RAPN-my experience

moonjell
moonjell Member Posts: 18
in Kidney Cancer #1

Had a robot assisted partial performed on me 3/23/16. This is my experience. Surgery day was pretty scary but once in the hospital the staff really helped ease my mind. My family stayed in the pre-op room with me and met the doctors. I got the magic cocktail and was whisked away. Seemed like no time had passed and they were wheeling me into my room where my family was waiting.it was done. My family was getting updates from the OR the whole time. I had 5 incisions stapled and one more with a tube connected to a bag hanging out catching blood from the kidney. I was given pain meds, anti nausea meds, and antibiotics on a strict regimen. Surgery was late afternoon so the next day was when I was to start standing and walking. It felt like I did hundreds of sit ups the day before and was very sore. I was able to stand with help and walk. I was to do that 4 times per day. It was challenging but I did it. The second day they took me off the IV. Moving was better and I actually wAnted to get up and walk. I did not have any problems eating. First was liquid diet then on to soft foods then no restrictions. It was good to finally be home. I walked around several times a day and slept in the recliner.it really was easier everyday. Pain was not bad. I never took the pain meds...only Tylenol as needed. I did take the stool softeners though...needed those. Second night I was able to sleep in my bed.

Doc says he got it all and I should have the result next week. I was able to keep over 3/4 of the kidney. For those going through this it does suck but it's not too terrible. I've just been tired at various times of the day and would sleep when my body wAnted to.utilize those that offer help. It really makes a difference.

 

 

 

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    Piece of cake

    moonjell,

     

     

    Not that bad but I am sure you would never want to ever go thru that again. A neph is enough.  It does beat the alternative. No water skiing until next summer.

     

    Icemantoo

  • daisybud
    daisybud Member Posts: 541 Member
    #3
    Moongel

    Hi, I had mine on 2/16,  partial too.  The actual surgery wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  I was slow moving and also had very sore stomach muscles. Everyday I felt better.  I still have a few aches and pains but feel really good now.

    I wish you a very fast recovery :)

    Kim

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #4
    daisybud said:

    Moongel

    Hi, I had mine on 2/16,  partial too.  The actual surgery wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  I was slow moving and also had very sore stomach muscles. Everyday I felt better.  I still have a few aches and pains but feel really good now.

    I wish you a very fast recovery :)

    Kim

    Glad it's over and not too

    Glad it's over and not too bad as far as pain is concerned. Mine was an open partial but pretty much like you, I slept in my own bed and the pain was not terrible. My anticipation was much worse than the reality. Wishing you a quick and uneventful recover!

  • moonjell
    moonjell Member Posts: 18
    #5
    icemantoo said:

    Piece of cake

    moonjell,

     

     

    Not that bad but I am sure you would never want to ever go thru that again. A neph is enough.  It does beat the alternative. No water skiing until next summer.

     

    Icemantoo

    Again

    You are correct. Not something I would want to go through again.

     

  • moonjell
    moonjell Member Posts: 18
    #6
    daisybud said:

    Moongel

    Hi, I had mine on 2/16,  partial too.  The actual surgery wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  I was slow moving and also had very sore stomach muscles. Everyday I felt better.  I still have a few aches and pains but feel really good now.

    I wish you a very fast recovery :)

    Kim

    Kim

    Glad to hear you're doing well. Thank you!

  • moonjell
    moonjell Member Posts: 18
    #7
    APny said:

    Glad it's over and not too

    Glad it's over and not too bad as far as pain is concerned. Mine was an open partial but pretty much like you, I slept in my own bed and the pain was not terrible. My anticipation was much worse than the reality. Wishing you a quick and uneventful recover!

    Over

    Thank you. Yes the anticipation was much worse.

  • hardo718
    hardo718 Member Posts: 853 Member
    #8
    moonjell said:

    Kim

    Glad to hear you're doing well. Thank you!

    Great news Moonjell

    Thank God!  Drink plenty of water, plenty of short walks and lots of rest.  Your body is hard at work right now trying to heal. 

    Within a relatively short time you'll be ready to get on with celebrating life!  But for now, let others do the dancing around you.

    Wink Donna~

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    #9
    hardo718 said:

    Great news Moonjell

    Thank God!  Drink plenty of water, plenty of short walks and lots of rest.  Your body is hard at work right now trying to heal. 

    Within a relatively short time you'll be ready to get on with celebrating life!  But for now, let others do the dancing around you.

    Wink Donna~

    Welcome home!! There is no

    Welcome home!! There is no better feeling than being at home! It sounds like you aced this!

    Good luck with your next appointment. Please post and let us know how that goes!

    Hugs

    Jojo

  • jason.2835
    jason.2835 Member Posts: 337 Member
    #10
    Yep!!

    Moonjell,

    Also had an RAPN back in October of 2014 and I can attest to everything you said... especially the 1000 sit-ups feeling!  I likened the pain to doing a really hard ab workout.  The worst part for me, for some reason, was the fatigue.  It took me a good month after the surgery to shake the fatigue completely for some reason.  But pain-wise, I would totally recommend the Terminator robot to anyone who asks.  I also never needed hard stuff.  They gave me Tramadol (which is kind of medium strength) but I was able to survive on a regular routine of Tylenol as well.  

    Unfortunately, they had to take my whole kidney for safety reasons.  Great news that you got to keep most of yours!

    - Jay  

  • moonjell
    moonjell Member Posts: 18
    #11
    Pathology results

    Got my pathology results. It was Clear cell RCC gr 2.

    Margins were clear but there was evidence of lymphovascular intrusion and renal sinus intrusion.

    It was explained to me that it puts me at a higher risk for recurrence.Action items now are active surveillance.

    Currently I am Cancer free so I'll take it!

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #12
    icemantoo said:

    Piece of cake

    moonjell,

     

     

    Not that bad but I am sure you would never want to ever go thru that again. A neph is enough.  It does beat the alternative. No water skiing until next summer.

     

    Icemantoo

    As people say

    Once is aneph!

     

     

     

     

     

    I'LL get my coat

  • hardo718
    hardo718 Member Posts: 853 Member
    #13
    moonjell said:

    Pathology results

    Got my pathology results. It was Clear cell RCC gr 2.

    Margins were clear but there was evidence of lymphovascular intrusion and renal sinus intrusion.

    It was explained to me that it puts me at a higher risk for recurrence.Action items now are active surveillance.

    Currently I am Cancer free so I'll take it!

    I'll be praying for you

    NO reoccurences please!

    Donna~

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