new kidney network member

Gtngbtr58 @aol.com said:

Dear Giving

I had a radical neph 11/27/17.  2.5 cm mass stage 3a grade 2 B"H.  I had no symptoms except my blood test showed a drop in my hemaglobin and my Dr. Did every test and ultimately a MRI w/w/o contrast when I was diagnosed with RCC.  I was in SHOCK and made the mistake of reading EVERYTHING about the disease -bad choice.  Here is where you will find caring people who give you advise first hand.  My advise to you is take it slow and easy.  Lean on anyone you can physically and mentally.  Walk but don't overdue it.  Take colase and miralax for constipation. The most important advise is make sure you get a good nite sleep.  I had no fatigue I think I was too anxious and I couldn't sleep at night.  I WAS A MESS.  My Dr. Gave me a prescription for sleep which really helped.  Remember your body is going thru a big operation-it needs time to come back to itself.  I am 8 months post surgery-my life will never be the same but that's ok.  With g-ds help I am so much better almost myself.  Good luck-June

all tis is helpful, thank you. after being in unaccountably good spirits for two weeks, sleep is elusive tonite.

so how wonderful it is to light up the screen & find these words of wisdom here.

vibrant wishes for your continued wonderful path. 

Rob57 said:

Surgery Experience

I had a radical nephrectomy of my left kidney in May of 2012. 7.1 x 5.5 with no other issues. Lymph nodes around the kidney were clean and the surgeon was very pleased with the result. I went in for surgery at 1 pm on Tuesday and was released the next day about 11 am and back home for lunch on Wednesday. It is major surgery and it took me about three weeks to be well enough to go back to work. When I did go back to work I would get very fatigued by about 3 pm, but was able to put in full days. After one or two weeks back, the fatigue was not much of a problem. It took me about six months to get back to normal. One thing that I found to be helpful was that I got up and walked every couple of hours, no matter the time during that first three weeks. I think that I spent about 7 to 10 days on the sofa downstairs. But I would walk like clockwork. More like shuffling between the living room and dining room, but I found that the activity really helped to speed my recovery. That being said, everyone is different and you just need to find what works best for you. The worst part of the whole experience was the ride home from the hospital. My doctor used a DaVinci robot to remove my kidney and I only had smaller incisions, about four 1 inch incisions to allow for the equipment and one 3 inch incision to remove the kidney. With that process they pump you up with CO2 to let the doctor have an area inside to work in. They need to roll you over an back while you are in the hospital to dissipate the gas. I had a lot of pain from the gas moving around on the ride home, but it was short lived and once I was home I really did not have a lot of pain. Just take it easy and you will be fine. I wish you good luck on your upcoming surgery. I hope that yours will be as uneventful as mine was. 

your detail is a welcome & helpful tip. my hubby had read about the CO2 gas & aftereffects from robotic (which is the kind schedule for my case) but this is the first i have read of it. having a very sensitive stomach & intensines likely it will be an issue for my post-op & it helps to be prepared. 

congratulations on your good fast recovery & for being 6 years out - that's wonderful wonderful wonderful. you just enjoyed your july 1 anniversary  

more appreciations

Deanie0916 said:

Welcome

I am still here almost two years after radical nephrectomy 20 cm tumor. NED so far. I agree with the other posters take it slow. Walking a lot as you are able as soon as you can will help too. All the best to you.

Appreciations for these good thoughts.