Partial nephrectomy: How was your recovery?

Me too! But radical total nephrectomy 3 weeks recovering. Fabulous care and no chemo no radiation as surgery is my cure. I’m so happy my doctor said as far as he is concerned I am cancer free now! Scan of lungs and abdomen in 3 months.

My dad died of end stage renal failure about 35 yrs. ago. Because he was a veteran, a dialysis unit was delivered to his home and Mom was taught how to use it. He used to scream in pain during the treatments and he asked Mom to get his gun and shoot him. He was, obviously, out of his head with pain, because even Mother Teresa wasn't nicer or more gentle than my Mom. He ended up dying in a VA hospital. Now, 2 doctors are concerned about my kidneys. My husband and I are very old, crippled, weak, feeble and hurt badly for several reasons. Additionally, I have Dementia. I don't want to go through dialysis if I'm told that's what I need. I'm forgetting things, doing things that could have potentially been dangerous. Dialysis, just to get worse and be a bigger burden to my husband. Am I being stupid or can you see my point?

@kidney777 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Kidney disease and dialysis is often different for each person. We share many similarities, but there are variables. I'm truly sorry your Dad suffered so much.

What are the doctors saying about your kidneys that is concerning to you? And to answer your question, every patient has the right to decline treatment of any condition, whether it be for kidney disease or something else. We cannot be forced.
Ginger

Apparently, doctors think I'm bordering on kidney disease. Nothing has been said about treatment yet. They're doing labs on a regular basis to see if they're getting worse. As of today, they have not said anything about dialysis. But I've got a personality that makes me find out everything I can before I get slapped with a diagnosis. I'm praying my situation won't get worse. But I'm trying to prepare myself in case it does get worse. I've correctly diagnosed several medical problems I have where the doctors said "everything's fine." So I research all I can. You sound very nice and it was so very nice of you to write me.
Jo

@kidney777 If you peruse through the kidney and bladder support group, you will see there are several discussions about chronic kidney disease. One of the important things to understand is the reason for kidney issues. The two main culprits are diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure. Other factors for an underlying cause can be genetic issues, long-term use of certain medications, and life-style choices. If you need some guidance on where to look, here are a couple threads:
Understanding eGFR and kidney disease: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gfr/
Dialysis and questions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dialysis-stories-and-questions/

Of course, there are the websites for general information, including:
National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-basics
and Mayo clinic itself: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521

Thank you. I am a volunteer mentor here on Mayo Clinic Connect. My health concerns include end stage kidney disease, and I am on daily dialysis. Please feel free to post a question in any support thread, and if you mention me @gingerw I'll be sure to see it!
Ginger

Thank you, Ginger,

I have a doctor's appt. later this month and have decided not to worry, not to research, just to let it be until I find out if it's even a problem! Jo

A small growth on my right kidney was discovered accidentally this summer during an ER CT scan for diverticulitis pain. A subsequent CT with contrast, targeting my kidney, found an enhancing 1.1 cm growth that was diagnosed as probable renal cell carcinoma. I’m scheduled for a laparoscopic robot-assisted PN and biopsy the day after Christmas. My age is 77. The surgeon says the growth is the minimum size that they deal with, grows slowly, and probably hasn’t metastasized, so I’ve been trying not to worry about the long term and to just focus on recovering from the procedure. One year ago I unexpectedly had a pacemaker implanted after a complete electrical blockage of my heart. The healing process went well, but I’ve never had abdominal surgery before and have since been diagnosed with paroxysmal afib and put on Eliquis, which I had to quit for this surgery, which they tell me usually bleeds more than a complete removal. Anyway, has anyone had a partial nephrectomy and can tell me about recovery, healing, and regaining core strength? Thank you for your experiences and expertise.

I had two partial nephrectomys about 90 days apart for large tumors. They were two different cancers. First was Sept 2018 and second Jan 2019. I was 62.
The first surgery was easier , I was in my own room the first night after surgery and getting up to use bathroom on my own within that first 12 hr period. I had a drain tube first 24 hrs which was then removed . I had expressed problems with nausea after previous surgery and they addressed that during and after so limited pain and nausea. I was discharged the next evening. Went home with pain medication but only used first day after hour drive home and then the next few nights to sleep better. I climbed stairs at home to get to bedroom slowly but no problems. It was mostly only painful to initally sit up... but after 2 or three days was better. First 2 weeks limited activity, including no lifting for 6 weeks. Core recovery was back to my normal in 3 to 4 wks. But I am not a sports or fitness enthusiast. Biggest factor was fatigue for first few weeks .
It's been almost 5 yrs and no increase in spread etc.
Wishing you well!

Thanks so much for sharing. I’m thinking that for the first few weeks I’ll be happy that most of my volunteer work is still zoomed. I’m so glad you’ve been clear and healthy since the back-to-back procedures. I’m not looking forward to the catheter part, but my nurse friends say the healing of the five slits/holes themselves shouldn’t be bad. Happy new year to you and yours.