When do you get your energy back after Kidney removal?

I had a radical laparoscopic nephrectomy last week (19/6/14). Ten days on I haven't really suffered a lack of energy. Before the operation I was getting tired at work in the mid/late afternoon and probably have more energy now than then. My wounds are still a bit sore and boredom has kicked in, so this restricts me more than anything.

The itchy skin feeling is driving me mad. I assumed that this was where they shaved me and due to the stubble growing back. The fact that others have experienced this will make me keep an eye it.

I am 46, so age is on my side in terms of recovery. I am trying to eat well and walk/exercise as often as possible to speed recovery. I still have to wait for the histology reports, but so far so good.

I have been trying to search for recovery rates online, but it seems that everyone is different and there is no set answer.

Best wishes to anyone with this condition and hope for a speedy recovery.

Hi.   Prior to cancer diagnosis (60yrs old) - I had spent the previous year working full time (avg 47hrs / week) as a work-at-home software engineer AND walking on bowflex treadmill 2,000 calories per day (about 10miles walking per day) 5 days out of 7.   So pretty strong - 50miles per week walkng + full work load.   AND felt pretty normal on weekends.   So I have good 'statistics'. 

On Fri May 1, 2015 I had a robotic, partial nephrectomry to remove a 4.1cm mass from my right kidney.   The surgery took 6-7hrs.   I was home 24hrs later on Sat.    I kept 80% of my kidney.    I took the following week off work.    So I had the 'best possible outcome' as far as I can tell from googling.     

I have been tracking my recovery......

For 1st 4 weeks I went from 39hrs/week to 45hrs/week +  5miles/week (1m/day)  to 25miles/week (5m/day) walking on bowflex treadmill.  TTook everything I have. 

For next 4 weeks I wend from 45hrs/week back to 47hrs/week +  5miles/week (1m/day) up to 10miles/day BUT only for 4 days and have felt total complete exhaustion.   Head light, cannot focus on computer for work.

Took the next week as vacation and have achieved 10miles per day for 5 days (50 miles) +  cleared my head/eyes....   BUT....  of course only light chores  / work.

SO...   I would say I'm only 60-70%? back after 2 months.    I take encouragment from this blog that its perfectly 'normal' to be less than 100% after 2 months.      I'll try to do another posting after 6 months OR when i feel that I returned to pre-operation 'naormal'.  

Just wanted to share as I actually have some hard stats in the form of treadmill miles/day and work hours per week.

Thanks

Ken 

I am 42 (turning 43 in September) and was diagnosed with 'Renal Cell Carcinoma'. The ultrasound and CT found a large left renal mass (likely renal cell carcinoma) measuring 4.4x5.4x5 cm.

After getting 2 opinions, I was advised "laparoscopic radical nephrectomy" to remove the left kidney.

I am not sure why the doctors decided NOT TO do a biopsy to confirm if the tumor is malignant or not. Or they could have just removed the kidney and some part of the kidney rather than the whole of it.

Well, I am scheduled for the 2nf of March, 2017 and hoping for a successful surgery

I was relieved to read Steve's post regarding speedy recovery. 

Thanks

Hi rdutter,

I also didn't have a biopsy and was told that tumours are quite distinctive but also (rather unsettlingly) that if they do try for a biopsy they quite often don't get any of the tumour but get some other tissue instead!

I think the decision to remove only part of the kidney can depend upon factors such as the size and position.  Your tumour is about the same size mine was but it may be positioned differently.  Mine was in the lower half of the kidney and I had a partial nephrectomy.

All the best for 2nd of March and also a quick recovery.

Gragon xx

Thanks for your inputs. Much appreciated. If I may ask, where did you get the surgery? I am based in Toronto. 

I don't mind getting a third opinion!

I was 50 when I had a partial nephrectomy and 2 tumours removed. The itching lasted for 3-4 months. The weariness has lasted 14 months so far and is just starting tonimprove now. She needs to pace herself with very small increases now and then.

 . I hope the people about to undergo kidney surgery think that your recovery is normal I had a partial nephrectomy in November in 2016 and there is no way in the time scale that what you say is possible and gives false hope to people about to have the surgery or who have just had it and are trying to recover I am 10weeks post op and an just about recovered I am sorry to be so blunt but we need to be realistic as well as positive.

With certain types of tumours, taking a biopsy can let out cellsand cause spreading. I was told that was why I didn't have one. 

Thanks for your response!