Recovery after partial nephrectomy for cancer

[rosycheeks]

I am six weeks post-op from a partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.  I have done well in the recovery period, only complication was a UTI which was treated with an antibiotic. The pain is minimal at this time, controlled by Advil if needed.  I find am unable to do physical work for more than an hour without getting shaky and sweaty......when can I expect to return to normal tolerance for activity?

[Chixon]

I had OPN on October 1, 2010 to remove 3.9 cm cyst. PET/CT scan confirms all cancer was removed.  Going into seventh week postop returned to work two weeks ago part-time. Surgery left me cancer free (YIPEE) with 8" scar.  The top if my scar remains swelled and I have no feeling below the scare.  My pain flextulates from day-to-day and I tire very easily.  Surfing through internet in search of someone that can let me know when pain should leave and when energy level should return.  After working four to six hours I can barely stand up straight to walk.  I have found wearing a support arround my waist seems to control some of the pain and gives me a slightly better range of motion.  Please let me know if anyone out there can tell me how long it took them to be pain free (or tolerable) and when they were able to return to their usual activiy patterns with usual energy levels??? Thanks. Glad to be cancer free!!!!

[pickett]

I have partial nephrectomy for RCC 2 months ago. The cancer was an papillary cancer wtih stage T3N0M0. The  size was 3.5 X 2 cm and the cancer  spreaded in the fatty tissue around the tumor. Why the surgeon did not remove all the kidney ?

[kclimtan]

I had my opn on my left kidney on feb 25th this year. I too have a bulge in the front just above the incision mark. Have seen my urologist who performed the op and he was not very concerned about it as the ultrasound scan (done after 2 months) was clear. Have read in other forums that the swelling takes some time to go away !
The bulge is prominent when I am standing up and seems to flatten out abit when I am sitted or lying down. Wonder whether you experience the same ?
Sorry if I have not answered your query. God Bless and take care.

[rosycheeks]

I had my surgery in 2008, at first I had a slight "tube shape" above my surgical incision, this has grown to be a decidedly large "lump" in that area.  My surgeon has said it may be a small incisional hernia but is most likely muscle which bulges due to nerve damage in the incisional area.  He said basically I should just live with it as any repair would be worse than putting up with the disfiguration.  I have had to stop wearing belts or anything tight in the waist area and I wear loose tops.  My cancer check up was negative at the two year mark so I am learning to be grateful for that and disregard the side effect of the surgery.  I don't have the pain that someone mentioned and for that i am really grateful!

[beetlesmom]

Hello, i had a partial nephrectomy on feb 3,2009 on my left side,and I still have that ugly uneven look. if i tense up my muscles it looks like a "ski slope". the doctor told me "it looks great" i think he's crazy. my scar is 13" kinda like a rainbow. I'm hoping it still will regain it's smoother shape.

[Tootsie478]

Hi, I had a partial nephrectomy on Feb 4, 2010, my problem is I have a large amount of fluid in the area of my scar.  This makes me look lop sided.  My clothes don't look right on me and it is very upsetting.  My whole right side is swollen.  No one seems to know if this will go away.  I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had this problem.