nephrectomy: I have a 5 cm Tumor in my right... - Kidney Disease

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Sickey profile image
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I have a 5 cm Tumor in my right kidney I have to have a nephrectomy next week any advice on recovery

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Sickey
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50 Replies
jodaer profile image
jodaer

No but sending lots of healing energy your way. let us know how it goes.

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to jodaer

thank u

userotc profile image
userotc

My mum had a nephrectomy ~6y ago at age 61 after a 13cm tumour was discovered. Full recovery was ~3m but depends on your "full recovery" definition.

More importantly, you then need to do what you can to improve it's function - medics rarely can/do. Her eGFR was 36 then, it's now ~60 following a Nutritional Therapy protocol.

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to userotc

thank u just been for pre op all good surgery first week in september

spinningjenny profile image
spinningjenny

I had a nephrectomy last November due to a non functioning kidney and multiple infections. Recovery was fairly quick. Just take things easy, listen to your body, gradually increase exercise but nothing too strenuous for a few months. Good luck x

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to spinningjenny

thank u

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to spinningjenny

Had surgery on 18 September surgery took 5 hours everything went well slowely recoverign awaiting biopsy results

CatOnACloud profile image
CatOnACloud

Hey there. Sorry you gotta get used to saying “the kid” instead of “the kids” 🤭 I had mine out at 17 though it was a birth defect. It was 1989, so it was an open procedure—9 inches whew whata shark bite. Scar? Nobody can see it now.

My surgery was frankly pretty bad. Spent a week in. One thing nobody tells you is you pee blood and tissue for at least a few day. You also have a drain (or two) a few inches below nephrectomy site, which allow for some blood and fluid to drain. It’s a rubber type drainage hose.

Your other kidney, assuming it’s healthy, will take over for the fallen comrade and within weeks with show to be larger, which is compensatory size adjustment which shows in MRIs etc.

Your remaining kidney is automatically considered CKD Chronic Kidney Disease, but it can help if you need it when you’re in ER! Get all possible UTIs reviewed right away so they dont affect the kid.

Remember these are my takeaways and your experiences will be variations. Hope its smooth as possible for you.

Sickey profile image
Sickey

thank u for advice will keep everyone posted

RhenDutchess123 profile image
RhenDutchess123

Hope all things go well for you and you feel better soon...Sending Healing Vibes

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to RhenDutchess123

Thank you

denoon1 profile image
denoon1

Had my left kidney removed a year ago laparoscopically . Went in on Monday and home on Wednesday. Cancer was contained so no post op treatment. The remaining kidney is not in good shape, stage 4, so watching it closely. Good luck, the operation is not bad if done laparoscopically and take care of the one that is remaining

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to denoon1

thank u it’s been done robotic surgery I will keep u posted when surgery is done

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to denoon1

was ur surgery done with a general anaesthetic

Pigletmom profile image
Pigletmom

Allow yourself to experience the natural and normal emotions and feelings that come and go before and after the procedure. It’s ok to laugh and it’s ok to cry. This is a major life transition. And be your own best advocate while in the hospital - there are many studies out there that support patients who ask the most questions and advocate for themselves live the longest! My thoughts will be with you and those that you love as you approach this next journey.

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Pigletmom

thank you

KidneyCoach profile image
KidneyCoachNKF Ambassador

I had both kidneys removed in 2006. It was laparascopically assisted. The incision was small with several 1 inch scars. Had my surgery on a Thursday and went home the following Tuesday. I was up and walking laps through the entire floor within 2 days post op. Pain was doable and well contained. Once home I took advantage of naps but increased my activity level slowly and steady. Didn't push myself just listened to my body. I went back to work (cashier) 2 months later.Hope this helps. Blessings

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to KidneyCoach

thank u that helps a lot

BeachLove profile image
BeachLove in reply to KidneyCoach

Hello, Did you then have a transplant or are you living without kidneys? I need to have a double nephrectomy before a transplant as my abdomen is very large and I am a small person. Living without kidneys frightens me. I have been on dialysis for 2 1/2 years. Any feedback that you can give me would be helpful. Thank you!

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to BeachLove

no I’m having my right kidney removed hopefully very soon

hope1419 profile image
hope1419 in reply to BeachLove

Beachlove, Do you already have a donor? I needed my nephrectomy to get my transplant because I had infection-causinf kidney stones that I wouldn't be able to fight with lowered immune system. I thought they would take the bad kidney and put in the new one, but not. They told me I had to heal after nephrectomy, first. So, I needed at least 6 weeks to heal. I was never in dyalisis, but for what I read, I didn't want to do it. So, I searched and was lucky to find a living donor. I think you should try to be transplanted as soon as you can after nephrectomy, unless you are doing fine in dyalisis. Transplant was the only way I wanted to go.

BeachLove profile image
BeachLove in reply to hope1419

Thank you for for reply. Dialysis is keeping me alive but a lousy way to live. I have been searching for a living donor. How did you find yours?

