New here. Diagnosed August 2.

Welcome!! sorry you have to be here with us but it's a great support group.  Praying that your urologist gives you good news!!

I had my nNeph at a young 59. Had 2 aditipnal sutgeries when I was 76, 2 years ago. Prostate and Gallbladder. You should be fine.

icemantoo

I went in to the ER 2 weeks ago after peeing blood and left side pain.  I had a kidney stone about 15 years ago and I was fairly sure that's what it was.  The ER doc ordered a CT of the abdomen to be sure the stone would pass and that there was no blockage, etc.  They found a 13.2 x 10.3 x 15.1 cm mass on the kidney.  Throughout my life I've always had great blood pressure.  A couple years ago I suddenly developed high blood pressure and have been on medication....pretty sure this was the cause.  I've been really fortunate to get in quickly to see an oncologist and a urologist that specializes in kidney cancer.  Both doctors tell me that the tumor seems encapsulated and it doesn't appear that there is any spread.  I am scheduled to have a nephrectomy on October 29th...5 days from now.  The urologist is planning to remove the kidney and tumor laparoscopically; however, he told me to expect a good sized incision based on the size of the tumor.  I've been reading as much as I can about the procedure, recovery time and expectations for the future.  My biggest fear is that it will come back.  I've had a CT with and without contrast of the chest and that seems to be clear.  I just had another CT of the abdomen with and without contrast as the first one was only without.  Supposed to get the results of that scan tomorrow.  I'm staying calm most of the time but I'm worried.  I haven't really felt quite right for the last year or so...low energy, stomach a bit off.  I'm hoping that if this procedure goes well I might feel like my old self again.  I'm 59...I was thinking that feeling crappy was just a sign of getting old.  I'd welcome advice from anyone who has gone through this.... 

Except that I was 50 when I was diagnosed.  Very scary but I'm seven months out and feeling great.  Mine was laproscopic and there were four incisions with the lower abdomen being the largest.  The three smaller ones are barely noticeable now but even the larger one is not bothersome.  The recovery time will vary for everyone but the two things I wish I had been prepared for were 1) standing for a long time was tough so I wish I had gotten a shower chair for the first week or two and 2) sleeping is uncomfortable...it took me over a week to be able to even try laying on my side...a body pillow greatly helped so I wish I had gotten one BEFORE my surgery.  I ended up getting one and it helped a lot!  It's a tough surgery but recovery is short lived...give yourself time to heal and you'll be fine. I have no lingering effects, once I healed, I was fine.  Also, the incision pain was pretty bad but my doc told me to use lidocaine patches around the incision (not directly on) and it was a game changer.  It really alleviated pain and helped me get around more easily.  

Good luck with your surgery...you are going to do great!!  And while fear of it returning will probably never go away, we are all there with you.  You just take each scan as it comes!  Every clear scan that I get makes it a little easier!  Like yours, my cancer was confined and the doctors are optimistic that it won't come back.  Nothing is guaranteed but they have come a long, long way with kidney cancer!!

Sorry you both had to join us, but this is a great forum here. Most of us have been in your shoes, so we know what you're going through. if you have questions/concerns or just need to vent. 

Val - my situation was similar to yours. My blood pressure went up a few years before they found my tumor. After my neph, my blood pressure dropped way down. 

And that fear it comes back is totally normal. A fellow named Fox used to give this advice- "We all fear recurrence. Don't let it be the anchor that sinks your ship. Know that you have dodged a bullet. Smile, love, and live on!!!! Just stay up to date with all your appointments." 

Good luck with your neph. If a scared clueless shlub like me could get through it, I am CONFIDENT that you will, too. We're with you!  

Well said Donna 

Hey Val, I hope I can help calm some of your fears, you sound like you are very prepared and ready to have this done!  I would recommend eating light today, I had simple things like small amount of chicken salad--no bread, fruit, eggs, pancakes, etc.  Just stay away from heavy meat/potato or pasta meals.  Tomorrow sounds daunting with a liquid diet, but really my nerves were so high that I had no appetite!  But force yourself to drink some broth, you need the nutrition, and treat yourself to a popsicle or two (be a kid again!).  I got the real fruit juice popsicles.  Really the day will go quicker than you think.  The bowel prep should be fairly easy as long as you follow the diet recommendations.  Honestly, your trips to the bathroom should be done by about bedtime.  You might feel the urge again morning of surgery, but don't worry about accidents, you will have control by then.  As far as post-surgery, you will have a catheter in place and your output will be monitored, they want to make sure kidney function is ok.  You will be asked several times throughout your stay to rate your pain 1-10.  Be honest, they want to ensure your comfort.  The first time I tried to get up and walk I was still a little woozie, all I could do was sit up and "dangle" my legs, there was no walk.  I felt like a failure, but they told me not to worry about it and we would try again.  We did, and I got as far as the room door, and the next morning I got down the hall and back--a little at a time!  Do what you are comfortable with and I can't stress that enough!  As far as a BM, it could take some time due to the bowel prep.  You may only be given instructions to take an OTC stool softener.

Please do not worry!  They will go over your release instructions with you and your support person.  They will want to make sure you understand your at-home care and are comfortable!  And everyone is different.  My first partial neph six years ago (left side), my hospital stay was 4 days.  I am currently 6 days post partial neph (right side) and was only in one night.

This board is a wealth of information and inspirational accounts!  Stop in and let us know how you are doing!  Good luck!

Just to add my experience-

Don't sweat the magnesium citrate. I was worried about it, too, but it wasn't excessive or uncontrollable. Like GiGi said, by the day of, everything had already been flushed out. 

If I remember correctly, the requirements for me to be released were to have passed gas at least once (so that my insides were awake and working again), and to be able to walk the floor of the hospital. 

I wrote about my experience in detail here - https://csn.cancer.org/node/318416 - if it'll help to read someone else's experience. 

We're with you, val. You're gonna do great. 

Hello, Val.  I am 60 and had an open, partial nephrectomy on 9/8/21.   The pathology on my tumor was 4.2 cm upon them measuring it in the lab.   I see your surgery is scheduled for 10/29.   Try to be brave and remember that your surgery is part of YOU now actively engaging that tumor.   Think of it in terms of 'Get 'er done!"  Show up for the surgery and then engage the process.   Don't worry so much about what's gonna happen down the line so to speak.   Just deal with what's in front of you, but be as pro-active as possible at the same time.   So you take care and hang in there, OK?

So glad all went well, Val And you are home! Take it easy and listen to your body, but walk around your home as much as possible, it will help with your recovery!