Date for RPLND

[sldl1106]

Met with Dr. Sheinfeld today. The RPLND is scheduled for August 8th, a Wednesday, and Rob will be the first surgery of the day. The tumor did shrink, although not incredibly. He will not be able to spare the nerves. So I suppose no sparing, no heiring. (Bad joke, but I need some humor here). Also, interesting note, the teratoma has knocked around the kidney enough and is surrounding it enough that Sheinfeld also thinks there's a 50% chance the kidney on the left must come out as well. He won't know till he's there. He said, well, it could be a bunch of necrotic tissue and then we won't have a problem. But if its alive, I may have to do a nephrectomy.

A seven to ten days' stay in the hospital, we were advised about the 5-fat-gram diet, chylous ascites (or as the nurse said, chylous leaks) and the reason no food or drink will be allowed until bowel function has fully returned, and why to continue at home. But I will agree with Maria and others who mentioned that it wasn't STRESSED to us - it was just discussed, and since I was already aware, my ears perked right up.

Anyone else who could not have nuts, popcorn or corn for six months post RPLND? They recommended that as well.

I don't have this weeks AFP number yet; it will be back tomorrow afternoon.

So anything anyone can suggest to get us ready for the event, your comments are of course always welcome.

[Karen]

He will not be able to spare the nerves. So I suppose no sparing, no heiring. (Bad joke, but I need some humor here).

The humor shows you are not defeated. Good for you! Another member here, Don, lost a kidney as well. I can't comment on the RPLND, but I can wish you lucjk and reassure you that you're moving in the right direction and in excellent hands!

[dannysbrother]

Go Rob and Stacy Go!!!

You're almost there.

You can bet Danny and I will swing by Sloan, (if not we're not already there) and see you guys during your stay on York Avenue.

I personally love the apple/cranberry/orange juice dispenser on the 5th floor. All you can drink for FREE! Get crazy and mix juices!!

Rooting for you both,
Michael

[Already Bald]

Anyone else who could not have nuts, popcorn or corn for six months post RPLND? They recommended that as well.

I forgot about the nuts and corn ban. THat is to keep from scraping the bowel up.

I had my RPLND there with Dr. Sheinfeld as well, and the 5 gram of fat diet will be stressed to you before you leave- and I'm SO glad I followed those instructions when I returned home.

Sounds like yours will be a pretty involved surgery- I hope Rob gets to keep his kidney.
I still have some scar tissue on my right kidney from the surgery, but it functions fine.

The good news for you is that Dr. Sheinfeld is one of the very best in the world at this surgery, and all of the support staff are top notch.
Godspeed.

[MRMRSU]

I forgot about the nuts and corn ban. That is to keep from scraping the bowel up.

Hi Joe: Didn't get the warning on the nuts and popcorn...well, didn't really get much of a warning on anything as you know

Hi sweet Stacy: From everything I've read and heard of Dr. Sheinfeld, Rob couldn't possibly be in better hands. I am so very happy that you have a date to set your mind on...even happier to hear that you will get to go on that long-awaited vacation. I know it will be an amazing time for you. Keep your sense of humor up...laughter does wonders. Andy sends his best...you've got a cheering section here in the West coast too!

[dadmo]

If you can get a bed with a bar over the top. It will help Rob when he tries to get out of bed. Everytime he wants to get up have him take a shot of morphine. When you're helping him keep the urine filled bag below his waist otherwise it will rush back in. Don't worry about not having food he won't be hungry. Be ready with the sponge-on-a-stick. When you see him sfter the operation he will have tubes and hoses everywhere, don't worry about it that's normal.

[Margaret]

Go Rob and Stacy Go!!!

You're almost there.

You can bet Danny and I will swing by Sloan, (if not we're not already there) and see you guys during your stay on York Avenue.

I personally love the apple/cranberry/orange juice dispenser on the 5th floor. All you can drink for FREE! Get crazy and mix juices!!

Rooting for you both,
Michael

Ah, the 5th floor juice machine, I remember it well!

Dr. Sheinfeld was also our doctor and he is amazing. You are in great hands. I won't even tell you not to eat or drink, because he won't allow you to anyway...but no cheating on the zero fat once you get home...we will all be keeping tabs on you!!!

You will do great!

[Scott]

If you can get a bed with a bar over the top.

At least you suggested shots of morphine, not scotch.

[sldl1106]

And I was thinking, well, he likes to drink, but aren't they going to give him drugs? LOL. I'll be the one needing the Glenlivet, fellas.

Thanks for those tips... every bit helps me/us prepare. Tonight Rob was wondering to me about what the scar would be like and I suggested he come on here to ask for himself and he said, nah, I don't want to know too much, just what you tell me.

Now what is the difference, I ask you?? And they say women are a mystery...

[MRMRSU]

Tonight Rob was wondering to me about what the scar would be like and I suggested he come on here to ask for himself and he said, nah, I don't want to know too much, just what you tell me.

Talk about a guy trusting his little lady!!!!!

Okay, so about the scar...(Rob, don't read if you don't want to know): The incision starts from just below the sternum, where the rib cage meets, then continues down the stomach, goes AROUND the belly button (Andy's was to the left) and then a few more inches down past that. I know it sounds pretty, huh? But I can tell you that Andy has had no issues with his scar (despite "take two" as we've come to call being re-opened) - and here we are going into our 12th week post-surgery. He didn't experience too much pain at all at the incision site - which really surprised me.

My tip on helping it heal nicely (and free of infection): Keep the incision dry until it closes completely, when the redness starts to fade into a pink...so we never got the stomach wet when we showered. That's not meant to sound kinky I really did have to go into the tub with him with our handheld shower head to bathe him. The poor thing had no free hands 'cuz he had to hold his two drains!!! Oh the things we wives do for our men! Everything is going to be great with Rob's surgery...I can feel it!

[DAWN82]

Go Rob and Stacy Go!!!

You're almost there.

You can bet Danny and I will swing by Sloan, (if not we're not already there) and see you guys during your stay on York Avenue.

I personally love the apple/cranberry/orange juice dispenser on the 5th floor. All you can drink for FREE! Get crazy and mix juices!!

Rooting for you both,
Michael

AHAHAHA!! MICHAEL THAT IS SO TRUE! I LOVE THE CRANBERRY JUICE
ONLY BAD THING IS, THEY TURN THE DISPENSERS OFF AFTER A CERTAIN TIME! REEEAAALLY GOOD COFFEE TOO!

THE 5TH FLOOR IS NICELY DECORATED! WITH GREAT CARPETING! AND WOODEN FLOORS!! LOL