One Thing After Another

12 Cm tumour not 12” - doh!

Hi Lynda Topsymum welcome to the community n to this group in particular - tho I'm sure you'd rather not be here.

What you're describing seems par for the course - struggling to cope,head spinning.

Once you have a proper treatment plan, things will settle down a bit more. I have always been overweight and yet the surgeon seemed to deem me fit in terms of having my op ( 15 years ago). I didn't have to do anything like a bicycle test. Either things have moved on in the last 15 years or your hospital is extra cautious. Others in the group will probably comment further on this so I'll quit waffling.

Do let us know how your op goes on the 17th,

Sue

Thanks buttercup01 Sue. I’m still reeling from the news but felt particularly down following the bicycle test. I will definitely keep you informed following the op.

Lynda

Thank you Topsymum Lynda

Hi @Topsymum,

I was not told that I was unfit but they obviously had significant concerns about me due to my weight. (about 27stones or 174 kg)  My heart was checked and was fine. I was tested for diabetes which was negative, and sleep apnoea.   It was found that I did have sleep apnoea and was issued a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine which blows air into my throat when I stop breathing during my sleep.  I had to use this for a month to make sure I could use it OK before I had the operation.

I was advised to take the CPAP machine to hospital with me and that I would wake up in the intensive care unit due to the fact that they would want to monitor my breathing more closely.

The operation took about 6 1/2 hours and I did wake up in ITU.  I felt fine and was quickly transferred to a normal surgery ward to continue to recover.

I was discharged after about 5 days.

I would have thought that the people doing the pre-op assessment people should know the planned operation date as the assessment has to occur within a certain time of the operation.  However, this might not be an exact day as they will have to look at the schedule so I would want confirmation if it was me.

It is worth talking to your GP about how you are feeling as they are the coordinator of all your treatment and will receive copies of all the paperwork and test results.  They can also see if you need to adjust any treatment regarding your depression.

It is also a good idea to ring the Macmillan helpline as they give excellent advice and support and can help guide you through the process.  You can call them on 0808 808 00 00.

I hope that this offers you some reassurance.

All the best,

Gragon xx

Hi Gragon

Thank you for your helpful, considered reply.  I don’t have any issues with my heart or breathing and having received a heads up on the other tests the disparaging remarks about having seen fitter 93 year olds was a real blow to my already fragile mental health.

i will try to get to see my GP and see if he knows any more than I do!

So very grateful for the support and information on this site.

Lynda x

Thanks Gragon

Sue

Had a full laparoscopic nephrectomy which removed left kidney with 12 Cm tumour, adrenal gland with tumour and some lymph glands on Tuesday morning 17 March. I was able to eat toast for my supper the same day. Catheter was removed Wednesday morning and I was able to walk around from that time and was discharged Thursday afternoon. Would strongly recommend people waiting for their operation to make sure they will be receiving adequate pain relief. The anaesthetist had said I would be given a pump to self medicate or an epidural. I said either of these would be acceptable. In the event I was given neither of these but prescribed paracetamol, which even normally is not my first choice due to its ineffiency for my usual health problems. I was literally shivering with pain in between six hourly paracetamol top ups. Finally a very understanding staff nurse managed to get me some Oxycodin and then I was prescribed Tramadol and became comfortable enough to be discharged. The pain relief let me down. I know services are stretched but adequate pain relief is essential for early discharge and mental wellbeing. It sure is a journey x

Hi @topsymum. Glad you got it over n done with.

I'd an epidural which came out n the nurses didn't realise.

It was only when the anaesthetist came that I finally got some more pain relief.

hi Topsymum,

It's good to hear that you have had your operation but it is a shame that they messed up the pain relief.  The response to the operation varies so much.  I had a morphine pump fitted but didn't need to use it as I had virtually no pain.  Not necessarily a good thing as I think with no pain to slow me down I over did things and ended up back in hospital a week later when the wound started to bleed (very slowly) internally and I was peeing blood.

Hopefully you will have a good recovery.

All the best,

Gragon x