Waiting for Surgery (!)

I'm so sorry you had to join us, but this is a great forum here. If you have any questions or just want to complaint/vent, we're here for you. We've all been through what you're going through, so we know you're going to do great. 

If I understand you correctly, your doctor wants to try for a partial nephrectomy - where they try to remove just the tumor and leave part of the kidney intact. As opposed to a radical nephrectomy - where they remove the entire kidney. Yes, a partial is a tiny bit more complicated, but if he can do it, it'd be a good thing in the long run. You'd preserve added kidney functionality - or for in the off-chance that later in life you develop some other issue with your other kidney. Short answer: you can live a long healthy life with one kidney, but if your doctor wants to try for a partial and see if he can save it, I would at least try it. 

As for robotic vs open, try not to worry about that. Trust your doctor. Whatever ends up happening, the end result is that the cancer's gonna be out of your body, which is the important part. 

As for Dr. Google, please be careful with that. Google only makes anxiety worse. If you're finding yourself upset, stop googling and post your questions here instead. 

I know the surgery can seem overwhelming and scary, but we know you're gonna do great.

Two bits of advice before my nephrectomy that really helped me. 1, do as much walking as possible. You'll want to do walking after the nephrectomy to help the healing process, but walking before the surgery was really good for me, and I really do think it helped me be in a great place physically and mentally before the nephrectomy. And 2, get a spirometer (under $10 at Amazon) and practice breathing with it to help build up your lung strength. Same thing, I think it really helped me with recovery. 

Lastly, if reading other people's neph experiences will be helpful, click through to my user profile - there's a link to my nephrectomy story. 

Anyways, you're gonna do great and you'll be on the road to healing in no time. You've got this! 

So sorry you have to be here. It's routine procedure to warn you that a partial may turn into a full nephrectomy and robotic/lap may have to turn into open. I had an open partial and my anxiety and fear of pain and recovery were way worse than the reality. I had surgery Monday morning, up walking that night, home on Wednesday afternoon, and doing work at my computer (at home, of course) on Thursday morning. So try not to worry about it being an open vs. lap/robotic. From everything I've read on this forum, my recovery was no worse than others' who had it done robotically. As for partial, yes it's more complicated and depending on the location of the tumor, may not even be possible. But if it can be done, yes, do that because it's best to preserve as much kidney function as possible. Both lap/robotic and partial surgeries require a great deal of skill and experience so I would try to find the best person possible. I know you have faith in your husband's surgeon but I do think you should find a surgeon highly experienced in nephrectomy (especially partial and robotic.) All the very best to you! And yes, walk and use the spriomenter religiously prior to your surgery.

And prayers to you. As Tom Petty sings, the waiting is the hardest part. I had my left kidney removed a little over 3 years ago. It was an open surgery. Like others have said, try to stay away from Dr. Google. Hope your recovery goes well, try to get up and walk as soon as you are able. God bless.