It is official...

icemantoo said:

Initiation

Tom,

 

 

Sorry about that little initiation called a neph. Been there, done that. Things will get a little better each dat with maybe a bad day in between. Treat yourself to a steak dinner in about a week.

 

 

Icemantoo

Tom, its in your past now!! ON to RECOVERY!!

BTW: I used a lumbar velcro wrap over my abdomen which helped support those healing muscles. I had two laproscopic/robatic surgeries and it really helped. AND I put a block of dry ice underneath the wrap, but not on direct skin and it helped the swelling over the incisions. Therefore, I needed less to no pain meds after about 5 days.

EACH day, week will start to get much better and you'll be feeling better too.

Follow the guidelines your doctor adheres to and you'll be okay. I am now 2 years post radical nephrectomy and doing great!

But I have this feeling you are usually anxious about stressors in life, are you? (you do not have to answer)

If you are more anxious, you may want to consider getting that evaluated as there is help for anxiety and therefore you do not have to suffer. Anxiety makes ALL body aches seem worse or creates physical problems. YOU can prevent that, Tom.

Now you need to adjust to recovery and HEALING, mind, body, soul in my opinion so you have this cancer out of your body and now onto a much better life!!!!

Gentle hugs, Jan

aamdsi said:

glad okay

Everyday will get a little easier.  You will feel a little more normal with each passing day/week/month. 

I am also nearly 2 years post open neph., and although still worry about it coming back - I find myself going longer and longer between bouts of it.  Not sure you ever stop wondering if every little cough and such could be it coming back - but you do learn not to live your life around it.

Do as the Dr. says.  Drink lots of water, walk lots and lots, and rest often.  It does get better 8-)

Hugs

Congrats that it is over!

Jan is absolutely right - anxiety is aterrible thing. Your cancer almost definitely won't return, but anxiety wil ruin your life for sure. So you'll end up physically healthy, but morally a wreck, if you let it have its way. Please take measures to cope with severe anxiety if you feel it is taking over - even seek professional help, if needed. 

Stage 1 kidney cancer is not the worst enemy of your happy future - but severe anxiety is. 

But time will help! Good luck with recovery, and believe the docs when they say your prognosis is excellent (but don't skip follow ups anyway).

Try to rest.  A few things after surgery that I remember:

1. Sneezing and coughing hurt.  My hospital gave me a pillow to clutch tightly when I coughed.

2. I sleep on my stomach.  For 2 weeks or so after surgery, I slept in a recliner to stay off my incision, which was tender.

3. Drink lots of water.  It helps, and you need to.  Even 1. 5 years later, I make sure I drink at least 12 8 oz glasses of water, plus another 4 glasses of fresh brewed green tea.

4. Walk as much as possible.  3 days after surgery, I could barely do 1 mile.  On the 5th day, I did 3 miles in the morning, and 3 in the evening.  I was bored, and it is exactly 1.5 miles to the beach from my house, so I had a nice goal.

5. It took a while to have a normal bowel movement.  I was a bit anxious after 2-3 days, but everything worked out.

Hope your recovery is smooth.

APny said:

Good advice from everyone.

Good advice from everyone. Glad it's behind you and with time the anxiety will lessen as well. If it doesn't, see someone. No need to suffer when there are meds you could take to help you through the worst times. I find that .25 mg of Xanax can do wonders to take the edge off. And yes, walk walk and walk some more. I used a body pillow to cushion me so I didn't roll over on my incision (plus I had a drain for a week) and I was able to sleep in my bed. You may give that a try as well. If they gave you a breathing apparatus, use it. It helps to keep your lungs clear.

your membership beenie is in the mail.

It may not feel like it , but it sounds like you're doing well.  Your prognosis is similar to mine.  I am 27 months post surgery.  All scans have beeen NED.

The members that are telling you it will get better and that the worst is behind you, are right.  You will find yourself feeling better every day.  Just don't try to do too much. rest is important.

Be well,

Izzy

Hi Tom,

I have a very similar diagnosis to you (5.2 cm tb1. grade 2/3 only because there were a couple grade 3 cells)

It only gets better from here. My anxiety has calmed way down after my first scan which was at 3mo post op, next is a CT scan at 6mo. I hardly think about it now because I've decided not to let this rule my life and sanity. I am choosing to believe that surgery was the cure and get on with my plans.

you are over the hardest part and once you're anxiety calms and your body heals you can move on and live!

best wishes and peace to you.

Melanie

Freenc said:

Thanks

I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and support over the last month. You all have been so great to me.

Physically I am getting better day by day. The tough part for me is still the mental side of things. I agree that I am ultimately not in control of much of anything so I am trying to not think too much or worry but I still struggle. 

I am taking xanax to sleep but I really want to stop that. So I am tapering the dosage down. 

I guess it will just take the time that you all say that it will. I am ready to put this behind me so I can move on and begin ENJOYING life again.

Tom

It is great to hear you speaking so positive about your recent diagnosis and surgery. I would venture to say that each and every one of us on this forum have felt like you have at one time or another.  We all handle life's stress differently, but so many here wanted you to know that you would, indeed, get to a better place physically and emotionally. It just takes time. Your last sentence about "putting this all behind you and start enjoying life" is music to our ears. Perhaps one day you will be on the giving end of counseling a new member.

Happy Weekend Wishes!

Nancy