Nephrectomy scheduled- feeling anxious

Pain pills, if you need them, will most likely make you very relaxed and possibly slightly drowsy (no driving). Sometimes if taken in the evening they work as sleeping pills. They don't cause you to act in a strange way so no need to worry about that if you need to use them. You should not need to take many and instead you will probably find over-the-counter medication to be enough after a short while.

CRashster said:

Acceptence.

When I got sick, I had a hard time accepting it. I wanted to put off the surgery, I didn't want to take off work. I didn't want to do the pre-surgery. Then something in my head clicked. I had to just stop and let them fix me, however long it took. After that it was easier. You have to let them fix you.

The wonderful thing is: you can be fixed.

At the very least if can be disappointing and upsetting to need a nephrectomy, especially if we are otherwise very healthy.

However the procedure itself is very much routine now and is not something in itself which should have us overly worried.

People even volunteer to have a kidney removed when they donate a kidney, a recent well-publicised examply being pop star Selina Gomez's BFF donating a kidney to the singer https://www.unilad.co.uk/news/selena-gomezs-best-friend-urgently-donates-kidney-to-save-her-life/

The procedure is much simpler when the kidney is being removed for medical reasons because the focus is on just getting it out rather than preserving it for transplant.

You mentioned somewhere about stitches, you will most likely need a few external stitches to seal up a drainage hole (sometimes they try steristrips but stitches are better). You will need to know how these are going to be tended to when required (local doctor? visiting nurse?).

In fact, you are in a good position that you are in good health and you have plenty of time to plan and organise things to prepre for your procedure and recovery. This includes thinking about your allergies and preparing everything you need for them.

You can get some ideas about what you need to prepare for here (apart from the allergies): https://csn.cancer.org/node/312552

This can help focus your mind on preparing for the best possible outcome.

Hi Glidergal,

I first read your name as Gildergal and was wondering if you are Dutch...

I have a possible recommendation, or at least something to think about. After my nephrectomy just over a year ago I healed very well. I had about 12 inches of incisions altogether and they all healed well without complications and really very little pain. i have had no pain to speak of since leaving hospital.

I was on a low carb diet for 2 years before the surgery and that is an anti inflammatory diet. So I would recommend a diet that lowers inflammation. I would say avoid sugar and flour and especially avoid vegetable oils which are high in omega 6 fat and promote inflammation. Maybe eat high omega 3 foods which are anti inflammatory.

Maybe I was just lucky but I am pretty sure that diet helped a lot. Doctors and nurses told me several times that I was doing very, very well.

I also recommend a light diet for a couple of days prior to surgery. Constipation is a certainty so you might regret large meals the day before.

Steve.

Glidergal365 said:

back to work?

Hmm, I keep seeing a mix of thoughts on peoples time to go back to working. Being a single mom in grad school I'm trying to manage how this surgery is going to be, not just cost wise, but missed work. The second week did you feel like you were able to think a little clearer, but just feel tired? I'm wondering if since I'm home, if I'll be able to function and work on my school work (reading and discussion posts since it's an online program). I know I won't know how I'll feel personally but I like to think I'll be able to function somewhat! The thought of being trapped at home for a while without being able to drive is going to drive me crazy! Any advice on that I usually work 32 hours a week and intern 16 hours a week. I know it will likely be slow going to begin with. I think my biggest anxiety is not being able to get stuff done 

I made an excellent recovery.  Week 1 was a bit of blur but straight forward and a bit better each day. I didn't need super strong pain killers after leaving hospital on day 3.  Moving around for at least one week, particularly transitioning from lying to standing was tough but doable.  I would say that I did need to rest as and when I suddnely felt pooped,  and get off my feet to alleviate the tummy swelling and the u-comfortableness from the  rummaging of the organs, they move an awful lot around.   The pain of the gas goes day by day and as far as I can tell isn't really helped by the pain relief.  Unless you are knocked out.  It just is.  Uncomfortable, helped by movement, heat packs, finding a comfortable resting position. 

