What questions should I ask / what do I need to know?

Sorry to hear this. I asked what size it was and if taking out part of the kidney was good enough. Length of hospital stay. Does the tumor look contained within the kidney. I would also ask what happens next. How long before you know exactly what it is and any/all follow-ups needed. Glad they are taking care of you quickly!!! I wish you all the best. People on this forum will help you out!

Dsmith23 said:

Thank you

Thabk you for responding. He said that it was 2.5 cm and that it was located on the lower pole of my right kidney. i have not seen the scans myself. Yes, they are doing the gallbladder the same day. They were going to do the surgery this Thursday but another surgeon is having to remove my gallbladder and they couldnt line up both of their schedules for that day. I’m beyond ready for it to be over. 

wow you were on the fast track.  the blooming gallbladder wrecking your plans

Now you have a slight wait

2.5 cm is easily removed  and will have unlikely have caused any damage or spread to the rest of the kidney or anywhere else

slighly rough surgery but manegable.

so  you can find out

Are they doing laproscopy

With or without Da vinci

Have you had. Chest Ct to check you are clear If not ask

Due to your age other wise folk on here will urge you to find out about genetic testing   

I am sending you prayers and strength but it sounds like you will have little problem  and you will be back and fixed in a few weeks

Afterwards we can talk about your pathology and your folow ups but for now try to stay calm and it will be over before you know it

easier said than done but honestly you have a very high chance of success

Annie

Some questions you might be able to answer with the receptionist or your normal doctor.   Others might be good to get his take on it

What complications does he envisage there might be.  Do you have any choices, laproscopic, open, robotic, hand assisted surgery, what is he expert at.  

How long will you be in hospital. What support will you need at home. 

What post operative instructions and who should you see for medical support during your recovery, stiches, unmanageable pain, when to call him or the other surgeon. When to go to the emergency department.   You might want to make appointments for your general practicioner or nurse practicioner for stitch removal and organise how you will be getting there and back etc. 

What prepareations will you need to do pre admission - blood tests/urine tests (where, how many days before, any fasting). 

How will the wounds be closed.  Staples, stiches, glues, types of dressings, drains, and what kind of choice do you have.  Pro's and cons.   Does he use or prescibe silicon patches for scarring or silicon gel. (Lots of surgeons are not too worried about scarring, but if you are discuss it with them, you look relatively young and having painful scars which need revision or hamper an active lifestyle could be a problem). 

What medicines should you discontinue/start before the operation. 

Will you need exercises afterwards, a spirometer or other breathing exercises. 

How and who will manage your pain meds.   (Sometmes they hand you a script as you are leaving hospital sometimes before hand and someone else can get it filled for you). You might like to find out if you need to take a stool softener before the general anesthetic and opiates or what your options are if you do get constipated.  Not a good thing when you have just had surgery.  All too commonly people get woeful advice and suffer complicaitons  that are not necessasry. 

When will he call you with the pathology reports for the operation or meet with you to discuss. 

When will he be visiting you in the hospital?  When will the other surgeon do rounds or see you.  You might want to make sure a significant other is there for those discussions/rounds. 

Does he have any leave plans, if so who will be his locum? 

Glad you are so proactive and gaining information and support here. We'll be here for you, hon, all the way!

Robatic (DiVinci) laparascopic is easier recovery as you get these tiny incisions for the instruments/camera to fit, rather than an "open" incision which is larger. Either way you'll recover and this will be past you. 

Have you ever had an abdominal surgery? They use this gas to pump the abdomen up high so the surgeon can see around all the organs. You are having a partial sounds like vs a radical which is total removal of kidney. This GAS gets trapped in weird places, like your shoulder. THAT can hurt. I just moved my arm in circles to move it along. Most get scared by this and take pain pills which often cannot reach this gas. This gas can take several days to move out, so be prepared, but not scared. It doens't mean anything is wrong; its simply trapped.

Plan to have meals prepared or offers from family/friends for a several days/weeks. Also, laundry, housework too should be done by others. YOUR job is to recover, walk and let your insides heal up. Even if you start to feel much better, you cannot even exericse or lift for 30 days. Do you have a little one to pick up?

Usually you are in and out of hospital in 1-3 days. Many leave in 24 hours. You recover at home. You'll be off work (if you work outside the house) for a few weeks. Your doctor will see you about a week after surgery to check on incisions and your recovery. DO NOT RUSH this recovery even if you start to feel better. Gen Anesthesia, sometimes anemia make you sluggish and you are inside are trying to recover!

General anethesia slows or stops your intestines during surgery, so they will be listening for "bowel sounds" via abdomen to make they kick in so to speak. You may be constipated for awhile between Gen Anes and pain pills. AND you'll be tired!!

While in the hospital, you will have to breath into this plastic tube to make sure your lungs are working fully and to prevent pneumonia. They will have you sit up at side of bed, stand and maybe walk hours after you get back from recovery.Then you will walk and walk to prevent blood clots.

You will also have these inflatable wraps around your calves to prevent clots. It goes off automatically and you'll hear the pump. I liked it, felt good, others are bothered. Your catheter is usually removed in recovery and I doubt you'll have a draining tube so ASK if you will.I never did and I have had 4 abdominal surgeries! They want you UP and moving. 

I started to feel better around 5 days, because I used ICE to reduce the swelling/edema around the incisions. I also used a lumbar WRAP around my abdomen (approved by surgeon) so I could support those healing muscles. It helped me get UP from chair and bed. Some folks like to rest in recliner as its easier for some to get up. 

I realize I told you alot! I am here for you if you have further questions, you can look up at the upper left and see the email section and write to any of us personally/privately. 

Trust me, soon this all will be behind you. You are having 2 surgeries so again ask about the drain (gallbladder). 

So sorry you have to go through this so young.. but accept that you are in good hands and will be well cared for!

Sending you CALM, SERENITY with wishes for the best recovery!

Hugs, Jan