Hello there. It’s nearly a year since I had a short notice (4 weeks) partial nephrectomy.
The two big things I’m having to deal with are depression and a different tolerance for exercise, as well as issues with low energy.
Firstly with depression, it became critical recently and have an appointment with an occupational health expert this week who will make some recommendations hopefully to my employer, as work has been a lot to handle.
However I did listen to the excellent Shine podcast - Not your grandmother’s cancer show - three days ago and on their mental health episode they mentioned a study stating depression after cancer is really common not necessarily at the time of the operation but in the years that followed, especially if you had experienced trauma from life events beforehand, all of which I have had.
I would definitely be interested and very grateful to know if anyone else has unexpectedly experienced increasing depression a year plus after their operation and anything they did to recover?
Secondly exercise wise, it’s like my body has changed and no longer responds to running and exercise the way it did before. All understandable I know especially with the depression diagnosis, but I used to be able to run 50K and now can barely manage 5K, even with training.
I sometimes wonder if I did too much too soon after the operation which may have affected my energy levels long term, though again that could be the depression effecting everything.
So just also wondering if anyone else experienced a complete lack of fitness and energy still a year after surgery despite trying?
I also apologise if I sound foolish and ungrateful - I realise I’m lucky to be alive and able to get outside at all.
Hiya Tim. I like u went through the whirl wind of accidentally finding my cancer to removal of kidney. You don't even have time to process it all. So it's no wonder you can go in to depression. Also we may be able to live with 1 kidney but by eck it must be a shock to the body's system, so again maybe a bit of chemical imbalance adds to a depressive state. Be aware I am no medical person. As for energy levels. I just recently found that there is a thing called cancer fatigue. Both macmillan and cancer uk mention it. A few years ago I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue, no reason why. And I had to adjust my life accordingly, accepting what I could do and when, without putting myself back in bed for days. Now my energy levels have changed again. Watching my healthy hubby still climbing and walking and enjoying life, while I gave up and couldn't see the point as I could only manage small walks with my new puppy. The epiphany came. I needed to adjust again. So hubby and my sons and I sat down and made some adjustments to suit me and them. We had noted that for me I could run an hour with good energy. Then I needed to just sit and rest for an hour or so. Then I could do some more...yesterday I actually did 2 hours moderate work in the garden with my hubby. Sorry about the essay..but what I am saying is. Adjust your goals Tim. U over do it physically and brooding mentally will hold u back. What was, is not now. Deal with now slowly, adjusting how u go and you may find u will build that nergy back up. But it will take time, patience and most of all it will teach u how to listen to your body. I hope this sort of helps. Hugest hugs. reach out if u need us that's what the forum is here... Wishing u day of epiphanies.... 
