Post RPLND Side Effects

[Lori]

My husband had his RPLND on Nov 16th (3 weeks ago). He is up and about and walking every day and I do see daily improvement. But, he is still very tired and his left leg is in constant pain.

How long did it take for you guys to get your energy back?
Did anyone else have the leg problem?

We see the surgeon for follow up next week, but just trying to get a gauge of what is normal and where I should be pushing him (not sure if the tiredness is surgery related or mental fatigue).

Thanks!

[Fish]

Hi Lori:

The RPLND alone is stressful to the body, and your husband's been through a lot more. It took about 3 months after my RPLND until I felt back to normal. In 2004, I had the RPLND incision re-opened to repair multiple tears (hernias) along the incision line, 3 month later I had an open gall bladder removal. I didn't feel fully recovered until about 6 months after the gall bladder surgery. I don't remember if you mentioned your husband's age. Younger guys generally recover strength and stamina sooner.

So, basically, I wouldn't worry too much if it takes a few months to completely recover.

I didn't have leg pain from surgery, but do have it from a herniated disc. Your husband's could be totally unrelated to the TC and treatment, although peripheral neuropathy can occur after chemo. Definitely mention it at the appointment.

Best wishes,

Jim

[timothye]

HI, well i am on my 6- or 7th week after the RPNLD .
I get very tired easily . i started back to work last thrusday and i am so tired after about 3 hours of work .. as for the leg problem , NO i havent experienced that ..
just generally tired bothe mentally & physically - It was a long 5½ months for me from being diagnosed to after the rpnld ..
Hope that helps :S

Cheers T

[Mom]

Lori, your husband has a long way to go before he is back to his pre-cancer days. Even though my husband had his RPLND in 1980 and was 35 and physically fit at the time, it took him 6 months to recover. He did not have chemo. You have had quite a journey, just give it a little more time. Hopefully, this time next year you will be posting that he is climbing Mt. Everest! (not that he hasn't already) Dianne

[Lori]

Thanks everyone. Feel better about the tiredness issue and will talk with the surgeon about the leg.

P.S. Sometimes I do feel like we've already climbed Mt Everest but without the beautiful views

[Already Bald]

It took me about three months to really say that I felt recovered from the RPLND. I didn't have leg pain, but terrible lower back pain. I walked every day while I was in the hospital, and more at home- but I was always hunched over in pain. Sheinfeld had me on 5 grams of fat per day for three weeks after, so a good effect was I lost about 15 lbs. (Should lose 10 more).
I was borderline high blood pressure going in, and now my BP is great- it might be lower these days from the chemo...

Three weeks out was still a pretty tender time in recovery. I went to an amusement park about five weeks out weeks, and stupidly I went on one of those kiddie rides with my three year old. I had to ask the attendent to stop the ride so DADDY could get off! I threw up.
So Lori, your husband will get there, it will just take time.
I would tell the surgeon about the leg pain, maybe they can treat it.

[Lori]

Already bald,

I was reading my husband your note and he had to grab onto a pillow to shield his stomach from his laughter...we both had a great laugh visualizing your amusement park ride! Thanks for sharing and I'm hoping your not offended that we laughed.

Hope all is going well with the chemo treatments.

Lori

[Already Bald]

Lori,
No offense taken what-so-ever! I'm just glad you and he were able to share a laugh- it sure beats crying.
I think he is through the worst of RPLND recovery at three weeks out, just keep taking those stool softeners.
My wife had a tumor removed from right abdomen in August, and she has experienced a numbness and tingling sensation going down her leg. they knew going in there was going to be certain nerve damage in her case- however this sensation is treatable. She never referred to it as pain though- I'm sure he has his own experience..
PM me if he wants to talk.
Joe