Out of the hospital again - minus a kidney and a hernia!

[csziggy]

Wednesday I had my second set of procedures - left kidney removed via hand assisted laparoscopic surgery and mid-line hernia repair. The healing from this compared to the TAVR (trans arterial valve repair) will be much slower. For one thing, I had my first solid food this morning, if half a cup of thin oatmeal counts as solid food.

I have two small incisions on my left and a 6" vertical incision right across my belly button. The big incision is a little sore, but not really painful.

The mass on my kidney was a stage 1 cancer - completely enclosed in the kidney with no signs of spreading. The five year survival rate is 81% and we will do follow up imaging to make sure there is not additional signs of cancer.

The hernia was worse than the doctor thought - couple of loops of intestine were pushed through. Eventually they could have become damaged and blocked which can be very serious. Now instead of my tummy pooching out, it goes way in. I'll have to get used to my new figure!

I came home today and have slept most of the day. Now eating my third meal since the surgery.

Now for the bad news - my sister called after I was out of surgery Wednesday. Mom was in so much pain Tuesday her caretaker took her to the emergency room. The pain was caused by three collapsed or shattered vertebrae. Along with the spine problem, on the X-ray they saw tumors scattered across her body, the worst in her liver. She is now in hospice at home. Since she is a 96 year old woman with worsening Alzheimers, any treatment other than palliative care would just be a cruelty.

[janterry]

1. I'm glad you're okay

So sorry about your Mom, though .

Hospice, as I'm sure you know, is great. They'll be a relief to your sister as well (lots of support). And they'll keep your Mom as comfortable as possible.

[csziggy]

3. Thank you!

We've had several family members in hospice, both in hospital and at home. They have been great every time.

It's such a shock - we thought Mom would live to be 100.

[CatMor]

2. Best wishes to you.

You sound very positive which helps with the healing. Sorry about your mother may her end days be peaceful.

[csziggy]

4. Thank you!

I had a set back Thursday which I think may have been because I was fretting about Mom. I had to put her out of my mind until I got home today.

One blessing is that Mom really does not understand what is happening. My sister who lives closer is fighting to make sure that she gets all the pain relief she needs.

[Solly Mack]

5. Good news and bad news. They seem to go together all too often.

Almost 4 years ago I had a 20% chance of surviving 5 years after my cancer surgery and treatments. I'm still not calling it a win yet.

But your odds - that's wonderful news.

Rest easy and take care of yourself.

I am sorry about your Mom.

[csziggy]

7. Yeah - life is rough sometimes

I remember when you got your diagnosis - glad you're still here and going strong!

My best encouragement is that the surgeon is very confident that there is no spread and optimistic that there will be no recurrence.

Most of the next week I will probably sleep a lot and learn to eat again. I've made it up to an egg for lunch and fish and green beans for dinner!

With a 96 year old Mom you know you will be losing them soon. I was hoping her heart would take her - she has aortic stenosis the same that I had. Her doctor told her she might just not wake up one day and she thought that would be a good way to go. I worry about the pain she may have to suffer with the cancer - but hospice should be able to help with that.

Thank you.

[Solly Mack]

9. I'd rather mine had gone in their sleep. Does seem the better way.

Take your time and build yourself back up. It gets frustrating - the slow road back to food - but it does take getting used to again.

No spread is ideal. I had some spread - Stage 2 - but the odds for the cancer are the same for everyone with cancer in the soft tissue of the mouth. High rate of recurrence is the reason. So far, so good.

Keep us posted!

[ailsagirl]

6. Glad all that is behind you

Now you just concentrate on feeling better.

Third meal since surgery? A very good sign!

[csziggy]

8. Me, too.

It's been a loooooonnnnggg year.

Now I am up to five meals! I took a nap, had an egg for lunch, more naps, just finished dinner.

My immediate plans are a nap, a shower and sleep.

[Kali]

10. wow, that was fast, did I miss the valve repair? I knew about it but not sure if I saw a post post.

(lame, I know) Sorry about your mom, hopefully she will have better pain management with hospice. careful with those green beans! I sure had a stringy batch the other day. after they cooked I fished out at least a bird nest worth of fiber!

[csziggy]

16. The valve replacement was barely noticeable!

Went in at 5:30 AM one morning, left for home the next afternoon at 3. A week later I was out walking, slowly with a walker, but walking.

They wanted to get the kidney as quick as possible since they were pretty certain it was cancerous, so a month after the valve replacement, I stopped taking the Plavix and a week later was the surgery. This was much rougher and will have a much longer healing period - they do not want me starting physical therapy until after the first of the year.

The beans were a steam in bag batch - little tiny pieces, so if there were strings they will be so short they won't be a problem.

[localroger]

11. Good on ya, but so sorry about your Mom

Do what you can for yourself and for her.

[a kennedy]

12. Oh my, youve been through hell.......

So sorry for you and your mother. I hope you manage to have some joy in your life very very soon.

[csziggy]

17. Driving home today with beautiful weather was a joy!

I've learned to take life as it comes and enjoy as much as possible.

This was my thirteenth major operation since 2001. I'm experienced at the ups and downs and have learned to be cheerful and deal with everything.

[a kennedy]

18. I love your positivity

I should be as thankful as you.

[blueinredohio]

13. Hope you heal fast without too much pain and sorry to hear about yout

mother. We are also doing palliative care for my mother who is 88. Good luck!

[applegrove]

14. Glad you are fine. Vibes to you on your mom.

[sl8]

15. Holy cow! You don't mess around.

Hope you feel better soon.

[UTUSN]

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