Preparing for husband's partial nephrectomy

Hi SleepyD,

you have come to the right place for support, none of us want to be in the position that we are in, but this group gives some great support and you are more than welcome to one of my on line hugs anytime

The first thing that struck me with your message, is that it seems to be an excellent time to have a cleaner…..if you can afford one then that’s not being extravagant it’s being proactive to conserve your energy to look after your husband.

I have just come out of hospital having had a radical ( full) nephrectomy and so your husbands experience will be different to mine. The two best bits of advice that I was given was to buy some bigger trousers for post op when the abdomen is likely to be swollen and also to have a big cushion for the journey home from hospital as that helps to protect the stomach from any bumps….this advice came from two lovely ladies on the forum, Betty and Sandy and I am so glad that I took the advice. 

I am sure that others will post here too to help you.

Take care, Jules xx

Glad you have come through your op okay and have gone home really quickly. I wish you a very speedy recovery. Not sure if you had keyhole or open surgery like myself but either way your positive outlook will see you through it., take care xx

As Jules says if you can afford it dont hesitate to get in a cleaner. You need to conserve your energy to help your husband. He will be in pain for a while but with the help of meds he will get better every day. I had a total nephrectomy 17 years ago and was fine until a secondary kidney cancer showed up., had surgery in March and awaiting radiotherapy very soon., positive attitude is the way forward and make sure you look after yourself too. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel and you will both get through this. Take care and sending positive vibes to you and all our fellow kidney people xx

Hi SleepyD you are in the best place for advice as it's the little things which normally throw you. You do sound organised under the circumstances yes like Jules says also be aware he will sleep more than normal or feel really tired ( nanna naps ) tell him not to fight it his body will tell him when he needs to rest.

Also he might notice a taste difference which Deloo mentioned it will eventually go away. Lots of drugs but don't overdo it that's not a path you want to go down.

I craved ready salted crisps and the nurse on the check up was horrified ( lower your salt intake) it may kill you... I will leave that with you.

Also as on some of my posts try and make any support network you have that you are going through this process together I know you will feel a bit isolated.

Plenty of fluids and rest.

Hope this helps and please ask anything else.

Above all try to stay positive listen to the advice.

Good luck and fingers crossed

Mike

Hi SleepyD,

You've had some great advice already. I would agree with Jules soft waistband loose trousers would be good. Pillows for the car journey home. And a few more pillows in bed than you would normally have too. Getting comfortable can be difficult at first. A mixture of pillows will help that.

Lovely that you come here and ask.

You may find your husband a little more emotional than he usually is (or maybe that was just me).

Good luck sleepyD. Wishing you both the very best....Del.

Hello Jules,

Thank you so much for writing, I definitely appreciate the online hug, and send one back to you

I'm sorry to hear you have gone through so much, but very heartened to hear from someone who has gone through it. It's very kind of you to share your experiences and I very much appreciate it

The plan is for my husband (Mike's) op to be a partial nephrectomy, but they have explained there's a chance of it changing to radical. So it's good to be prepared, I'm thinking . Though of course I wish we could bury our heads in the sand a bit longer!!

Thank you for your tips, I had wondered about clothing so I am relieved to know now what will help. And I hadn't thought of the pillows/cushions at all, so huge thanks to you and to Betty and Sandy!

As for the cleaner, thank you for explaining your feelings on that, you understand all the doubts and hesitations I have! It's felt like a huge step to take all these years, but you're right, now is a good time. I'll try and tackle that next week, I've been feeling a bit too sick myself to deal with phonecalls and appointments. But better now, than be in a worse position further down the line

Mike is very much an introvert, so rubbish with talking to anyone about stuff like this, but when I told him of the replies on here he was very touched! Thank you again and to all who have replied here. I am very slow with replying, but I will get back to everyone as we both appreciate your kindness and support so much.

And to you Jules, do take very good care of yourself and I wish you a continued and fast return to health xx

Hi SleepyD,

And a warm welcome to the kidney community, I know getting this earth shattering news sends everyone in to shock panic and sleepless nights, we are all only human so forget about being hard on yourself and your husband, take each day as it comes more and more you will have questions try to stay positive and look after yourselves, the doctors are very good and will go through everything with you before the op, the only thing I will tell you is everyone is different and we all recover in different ways, some have pain after some don’t that we will only find out after your husband op, try to carry on as best as you can stay on this site for help and companionship, I am sending all my best wishes for you both and if you can afford get that cleaner as that will take some of the pressure off you both.

love Sandy sending hugs  

Hi Jules,

 I am so pleased that you are home again so soon, is your recovery going well I hope I see you have had time to answer the new ones to the site, sending love and hugs Sandy xx

Hi Gooner, so lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your lovely and supportive message - it's very much appreciated!

That's amazing to hear how well you've been doing since your total nephrectomy, and your sunshiney positive attitude is inspiring. So sorry to hear how things have turned recently. My husband and I will keep you in our thoughts. Take good care of yourself too and sending positive vibes back to you xx

Hey Deloo,

Thanks for your message, such helpful tips! I couldn't be more grateful tbh!! I've actually started to make a list, so thank you hugely!

Yes, I am preparing for the emotional side too. I see how he is over his eyesight, so this will certainly have an effect too, and is already. It certainly won't be just you

Thank you so much for your kind wishes and our best wishes back to you.

PS I've got to add here that I've accidentally clicked 'flag to moderator' on Vanmanmikey!! I nudged my mouse and oops! I've messaged the moderator so I am hoping they can fix this. And I hope Vanmanmikey can see this apology!! So sorry!!