 One thing I didn't do, and I love to do it, was pick up a book.   I just didn't have the energy or mental focus for a few weeks.  I was living my normal life, but not up for much mental stimulation. 

 I was slowly sweeping, cooking simple meals, walking (not driving till week 3).  One of the things with a partial neph is that your kidney is still there, but all sewed together.  You need to be careful that you are not going to fall and injure it and cause bleeding. I don't know how you get to work, but at week 2 I wouldn't of been happy on public transport on the street, buses etc.   There is a small risk that there is bleeding anyway from the wound.      My surgeon told me at 1 month follow up I was fine to resume all normal activities.   The stiches for the 5 wounds healed very easily and were not a problem for walking around.   At month 2 I didn't feel that wounds or swelling were on my mind.  At month 3 I had forgotten I had had the operation.   

I would prepare people at work and in the family that this is a big operation - even though the scars might look small.   You may well revover fast and well, but it is a big operation. I had my Mum come and stay (I am 50

, with a husband, 3 teens and a dog) and I was very grateful for the quiet company while I was miserable, someone to answer the door and do the heavy lifting of washing/cleaning and just be with me.  When she went home at week 2 I was very comfortable I could do most everything myself. 

Glidergal365 said:

I own Sugar Gliders

I thought SugarMamma may not be the best tag line for this forum HAH! 

I've been gluten free for about 4 years (mom is celiac), Corn free, almost no dairy except for some half and half in my coffee and sugar free for over a year. I have a lot of food sensitivities so no preservatives either. I only use Olive Oil. I've dropped 65 pounds in the last year just eating as natural as possible, mainly Chicken, lean pork and veggies that I'm tolerating and not reacting to. I'm curious how I will heal because of it too Thanks for your input! I bought some Ducolax anticipating issues. What other things do you wish you had on hand during the time you can't drive? 

 

Thanks! 

Jenn

A box to put your meds in so you can move them aroud to wherever you are camping out.  

A notebook to write down what you took when. 

Comfy, roomy clothes to wear - I chose knit dresses, no waistband. 

Proper comfortable shoes for walking in to avoid trips.  Fluffy slippers are nice but not sensible footwear. 

Clean up at home and makes some meals or orgnaise a grocery delivery etc. 

The medicine I found helped most to avoid constipation was a lactulose based one.  I don't tolerate some of them with sienna.   Important to start before the operation and opiod use.  

Something at home to eat if you are nauseas or unwell and just don't want solid food.  I was eating a lamb roast 1 hour post op, very unusual and needed none of the soft foods I prepared, but lots of others ate very lightly post op and suffered nausea and subsequent dehydration, feeling worse from not eating.  It might be a meal replacemen shake, or boiled eggs, soup, mashed veg.  Just something you know you like to eat/drink when not well. 

Organise the bed so that you can roll out on the side your operation is not on.  Someone here told me that... I would never have thought of it. 

Simple heat pads (small towel in a zip lock bag with some water and microwave works easily and mould to the area,helpful for neck/shoulder pain from gas). 

A small pillow for holding on wound for travelling in car and sometimes getting up and down or when coughing. 

Some people really appreciate a lumbar support.  I didn't need them.  I did appreciate my adjustable bed.  Otherws like the recliner lounge to sleep in for a few days. 

Let people know if you want visitors or not and what they could do to help you out. Maybe it is kid pick up drop off. A meal.  I didn't want any visitors. Too tiring. 

Find out when your preferred doctor (GP) is available for appointments and what to do in an emergency once you are home. How will you get there?  What do you need to take with you etc.  You may not need this informaiton, it will be more comforting to have it organised.  Eg. my GP works only 3 days a week, not something I usually focus on, but if it is her I wanted to see I would know which days she was avaialble and what times.  Also useful to know when to skip the GP, send a message to the surgeon and go to the hospital.   

Your surgeons out of hours contact details if that is something he or she does.  An understanding from them when you should call them, your GP, the hospital. 

Someone to pick you up from hospital.