From My Mind to....

Thoughts and Questions

Some thoughts about the surgery I underwent three weeks ago to ostensibly remove the cancer with which I was diagnosed.

First, confronted with such a diagnosis and having no frame of reference for anything as serious as this happening in my life, I had no idea what questions I should be asking.

Of course, the main questions that occurred to me were will surgery remove all the cancer, and what are my chances for survival? Beyond that, I had nothing. Questions I'm asking now include:

         How long is a normal recovery period? Up to six weeks before my body heals, and I regain my strength. I can attest that after three weeks, I am still pretty weak.

Part of my rehab is walking, which helps me regain strength and guards against pneumonia. The first week I could walk about 5 minutes at a time twice a day. Week two I could manage two ten-minute walks. I managed a 20-minute walk today. No running until after the six-week recovery, and only then if no pain exists.

         Can I travel within the scope of prescribed restrictions? I've noticed I don't travel well in a car for long timeframes (more than an hour) at the three-week point. With full healing, there should be no restrictions for traveling by car, boat or plane. Good to know.

         What happens to the space inside me not that a fist-sized tumor and my right kidney have been removed? Do other organs re-locate to that vacated space? It turns out, no.

Thinking of the adage, Nature abhors a vacuum, I thought some aspect of the organs located in my inside middle region would gravitate toward the opening vacated by those items surgically removed. That is NOT the case. Apparently, scar tissue is forms in this interior area--hence the longish recovery period. My abdomen will continue to be tender and subject to pain doing small tasks that use those mid-section muscles until the scar tissue is fixed.

         How long before I can carry on with routine operations such as getting a massage, or using the hot tub?  Apparently that six-week recovery period covers most things that were taken for granted before surgery.

         How will my eating and drinking habits have to change with only one kidney?  I need to focus on a healthy, balanced diet, staying hydrated, and limit my salt intake. Unfortunately for me, the healthy diet includes a moderate protein intake. I’ll have to change that rather heavy red meat diet I enjoyed in the past, as well as all the other items with protein I like. Processing extra protein can put excessive strain on the remaining kidney.

My other hardship—I suppose hardship is too strong a word—is drinking a lot more water than I’m used to. I’m told water is better for hydrating than sweet iced tea (my fave), soda and juices, all which contain sugars. Going on four weeks since my surgery and the water is growing on me.

I’m certain more questions will occur to me as time passes. But with all that’s happened to me this past five months, I still feel as invincible as ever. I suppose that’s a good thing.