Home care after surgery

Here’s what to do at home after surgery for kidney cancer:

• Take your medicines exactly as directed. Use your pain medicine as needed so you can be up and moving around. Don't stay in bed.

• You might be advised to wear compression stockings. This will help the blood in your legs circulate and prevent blood clots.

• Do the coughing and deep breathing exercises you were taught in the hospital.

• Ask your health care provider when it's okay to take a shower after surgery. Ask a friend or family member to stay close by in case you need help. Don’t use a bathtub or hot tub or swim until your health care provider says it’s okay.

• Keep your cut (incision) clean and dry. Cover it with a dry, clean bandage as directed. Wash your incision gently with mild soap and warm water. Pat it dry. Don’t scrub it. Follow your surgeon's instructions on how to change the dressing. Before changing your bandage, wash your hands with soap and clean, running (warm or cold) water.

• Check your temperature every day for a week after your surgery.

• Don’t worry if you feel more tired than normal. Feeling tired and weak are common for a few weeks after surgery. Listen to your body. If an activity causes pain, stop.

• Limit your activity to short walks if your provider says it's okay. Plan rest breaks so you don't have shortness of breath. Slowly increase your activity as you feel able.

• Don't do any strenuous activities. This includes mowing the lawn, using a vacuum cleaner, or playing sports.

• Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 4 weeks  .

• Don’t drive until you are free of pain and no longer taking prescription pain medicine. This may take 2 to 4 weeks.

• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

• Take steps to prevent constipation. Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day unless your provider tells you to limit fluids. Use a laxative or a mild stool softener if your provider says it’s okay.

Home care after chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy

After chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy, you’ll need to prevent and ease mouth sores, eat well, and try to prevent infections. Here’s what to do at home after treatment for kidney cancer:

Preventing infection

• Check your temperature every day for a week after your surgery.

• Wash your hands often with soap and clean, running water.

• Stay away from people who are sick.

Mouth care

• Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue with a soft-bristle toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime.

• Don’t use dental floss if your platelet count is low. Your health care provider will tell you if this is the case.

• Use a soft, oral swab or extra soft toothbrush if your gums bleed during regular brushing.

• Don’t use alcohol-based mouthwashes. (They may cause oral dryness and pain if your mouth is irritated or has sores.)

• Use salt and baking soda to clean your mouth. Follow the mixture your health care team provides. An example is to mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Swish and spit as often as you like to keep your mouth moist and clean. Rinse with plain water after.

• Let your provider know if your mouth or throat is sore.

• Check your mouth and tongue for white patches. This may be a sign of a fungal or yeast infection. This is a common side effect of chemo. Tell your provider about these patches. You may need medicine to help you fight a fungal infection.

Nutrition

• Follow the diet your provider talked to you about. Here are some tips:

  • Choose bland foods with little taste or smell if you are reacting strongly to food.

  • Eat small meals several times a day.

  • Be sure to cook all food thoroughly. This kills bacteria and helps prevent infection.

  • Eat foods that are cool and soft. They are less likely to cause mouth, throat, and stomach irritation.

  • Stock up on easy-to-make foods.

  • Eat foods high in protein and calories.

  • Drink plenty of water and other fluids, unless your provider advises something else.

  • Ask your provider before taking any vitamins, herbs, or other supplements.

Other tips

• Try to exercise. Exercise keeps you strong and keeps your heart and lungs active. Walk as much as you feel able.

• Get plenty of rest. Tell your team if you're having trouble sleeping.

• Use anti-nausea medicines as instructed. Don't wait until you start vomiting.

• Keep your skin clean. During treatment your body can’t fight germs very well.

  • Take short baths or showers with warm water. Don't use very hot or cold water.

  • Use moisturizing soap. Treatment can make your skin dry.

  • Use lotion without alcohol or fragrance and lip balm a few times a day to help ease dry skin.

  • Tell your provider about skin rashes or wounds that don't heal. Treatment may be needed to help prevent infection.

Home care after radiation therapy

After radiation therapy, you’ll need to take extra care of your skin in the area that's treated. Here’s what to do at home after radiation therapy for kidney cancer:

• Don’t scrub or use soap on the treated area of your skin.

• Ask your health care team which lotion to use.

• Keep the treated area out of the sun. Ask your care team if you can use a sunscreen.

• Don’t remove ink marks unless your radiation therapist says it’s okay. Don’t scrub or use soap on the marks when you wash. Let water run over them and pat them dry.

• Protect your skin from heat or cold. Don't use hot tubs, saunas, heating pads, or ice packs.

• Wear soft, loose clothing to prevent rubbing your skin.

• Don’t be surprised if your treatment causes skin color changes, itching, dryness, swollen skin, burns, or a moist reaction (wet, sore, and infected areas). Ask your care team what to do and how to protect your skin.

• Be prepared for nausea and vomiting. Make sure you have medicines to treat nausea right away.

• Watch for changes in your bowel movements. Let your team know about diarrhea or constipation.

When to call your health care provider

During your treatment period, call your health care team right away if you have:

• A fever of  100.4°F ( 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• Chills.

• Signs of infection around an incision (redness, drainage, warmth, pain).

• An incision that opens up or pulls apart.

• Unusual bleeding or bruising.

• Shortness of breath, especially at rest.

• Pain that gets worse or isn't controlled with your pain medicines.

• Less urine.

• Blood in your urine.

• Cloudy or bad-smelling urine.

• Pain or burning when you pass urine.

• A fast, irregular heartbeat.

• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.

• A constant feeling of being cold.

• New redness, pain, swelling, or warmth in your leg or arm.

• Chest pain.

• Ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

• Headaches or vision changes.

Ask about all side effects or problems you should watch for. Ask what you should do if they happen.

You can often do things to control or even prevent treatment side effects. Most of them get better over time as you heal and recover.