. Attack this disease. Negative energy is forever lost. This is the survivors network. We try to emphasize surviving. You can redirect youself. There is plenty of encouragement here. Get on our train. We help carry quite a load. We do this together. Sorry you are here. You need to play the cards you've been dealt. Good luck to you.

Djinnie said:

Hi Kate

Hi Kate,

I know how hard it is facing this surgery, and I am sad to hear you have no family around you. However, you obviously have some wonderful friends and co workers who are going to care for you. It is difficult the first few weeks because you really can't risk doing much of anything. It is frustrating having to ask for someone's help all the time, but you can't take the risk of causing injury to yourself.

It is not too long until your surgery, and how fortunate that they can save your kidney. I wish you all the best, keep in touch.

 

Djinnie x

Kate, I guess you will find out who your friends really are. It's tough. You'll be OK.

Kate.  I am very sure you will have a safe operation and will recover well. "Why me?", I know how you feel. I felt in that way before; esp no symptoms, signs nor any of the likely attributes for such growth matches with my condition. It took me a long while to accept it.  It was just bad luck. Much like you, I asked a lot of questions to satisfy ourselves and to prepare for the surgery. I bet thousands of questions swirling in your mind now and you wish they are all answered or explained. The following points did well for my operation and recovery

•   Recliner bed,  as you mentioned, I did consider it. But not necessary. You should practice yourself (now) using your limbs how to get in and out of your bed easily.  Normal lounge seats ok.
• On returning home, I walked around freely albeit slow.  I attribute this to my speedy recovery whilst in hospital. Key to it is whilst in hospital have some deep good sleep. (Ensure bed there is comfortable or at least a good pillow will help greatly.)
• Always great to have someone you know visit you whilst in hospital.
• Must try to get out of your bed soonest possible and do some walking. If you are not, you must try exercising your limbs to keep the blood flow moving.
• Have faith in your surgeon. That is important. Any concerns pass them over to the one above and He will look after you. In all operations, we hope avoiding complications.
• Follow your surgeon's instruction e.g. no garlic days before surgery, etc.

Good luck, Kate. Have faith in yourself.  You will be perfectly ok.