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to BeachLove

when I have my right kidney removed doctor said u can manage with one kidney

hope1419 profile image
hope1419 in reply to BeachLove

I am so sorry I has not looked into this for ever. I hope this still helps. I found my donor through a local newspaper article. A friend helped me get in touch with a reporter, and I prepared my story based on what the NKF suggests, I told my story and why I needed a donor. 3 people responded and ai found my donnor. Here is a link : hubcityspokes.com/news-peta...

KidneyCoach profile image
KidneyCoachNKF Ambassador in reply to BeachLove

I've never had a transplant. I live and rely solely on dialysis. I had my bilateral nephrectomy 17 years ago. In my 22nd year of home hemodialysis. Just follow and complete all tasks for the new lifestyle. Message me if you want. Blessings

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to KidneyCoach

thank you

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to KidneyCoach

thank you for such kind words

CatOnACloud profile image
CatOnACloud in reply to KidneyCoach

And you work at cashiering with all this going on? Amazing!

Blueflax profile image
Blueflax

I had the same size tumor on my left kidney which was removed laparoscopically January 2022. Doable pain for me. I was up the next morning, dressed myself and sat on the bed waiting for the doctor to check me out. No other treatment needed. I listened to my body and took naps and walked around the house several times a day, for the first few days. In January it is really cold here and sometimes ice and snow so I was more careful walking outside and luckily had my husband's arm to hold onto. I was 70 years old when I had the surgery. I had 4 puncture holes, maybe 5 which you can't see anymore and one long incision from my belly button to just above my pubic bone; that looked ugly until it healed. I was scared for the surgery but just knowing I wanted the tumor to be gone I was ok with the entire kidney being removed. My tumor was found by accident so I was very grateful of that which gave me a more positive outlook than for others. Take good care of yourself and let us know how you are after the surgery. Wishing you a successful surgery and recovery.

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Blueflax

thank u I will like u mine was discovered by accident which was lucky just waiting on date now should not be long

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Blueflax

hi had surgery done on 18 September surgery took 5 hours everything went well slowely recoverign awaiting biopsy results

Blueflax profile image
Blueflax in reply to Sickey

Thank you for your update, let me know how the biopsy results are. Sending you hugs

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Sickey

hi had biopsy results suergeon said it was a very aggressive tumour stage three said they will monitor me for five years do ct scan every six months and blood tests

hope1419 profile image
hope1419

I had to have my left kidney removed in 2020 because I had kidney stones that damaged it and I needed a transplant that couldn't happened with that kidney causing infections. It was done laparoscopically. I had 3 little scars and my biggest one was covered with tape. I didn't have a tumor, but they took all the kidney. I didn't have any drainage. I had a catheter for about 4 days. Then, I just had to rest and had some pain medicine, but pain wasn't awful. I thought it was good compared to the surgeries to take the stones out.

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to hope1419

thank u for replying

OldTownhammock profile image
OldTownhammock

I had my left kidney removed due to a 2.5 cm tumor which was benign, but would have shut down my kidney. I had one night in the hospital. I took it easy for a couple of days but did not feel very bad and didn't need to take pain meds for more than 2 days.

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to OldTownhammock

thanks for replying

Nigey49 profile image
Nigey49

I had a partial kidney removal in 2021 they found a 3cm tumour on my left kidney I had the op on a Friday and Saturday I was up and dressed walking around but taking it easy, I was discharged in the afternoon but told to take it easy and rest when needed, I also had to have daily anti clotting injections for 30 days but I recovered good and the 5 little scars on my belly have healed well, hope you have a good recovery like I did.

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Nigey49

thank you

Miss-guineapig profile image
Miss-guineapig

wishing you well, keep us posted Sickey xx

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Miss-guineapig

Recoverign well thank u

Miss-guineapig profile image
Miss-guineapig in reply to Sickey

Great to hear, take good care Sickey x

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Miss-guineapig

thank you

SFGiants_10 profile image
SFGiants_10

I had a radical nephrectomy in 2006 and my tumor was 11cm. My urologist gave me 18 months to live. In 2018 my solitary kidney had a 16mm tumor. Most urologists were not willing to do a partial nephrectomy. In June’22 I had partial nephrectomy at Stanford, CA. Now I’m living a normal life. My creating is 1.03. Well I understand how you feel. Have faith and a strong will power to live. All the best 🙏

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to SFGiants_10

thank you 👍🙏

SFGiants_10 profile image
SFGiants_10

May I suggest that you change your screen name to a positive one? Don’t feel “Dickey”, feel rejuvenated.

SFGiants_10 profile image
SFGiants_10

sickey

Kapp99 profile image
Kapp99

Sickey i had the same done onmy right kidney removed,seven years ago, had robotic surgery and two days in the hospital and left with a catheter still in which my Urologist removed on day 3. just general soreness. and not much to it! my left kidney has grown a little to pick up the slack of having one kidney. just keep hydrated and watch your blood pressure, and your diet so your not diabetic which is harmful to your kidney

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Kapp99

thank u for replying I’m having surgery done soon il let u know how it went

Sickey profile image
Sickey in reply to Kapp99

had surgery done on 18 September opp took 5 hours everything went well slowely recoverign

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