Operation looming and very frightened

Hi Jo

I'm going to take a wild guess that you're female and hopefully give you a couple of useful practical tips! I had a radical laparoscopic nephrectomy for a 5cm tumour 5 years ago. My son was 12 at the time - so I can really relate to your position.

Getting in and out of bed after was painful for a good week or so. The physio showed me the best way to do this - so ask if you're not sure. I found that pre-empting getting up with a bit of pain relief quite useful! 

I found the trapped gas after the op quite painful - it gathered in my chest - and I was given peppermint oil to help disperse it. Useful to have some as not all hospitals do.

I bought bigger knickers, and wore a nightdress rather than pyjamas and dresses and very soft elastic waisted stuff at home rather than my usual jeans, so there was no pressure on my scars - I told you, top tips ;-)

I spent the weeks before the op doing chores, house, washing, clothes, batch cooking, so I had nothing at all to do or worry about when I got home and could just concentrate on recovery.

Big fingers crossed for you!

Hi Jo,

         Wild guess spot on. Thank you for all of your useful advice, I have heard somebody else mention peppermint oil, so am just off to get some now and big pants.

Op is less than a week now so am frantically trying to get everything done.

Thanks again

Jo

xx

Hi Jo, 

just want to wish you all the best for your pending surgery. 

I underwent a Laparoscopic Nephrectomy July 2017 at aged 49. I have three children with my youngest now aged 14. 

My tumour was 4.5cm and all scans since then have been clear. 

The surgery for me was pretty uncomfortable but only for a short time. It soon passed. As everyone has mentioned the sitting to standing position catches your breath and the gas hurt across my chest and clavicle area. But again it was short lived. 

Give yourself time to recover. I compared my recovery on a weekly basis not daily. That helped. 

Ensure you take good care of your mental health. That was the hardest struggle for me. When I turned around and realised what had just happened. 

It will be coming up to two years for me in a few months time and life is now how it was before. I’m back at work and taking care of my family. I don’t think I am how I was before but I mean that in a positive way. I feel stronger as a person. I don’t tolerate negative energy anymore. Positive vibes only here!! 

Take good care of yourself xx 

Michelle