I have to go for part of the kidney removed but I am so worried. I have pain on the right side below the rib cage in the front.I am wondering after the operation is I will still have the pain and if it will come back
Welcome to the Macmillan community although I am sorry that you have needed to join us. It is quite natural to be anxious whilst you are waiting and to try and anticipate the next stage but we are all so individual that it is difficult to say how you will feel afterwards. My cancer was discovered by accident so I had no pain or symptoms before my operation. I had two paracetamol when I came around after my operation but have not really felt that my pain was unmanageable since and took nothing else. I had a morphine driver fitted when I woke from the operation but did not feel the need to use it. I would be reassured that whatever pain you might have the medics will have the tools to help you deal with this. Are you on any pain management at the moment as if not you might want to consult with your GP to see if they can arrange some for you.
Having even part or your kidney removed is a major surgery but it is also one which is carried out quite frequently by the surgeons. Have you had your pre op assessment or been given a date for your operations yet?
The one thing that is almost guaranteed after the operation is constipation so as soon as you do come around I would be asking the nurses about laxatives. I can promise that you will not feel like straining to move your bowels after your operation as much because of the fear and anticipation as any actual pain.
Recovery varies after the operation but remember it is major surgery. If you have keyhole surgery they "inflate your abdominal cavity with gas to give them a bit more room and it takes some time for this to disperse, I understand peppermint tea might assist with this. The fact that a part of your kidney has been removed also means that the rest of your insides will move slightly to use this space as any inflammation fades. This can feel strange for a while. If you have open surgery it is recommended that you have a rolled up towel or cushion to hand that you can press against the wound site if you need to cough, sneeze, sit up or go to the loo.
You will initially be very tired as your wound will take most of your energy to focus on healing but this will gradually reduce as your body heals. You have not completed your profile so I do not know if you are on your own or living with others but you will not feel like doing too much to start with. I would make sure you have all the items you might need in your property to let you cope for a few days without having to go shopping. A few frozen or ready meals can also be helpful.
When you start exercising do little and often rather than trying to achieve a lot from the start. I started off by simply walking to the end of the garden and back, gradually increasing to walking to the end of the street and back (resting as required) before venturing as far as the shop and the GP surgery. I would hope that if the pain you experience now is as a consequence of your kidney cancer then removal of the cause should also remove the pain. As you heal then hopefully your need for any pain management will reduce.
I mentioned earlier that it can be helpful to know a little bit about anyone posting on here as it makes the answers more relevant. It could be helpful if you could put a few details in to your profile. If you click on your username at the top right had side of the page then you can go to your profile page. Another button at the right hand side allows you to edit your profile as often as you like. If you want to find out a little about others on the site then click on their profile and you will be able to read what they have put. Some people choose to put only the basics and some (like me) put in a lot. It is entirely up to you how much detail you give.
You do not mention if you are employed or not but having had cancer you are now covered by the Disability Discrimination Act and have more rights about your return to your work and this can include a phased return to work or that reasonable adjustments be made to accommodate you. You can ask about any questions about this or other areas here but you can also contact the Macmillan helpline on 0808 808 00 00 and they will be able to offer emotional support and practical advice as well.
Your GP is the person who co-ordinates your medical care and if you do need pain management then you may be discharged from hospital with a few painkillers but if you continue to need medication then you should contact your GP asap.
As I said earlier recovery varies with the individual. It does appear that the healthier and fitter you are prior to the operation the quicker your recovery but this is not a hard and fast rule. In my case I felt little pain but my recovery took me longer than some due to some unusual complications. Some other have been going jogging or to the gym within weeks.
Please let us know how you are getting on and when your operation is due.
