Help, going to surgery!

ambersorganics
ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hello everyone, very glad to have found this website.  Well done to you all!   I wish to just brief my situation with hopes to get a few replies.

 

I am due for surgery next week, full nephrectomy and now possible lymph node removal.   I was diagnosed over a year ago, but due to the complexities of other extremely serious conditions the surgery was cancelled 3 times. This is the fourth attempt, and being as the mass has grown, has been diagnosed as a possible cystic renal cell carcinoma  (and has now invaded the par-aortic lymph node)  time is of the essence.  I cannot say I am not in a state of sheer panic, surgery has great complications for me more than most and the fragility of my body, presently, concerns even the surgeon and my specialists.  There is little choice, either way.  I have not felt so lost and utterly alone as I do in this, and yet I have been through major health challenges for many years but this really does create a new sense of unease and uncertainty.  Does anyone have any practical advice, comfort or reassurance to offer.  I have been wanting to write but what on earth do I say, I fear my inner turmoil has distinguished my normally warm continence.  I also run my own business, it is my sole income, I do worry that after surgery I might be slower than I need in recovery. 

 

I do thank you for any support here.  Only a few days to go!

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Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    May you have a boring and uneventful surgery.

    amber,

     

    We all felt apprehensive when we went into surery. Youare at least 10 years younger than I was at the time. Sending good karma your way.

     

     

    Icemantoo

  • Ceppo49
    Ceppo49 Member Posts: 2
    #3
    Nephrectomy

    wish you the best, had nephrectomy may 19, cannot give you any advice except stay the course with your surgeon and specialists!

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #4
    icemantoo said:

    May you have a boring and uneventful surgery.

    amber,

     

    We all felt apprehensive when we went into surery. Youare at least 10 years younger than I was at the time. Sending good karma your way.

     

     

    Icemantoo

    Thank you!

    Icemantoo - I realy do value your comment, it seems you have recovered and survived very well. A good thing indeed. 

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2017 #5
    Ceppo49 said:

    Nephrectomy

    wish you the best, had nephrectomy may 19, cannot give you any advice except stay the course with your surgeon and specialists!

    Thank you!

    I hope you are recovering well?  I am so grateful for your words.  Was it that terrible?   Healing to you!

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #6
    So sorry you have to be here.

    So sorry you have to be here. I totally understand the panic but I can honestly say my anticipation, fear, and imagination were a lot worse than the actual surgery. Mine was a partial but open neph and my recovery was much better and easier than I had feared. I'm hoping that yours will be too. I realize your business is your sole income but try not to rush things. It does take a while to feel back to "normal" whatever that is. Your energy levels will be lower than previously and you'll tire more easily. At least I did. My advice is to walk as quickly as possible after the surgery and to use the breathing apparatus they give you to keep your lungs clear. Walking really does help in not only your recovery but also your state of mind. Wishing you the very best and try not to let your imagination get the best of you. It won't be nearly as bad as you fear.

  • Retcenturion
    Retcenturion Member Posts: 240 Member
    #7
    The wait is awful

    My Surgery was in April. The wait was awful for all the fears and what ifs. The post op recovery wasn't as bad as I had imagined but was not easy either. I would recommend to have as much support lined up before the procedure. Family,friends, co-workers..the first week your the weakest. You can't have enough help. There are many Posts here that address the surgery and there is a wealth of information try and read past posts. If you need further info just ask we were all in your position your not alone. 

  • JerzyGrrl
    JerzyGrrl Member Posts: 760 Member
    edited July 2017 #8
    Best advice...?

    Amber,

    The best advice post-surgery is to walk and chill, then walk some more. You got this.

    We're here, too. Keep us posted as you're able. 

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #9
    You'll be taken good care of,

    so lie back and let the professionals do their job. Do as you are told. Your job is to be a good patient. Pay attention and learn what you need to know to have a great future.

  • Ceppo49
    Ceppo49 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2017 #10
    ambersorganics said:

    Thank you!

    I hope you are recovering well?  I am so grateful for your words.  Was it that terrible?   Healing to you!

    Healing

    Recovery went well. Had great Doctors!

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #11
    APny said:

    So sorry you have to be here.

    So sorry you have to be here. I totally understand the panic but I can honestly say my anticipation, fear, and imagination were a lot worse than the actual surgery. Mine was a partial but open neph and my recovery was much better and easier than I had feared. I'm hoping that yours will be too. I realize your business is your sole income but try not to rush things. It does take a while to feel back to "normal" whatever that is. Your energy levels will be lower than previously and you'll tire more easily. At least I did. My advice is to walk as quickly as possible after the surgery and to use the breathing apparatus they give you to keep your lungs clear. Walking really does help in not only your recovery but also your state of mind. Wishing you the very best and try not to let your imagination get the best of you. It won't be nearly as bad as you fear.

    Thank you!

    Treasured words, I am so grateful to read them.  The fear can take over, I have to breath and visualise a positive outcome, not as easy in the dark of night.   Yes, I will walk, I am a walker and shall do all in my own power to regain strength.   I will be glad when it is all in the past.  May I ask what the " breathing apparatus" consisted of please? Why was it needed?

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #12
    JerzyGrrl said:

    Best advice...?

    Amber,

    The best advice post-surgery is to walk and chill, then walk some more. You got this.

    We're here, too. Keep us posted as you're able. 

    Thank you!

    I really do appreciate your words. Laughing

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #13
    foxhd said:

    You'll be taken good care of,

    so lie back and let the professionals do their job. Do as you are told. Your job is to be a good patient. Pay attention and learn what you need to know to have a great future.

    Thank you!

