Lenny, you may want to try wearing an abdominal binder that you can get at any medical supply store. I had an open partial in June and know the feeling you are experiencing. Its been almost six months for me and I'm still experiencing pain above my incision along with a bulge that gets very hard at times causing a lot of pain. I went back to work after 3 months and still feel unable at times to do all the things I want to do. Wearing the binder does help though. I also understand your feeling about it not being over because it isn't for the rest of your life you need to be vigilant and keep getting catscans and chest xrays on a regular basis. Do you have your grade and stage of the tumor? Another piece of advice is to get all your medical records and results of any scans, xrays including the cd of the actual tests. Get online if you haven't and join the kidney cancer forum here is the link: www.kidneycancer.org
Download the free book Incidental Findings on kidney cancer from this site: http://www.ackc.org/free_book
Please let me know if you need any more help as you are not alone in what you are feeling and sometimes just hearing that someone else is experiencing the same worries or pain helps. Just remember that you are a survivor! Stay strong.

Lenny, I had laproscopic removal of my right kidney 8 yrs ago...but I had 2 previous open surgeries before that (other disorder) and am very fat so I know that pulling feeling. My doctor wouldn't let me wear a binder or belly sling or even a regular girdle! He said that it was important that my tummy muscles heal and relearn how to hold my belly up!
Hah! It didn't "learn" a thing...if I had it to do over I'd listen to vohsmk.
At 5 yrs I was so excited but then found granulomas in my lungs so 2 more yrs watching that w every 3 mos CT scans. That cleared and then at 8 yrs developed pneumonitis and X-rays showed "glass-like shards"...back to CT ev. 3 mos. again. It is weird though, I don't fear the cancer returning...I kind of think it probably will return but then getting cancer in the first place turned into great spiritual growth for me.
I learned what it really is to be powerless and not to be blamed for being sick. I got it that there must be power, powers and Power greater than me, greater than the doctors and greater than cancer. I decided to surrender my will, life and cancer to God and then nothing else mattered anymore. You know how its been said, "Don't sweat the small stuff...and its ALL small stuff!" ? Even cancer in light of the vastness of the universe. Tonight I am grateful to have had cancer. My you have a blessed New Year.

thanks to all for words of inspiration.........
it helps to here from those who have had similar experiences...lenny