Robotic Partial surgery update

I reported for surgery at 6:00 am on Friday morning.  They took me to a waiting area where my wife and I talked with a nurse and reviewed my information.  By 7:00 a doctor came to get me and walked me to the pre-surgery area filled with other patients getting ready for surgery.  While there I visited with several nurses, one of the members of the surgical team and the anesthesiologist

All of the folks were incredibly professional with a strong mix of compassion and empathy.  After marking my kidney side I was wheeled off to the surgery room—I was scheduled for 8:00 surgery.    As I entered the room all the people introduced themselves and chatted a little with me.  All the while it was very business-like.  Soon I was getting an IVs and the anesthesiologist put the mask over my nose and asked me to breath in deeply.  The next thing I remember I was in the post-op waiting area and it was a little after 2:00.  The nurse in charge of me asked several time about my pain level and was right there with answers to any questions I had and to comfort me.  I wasn’t experiencing a lot of pain but did take a couple Tylenol extra strength rather than Oxycodone, so I’d be awake when I met with my family.  At 4:00 I was wheeled to my room where my family was waiting.

During surgery my family was updated frequetly by a communication nurse and after Dr. Chow met with my wife.  He said he was able to save much of the kidney and take out the mass without complication.  (Remember mine was coming out the bottom part of the kidney, which worked great for the robotic partial) 

While in my room I was well taken care of by wonderful nurses.  A doctor on the surgical team checked on me around 7:00 pm.  I was able to ask him questions and he provided answers.   My pain was well managed and I was up and walking by 10:00 pm the day of surgery.  The doctor checked on me right away the next morning and said I may be able to go home (one day after surgery).  I walked and slept throughout the morning and was released about 2:00 pm. 

I can’t say enough good things about the staff at Mayo in Rochester.  They did such a good job throughout this ordeal.  I’ll get the pathology report in a couple days.  Until then I’m resting and walking.  Right now I’m just taking Tylenol extra strength for pain.  I’ll return to Mayo in 3 months for scans and follow-up.

On a side note—the nodule they found on my thyroid during the chest scan does appear to be another primary cancer.  I’ll travel to Rochester tomorrow (Monday) for blood work and a meeting with another doctor.  This was a big blow to take the day before surgery.  They strongly believe it is pappilary thyroid cancer.  I'll keep you updated around this issue and share my pathology report.  

Take care and God's blessings to all.

Stub