    I shall. Encouraging words, thank you.  I shall be the best "English" patient (I'm British!) and allow God to work through them. 

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #14
    Retcenturion said:

    The wait is awful

    My Surgery was in April. The wait was awful for all the fears and what ifs. The post op recovery wasn't as bad as I had imagined but was not easy either. I would recommend to have as much support lined up before the procedure. Family,friends, co-workers..the first week your the weakest. You can't have enough help. There are many Posts here that address the surgery and there is a wealth of information try and read past posts. If you need further info just ask we were all in your position your not alone. 

    Thank you!

    That was very real advice.  I do take note of your words. May I ask what the worst part was for your post op experience?   I do hope you are doing well. 

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    edited July 2017 #15
    ambersorganics said:

    Thank you!

    Treasured words, I am so grateful to read them.  The fear can take over, I have to breath and visualise a positive outcome, not as easy in the dark of night.   Yes, I will walk, I am a walker and shall do all in my own power to regain strength.   I will be glad when it is all in the past.  May I ask what the " breathing apparatus" consisted of please? Why was it needed?

    The breathing apparatus

    The breathing apparatus really helps to a) increase your lung capacity and b) keep your lungs and bronchial passages clear, especially after being under anesthesia. They gave me mine prior to the surgery and I used it religiously. And of course afterwards. If they haven't given you one ask for it. I think it's called a spirometer.

    Yes, the dark of the night is the worst time for our imagination to run away with us. Perhaps you could talk to your physician about taking a low dose Xanax or other anti-anxiety meds to get you through. They really helped me. Or if you prefer natural, camomille tea before bed.

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,045 Member
    #16
    Wasn't afraid of the surgery...

    but was afraid of the death sentence they had offered at diagnosis, as in 5-7 months if the kidney and all the other mets could not be removed.  It was already taking over half my liver and affecting it.  You can read the rest by clicking on my user name.

    The surgeons and nurses will do their jobs to take care of you in hospital. The inspirometer is a piece of cake.  There could not be a better phrase than to say, "suck air."  Imagine the carnival strong man contest who hits a button with a sledge hammer and makes the gong ring at the top.  Your goal is to put a mouth piece in your mouth and inhale to make a little disk rise in a plastic tube.  You'll wake up sore, hungry, and tired.  And you'll get better.  This is when your body will talk to you; 3-4 days forward, and maybe a day backward; rest; and do it again.  And guess what, the turtle wins the race with steady but sure steps. 

    You will Too! Put a sachet of lavendar in your pillowcase when you get home; it'll help you rest.

    All best wishes and Hugs across the Pond.

    donna_lee

  • Mighty Frog
    Mighty Frog Member Posts: 152 Member
    edited July 2017 #17
    Going in Today

    Hi! Well is good to get a second opinion. But so far I see... still the best option is surgically remove it. And change your lifestyle to a healthy diet one

    I will be having my LPN today noon. 

     

  • Positive_Mental_Attitude
    Positive_Mental_Attitude Member Posts: 454
    #18
    What everyone else said.  I

    What everyone else said.  I was a blubbering mess 3 days before the surgery.  That was 3 years ago.  I laugh at myself today for being that way.  But for the first time in my adult life, I was really scared.  It's natural.  Scared turns to calm on surgery day, turns to recovery, turns to relief. 

     

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #19
    Mighty Frog said:

    Going in Today

    Hi! Well is good to get a second opinion. But so far I see... still the best option is surgically remove it. And change your lifestyle to a healthy diet one

    I will be having my LPN today noon. 

     

    Thank you!

    I do pray that you are doing better than well. Let us kow how you got on.  I really do appreciate your words.

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #20
    Positive_Mental_Attitude said:

    What everyone else said.  I

    What everyone else said.  I was a blubbering mess 3 days before the surgery.  That was 3 years ago.  I laugh at myself today for being that way.  But for the first time in my adult life, I was really scared.  It's natural.  Scared turns to calm on surgery day, turns to recovery, turns to relief. 

     

    Thank you!

    Excellent words, very encouraged. I too cannot wait to be looking back on this time and feeling as you do now.   Relief!

  • ambersorganics
    ambersorganics Member Posts: 11
    #21
    donna_lee said:

    Wasn't afraid of the surgery...

    but was afraid of the death sentence they had offered at diagnosis, as in 5-7 months if the kidney and all the other mets could not be removed.  It was already taking over half my liver and affecting it.  You can read the rest by clicking on my user name.

    The surgeons and nurses will do their jobs to take care of you in hospital. The inspirometer is a piece of cake.  There could not be a better phrase than to say, "suck air."  Imagine the carnival strong man contest who hits a button with a sledge hammer and makes the gong ring at the top.  Your goal is to put a mouth piece in your mouth and inhale to make a little disk rise in a plastic tube.  You'll wake up sore, hungry, and tired.  And you'll get better.  This is when your body will talk to you; 3-4 days forward, and maybe a day backward; rest; and do it again.  And guess what, the turtle wins the race with steady but sure steps. 

    You will Too! Put a sachet of lavendar in your pillowcase when you get home; it'll help you rest.

    All best wishes and Hugs across the Pond.

    donna_lee

    Thank you!

    You really are the best Dona_Lee. I really value your words. I too am a strong force at my core, but we all are merely human. I have faced many enourmous physical challenges,  but.....this too shall pass! Thank you very much. I relate to your story too, adversity does change us.  I shall be writing once I get this done. I saw my surgeoun yesterday, he is a good Man, all set for the task in hand. I just want it over. This is my count down period, balancing my work, slowing it down and getting things prepared for wednesday. 

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