4 weeks after radical nephrectomy . . .

metal_rabbit
metal_rabbit Member Posts: 13
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hi

First time I've posted on a forum like this, so be patient, please.

I was diagnosed with a tumour on my left kidney in January. This was totally by accident (which seems to be the way with most of the renal cancers) when it came up in an ultrasound. After a CT scan, I was operated on exactly 4 weeks ago (18th March). Was intended to be keyhole, but turned out to be more difficult, so a 4.5 hour open surgery. Removed left kidney, a cancerous mass (9cm x 8cm x 6cm) entirely enclosed in the kidney and 'excised the cartilage of my 11th rib' - anyone know what that actually means?

I was in hospital for just under 72 hours, been recuperating at home ever since.

Still aches a bit, but I am off the painkillers (codeine and paracetamol) for the last 4 days - hate being on tablets (especially morphine!)

Biggest problem was getting bowels restarted after a 'dry' week - and that really did hurt!

Opinion: when should I be driving again? I feel useless stuck at home.

'nuff rambling

Peter

 

Comments

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    #2
    4 weeks radical nephrectomy

    Hi Peter,

    I am pleased to hear that your operation was a success, even if it was not the op you were expecting. It is a good feeling to know the tumour has gone isn't it? I would assume that you are in the UK, going by your spelling of the word tumour. If that is the case it does not surprise me that you received no advice about driving when you left the hospital. I am from the UK but live in France, in my discharge pack it states not to travel in a car for 2 weeks and not to drive for 4 weeks. The first part was a little difficult because I had to get home of course. You may find opinions differ from other members because advice does seem to vary a lot.

    It is a good sign that you want to get back into the drivers seat, it shows you are healing well. Just don't be too impatient and cause yourself a set back.

    When they excised the cartilage it means they cut it out. 

    All the best.

     

    Djinnie

     

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #3
    Excised

    Peter that only means they had to remove the rib cartilage also. Probably the articular cartilage attaching the rib to the spine. No biggy. Your tumor was of good size so they wanted to make sure the borders were clear. Driving isn't the hard part. It would be the problem of an accident or panic stop. For the record, I was probably driving within a week. Doesn't mean everyone should. Keep the faith brother!

  • metal_rabbit
    metal_rabbit Member Posts: 13
    #4
    Djinnie said:

    4 weeks radical nephrectomy

    Hi Peter,

    I am pleased to hear that your operation was a success, even if it was not the op you were expecting. It is a good feeling to know the tumour has gone isn't it? I would assume that you are in the UK, going by your spelling of the word tumour. If that is the case it does not surprise me that you received no advice about driving when you left the hospital. I am from the UK but live in France, in my discharge pack it states not to travel in a car for 2 weeks and not to drive for 4 weeks. The first part was a little difficult because I had to get home of course. You may find opinions differ from other members because advice does seem to vary a lot.

    It is a good sign that you want to get back into the drivers seat, it shows you are healing well. Just don't be too impatient and cause yourself a set back.

    When they excised the cartilage it means they cut it out. 

    All the best.

     

    Djinnie

     

    Thanks

    Thanks, Djinnie. Really helpful advice, especially about the driving and the rib. And yes, in the UK.

    Best wishes, Peter

  • metal_rabbit
    metal_rabbit Member Posts: 13
    #5
    foxhd said:

    Excised

    Peter that only means they had to remove the rib cartilage also. Probably the articular cartilage attaching the rib to the spine. No biggy. Your tumor was of good size so they wanted to make sure the borders were clear. Driving isn't the hard part. It would be the problem of an accident or panic stop. For the record, I was probably driving within a week. Doesn't mean everyone should. Keep the faith brother!

    Excised . . .

    Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The pain seems to be from that aspect rather than the extractions themselves, but it is certainly starting to ease.

    As you say, it's the problem of (1) whether I can do an emergency stop and (2) how much internal damage I could suffer if I do. Will try very gingerly (and with my wife in the car) later this week.

    All the best, Peter

  • Eliezer2
    Eliezer2 Member Posts: 85
    #6
    After surgery

    Don't drive with codeine. 

    Wear a Japanese "sugery belt" to prevent herniation of abdomen muscles for at least a year.

    I find listening to "heavy metal" "music" makes my bowels empty out.

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    #7
    Eliezer2 said:

    After surgery

    Don't drive with codeine. 

    Wear a Japanese "sugery belt" to prevent herniation of abdomen muscles for at least a year.

    I find listening to "heavy metal" "music" makes my bowels empty out.

    After surgery

    Hi Eliezer,

    I am just interested in your advice about wearing a 'surgery belt' when driving. Any emergency stops would also effect passengers. My husband tends to do the driving, but I have found as a passenge the car vibration painful enough. Maybe this would be something that should be worn if travelling in a car, as a precaution?

    I have not heard of these belts, but will look them up. Thanks for posting it.

     

    All the best

    Djinnie

     

     

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member
    #8
    Djinnie said:

    After surgery

    Hi Eliezer,

    I am just interested in your advice about wearing a 'surgery belt' when driving. Any emergency stops would also effect passengers. My husband tends to do the driving, but I have found as a passenge the car vibration painful enough. Maybe this would be something that should be worn if travelling in a car, as a precaution?

    I have not heard of these belts, but will look them up. Thanks for posting it.

     

    All the best

    Djinnie

     

     

    Getting Belted

    You can find a support belt at most Hardware, Lumber, or Electrical supply store...  Mine has elastic panels that can be easily adjusted and also has straps to hold every thing up and in place...  Kind of like a Bra for your mid section..  :)

    Ron

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #9
    GSRon said:

    Getting Belted

    You can find a support belt at most Hardware, Lumber, or Electrical supply store...  Mine has elastic panels that can be easily adjusted and also has straps to hold every thing up and in place...  Kind of like a Bra for your mid section..  :)

    Ron

    Driving

    Peter,

     

    Who would want to drive in the UK anyway where most of the drivers drive on the wrong side of the road. Try Italy. When I was their the drivers play chicken.

     

    Icemantoo

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #10
    GSRon said:

    Getting Belted

    You can find a support belt at most Hardware, Lumber, or Electrical supply store...  Mine has elastic panels that can be easily adjusted and also has straps to hold every thing up and in place...  Kind of like a Bra for your mid section..  :)

    Ron

       
     

       

     

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    #11
    GSRon said:

    Getting Belted

    You can find a support belt at most Hardware, Lumber, or Electrical supply store...  Mine has elastic panels that can be easily adjusted and also has straps to hold every thing up and in place...  Kind of like a Bra for your mid section..  :)

    Ron

    Belted

    Hi Ron,

    Thanks for posting, that explains why I can't find one. Unfortunately for me we do not have access to those sort of stores here, they are for ' Artisans ' ie. Professionals only. We do have a Brico, very very small scale Home Depot, but they don't sell them. I will try on line, may have more luck there.

    Djinnie

     

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