Nephrectomy scheduled- feeling anxious

kiwi68 said:

Things to organise.

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. 

Interesting... I got out on my neph side.

I had a right nephrectomy.  Starting from the first time that nurses told me how to get out of bed I used the right side. I am right handed.

The technique was to roll to the right and get my knees and lower legs more or less ready to sit up. Then I pushed up into a sitting position. I maintained a slight lean to the right the whole time so my wound was not stretched. The first time was a kind of act of faith because I expected it to hurt, but it didn't. I think it was ok every time after that but I was very careful every time.

I think the first time was 2 or maybe 3 days after surgery.

Steve.

donna_lee said:

Hi to you, too

I realize your are busy, have a job, grad school  and "stuff" on your plate.

So I'll give it to you like it was presented to me.  "You have 5-7 months to live,....unless thay can do surgery."  And almost 12 years ago, I chose surgery.  It was extensive, as the tumor had mets to nodes and the liver. All those parts were remove, along with the defective gall bladder & main bile duct that had made we mention something to my dr.

It hurt a lot, I was sick with pancreatitis, but I was alive.  The cancer recurred in separate nodes 2 different times, requiring surgery- one easy, one difficult.

Would I go thru it again?  You betcha!  Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to give you advice.  The drug treatments available at the time were primitive and not really designed for long term survival.

Cancer changes the perspective we have about life and wanting to live.  So don't let anything get in your way, Jenn.

Be a survivor.

Hugs,

donna_lee

You are awesome

Otrava said:

Entire kidney will be removed Im sad

I was diagnosed with kidney cancer 2 weeks ago stage one and a week later told by the oncologist that my kidney must be removed the tumor is in the center of my kideny near main blood vessels and tubes. I will have the surgery but am scared!

 

So sorry you had to find yourself here

The shock is devasting especially when you start reading.

The fear is horrendous.. We have all sat where you are and felt it so can totally understand 

i am sorry I don’t have a experience of a full nephrectomy only a partial but if I can re assure you that in most cases the surgery is straightforward.. in fact in most cases if a full nephrectomy is planned it is easier to remove as the kidney does not need to be isolated (less risk of bleeding)

lots of people only have one kidney [born with one, malfunctin ‘ donation )

whilst  it is a major operation  it is very doable... quite a few of our family here have had it done and doing very well

you have been referred to an oncologist 

what size  was the mass did they said i

the aim is too  too give You the highest chance of a cancer free future and lots of people here are doIng just that

I understand the fear but as I always say if  I can do it with my  hard to find veins and fear of pain then anyone can

keep us posted

Annie

Good morning. Time will be your best friend. I understand your situation as I too am a single mom. I had my surgery in November and took a good 7 weeks off from work. I went back for 1 month only to have to go off again. It really sucks to know we have to face all of this and then still worry about bills and work. Please be kind to yourself. There will always be bills and there will always be work. There won't always be good health. Please be gentle to yourself after surgery and take your time. Do not push yourself too hard and put yourself backwards. Everyone has a different experience. Mine has been quite a long road, but I had a radical nephrectomy. Be honest with yourself at all times about how you feel. If you are sore or tired....rest. I wish you all the best!! You are in the right place and will get great info and encouragement here.

Glidergal365 said:

I'm so sorry

I will never forget the call I got last summer about them finding a mass on my kidney. I have felt all the stages of grief. Mine is at the lower part of the kidney but it grew in 6 months from a small mass on the bottom all the way up the side. It scares me more to leave it in. Although I'm scared about having surgery and recovery, I'm more scared to leave that thing in! Good luck and I'll be sending good thoughts your way!

We are together going through the same thing! I thank you so much! I also like your smile it encourages me! Why did your tumor grow so fast? I was told that mine is slow growing it is about 3/4 an inch. When will you have sugery? I am waiting to here from the scheduler and you also have children that is difficult!

 have read old literature that recommended 4 week recovery

The recent literature says 6 weeks

My surgeon said 6 weeks and I was back in five at a desk job .its was tough but doable.. it’s the exhuastion 

i understand you want to know but if you tell yourself three weeks you will  be pushing yourself to meet that irrespective of whether You are ready or not 

yes part time is a very good idea. You dont  want   The added pressure of full time and trying to keep up with every one else

what did your surgeon say

Annie

I think worry is normal, but mostly unnecessary.  As far as the pain pills are concerned I expect you will find you won't need them very much.  I think I took two the first day after surgery then went to tylonol.  I too have a fairly high resistance to pain  Just I spent one night in the hospital then went home and have done well since.