Surgery ==Monday

Hey brother...I was in your shoes two months ago. I was diagnosed with RCC and had surgery just 3 weeks ago. It's not a death sentence and it sounds like your surgery should take care of it. My surgery went well and just to give you some advice... I'm thinking you'll be having lap robotic partial neph...Take you some good pillows and maybe your own blanket for your trip home. You'll need them. Maybe 3 pillows!! You'll probably have some serious shoulder pains after surgery for about 3 days... It's the gas they blow your abdomen up with. It'll pass.. the sooner you can get up and move around after surgery the better. I actually liked being up better than laying around in those short hospital beds!! Chapstick and chewing gum is your friend... My lips were chapped after surgery.. I guess that anesthesia did it. The first 4 days were my worst... After that it has gotten a little better each day. I'm 3 weeks and 4 days post op right now and I've been up and back to a somewhat normal routine minus work for about a week and a half. It's gonna take each of us a little different timeframe but should be close depending on your age and overall health at this time which sounds like you are in great shape. I'm 46 and was in great shape as well. Just keep a positive attitude no matter what the haters say... Pray a lot and God will answer them. He is the king of Kings ! Good luck to you and you can ask me whatever questions you may have. If I don't know the answer I can bet some of these guys will! Great group and glad you found us!!

Carlos, when I received my diagnosis my exact words were... I am not ready to die.

My tumor was 13.3 cm stage 2 grade 3.

I felt scared, lost, anxious, and literally every other emotion you can think of. However let me repeat..you are not alone. We have all been there. 

Joining this forum was the best thing I have done so far in my journey. The others in this group are supportive, honest about their experiences, informative, caring, understanding, and most of all accepting.

Surgery was scary for me but it went well. I had zero complications and went home in 20 hours. The first week after surgery was the toughest. Try to remember to stay hydrated. The pain meds will or can cause constipation. Go slow, allow yourself time to heal and even when you start to feel better remember it can take months for your insides to be healed.

I have found that the mental healing has been far harder than the physical. The anxiety and fear is real.

So when it gets to be too much just know we are here for you.

Prayers for you today and in the days to come.

Cin

 You are where I will be in 2 weeks and the ramping up of anxiety has begun. Feeling so drained by the buildup and the range of reaction to my situation from family and friends. Managing that is a gauntlet in itself. Plus I don’t look sick and have no symptoms. Tiring of being told how lucky I am but knowing it’s true. I have been lurking on this board since my “incidental “ finding and hope that you, as I, have found enormous comfort here. Good luck. 

I can't offer advice since I haven't had the surgery yet - mine is on Monday, 2/19 (two days after my 55th bday).  But I can tell you that you're not alone in your feelings.  I've run the gamut and have had some pretty low lows.  But...it sounds like for both of us there is a lot of positive news - so stay focused on that  Good luck on Monday and when you feel up to it, let us know how it went.  Best wishes!

It is interesting after your told you have cancer. I feel the mind games you make up about the situation is worse than the surgery. I wouldn't  volunteer having it  again but the other choices were worse. There is a wealth of information in recent posts here on the different type of surgeries. If you haven't read any go back and read them...a lot of your fears and questions will be answered. Good luck on your surgeries and positive thoughts to you and your loved ones.

Hi. I wish you nothing short of a successful surgery and smooth recovery. I too had rcc and lost my kidney. I look at is as a gift. It changes your life, but in a good way. You will learn some tough, but great lessons along the way and it makes life better....not worse. Be encouraged my friend and know you are in good hands and not alone. During recovery be gentle and kind with yourself. Accept help and take the necessary time to heal. 

Just remember to be kind to yourself and allow yourself to heal. As others have said, get up moving around/walking as soon as you're able (and permitted). The more you walk, the sooner you'll go home after surgery. For me, I was in recovery for six weeks after my radical nephrectomy (full kidney removal), and I was still worn out by lunchtime my first day back to work. Everyone heals differently, so remember that your mileage may vary compared to others here. But ultimately, you will heal from surgery, and it will be behind you before you know it. 

Sorry you had to join this group, but glad you did find us. There are a lot of good people here with helpful advice and support. You're not alone - we're all behind you!

Gary