Partial nephrectomy and Pre-op

Dear MW it sounds like your medical team have been very thorough in preparing you for surgery. I have been told that my kidney mass is exophytic so they won’t know until they start the surgery how they will proceed. I have been told that I will get another urology nurse as mine is going on maternity leave. I’m not sure how long to wait before I can start driving again. I think it is about eight weeks from the time my surgery was booked until I was given a date. My surgery will be robotic so Im assuming the da Vinci will be the same thing ? Best wishes.

I’ve been told that the kidney mass might be like a rotten potato and the growth might be inwards.

Hi EJ7861

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't thought about driving and how long it might be before I would be able to drive. I will ask.

The rotten potato image is quite something. Did you ask what it would look like or did they just tell you. 

I did feel quite fortunate with the team of people I met the other day. My first other experience with a consultant (who told me there was the mass there first of all) was not good and I feared this was how subsequent encounters might be. 

I found myself yesterday starting to realise that, whilst I don't feel unwell now (apart from a dull ache near my right kidney if I twist in the wrong position), after surgery I ma going to feel poorly. I am trying to get my head around what this might be like on a day to day basis. I'm not very good at staying still!

MW

Hi MW. I just wondered how you were doing?  I hope you are coping with the wait for a surgery date ?

Hi EJ7861

I'm not doing too badly. I'm finding work is a really useful distraction during the day. Trying to stay physically active and, where I feel I can, talk through my worries.

I must check the NHS app about 100 times a day to see if an appointment has come through.

How are you?

I don’t think that I was fully relaxed until the date for the op came through. I had my phone on ring all the time. I had a phone call then a letter confirming the date. I have tried to keep busy with my singing, Pilates and reflexology. It sounds like you are too.I am beginning to put things together for my hospital bag too.

How did it go?  Did your team stick with a Partial Nephrectomy once they were in? How are you feeling now?  Best wishes.