Gotta say, for me, the hardest part was before the surgery. Scared to death, so many questions, things I think I needed to have control of. Not saying rehab and pain after was nothing but before was harder. Point is... it gets better.
I totally agree with Jennifer. My RTKR was last Friday (five days ago) and I'm now home and convalescing. My husband has been a pure trooper and he deserves a HUGE medal for putting up with me. I'm used to being VERY independent and this surgery makes you completely and totally dependent on those around you for a while. Because I am so dependent, I get cranky. I just make sure to tell him several times per day how much I truly appreciate all he is doing for me, even if I don't show it sometimes.
Pre-surgery was the scariest part for me, too. I was TOTALLY freaked about everything, I'll tell ya, and nothing anyone said made one whit of difference for me. Now that I've been through it, it's not as scary anymore.
Humor helps a TON. I learned to joke with the nurses, with PT, etc., and it makes everything so much easier. I joke with my PT, "You be careful, I've mastered the high kick. If you aren't nice, I'll kick you right in the toenail!"
Look for posts on how to prepare your home for post-surgery. Right now, the most useful things I have on hand are my elevated toilet seat (can get them at Walmart) and a simple, non-stretchy winter scarf I had. I use the scarf as my "leg lifter" which enables me to get in/out of the recliner and such all by myself. I loop the scarf over my foot and then can lift my leg up onto my very high bed by myself with the use of it.
At the hospital, the most used item I had was BABY WIPES. You can use them from head to toe, and they certainly helped me when I needed to "freshen up" after the catheter was removed, etc. I used them to wash my face, as well. It was nice to be able to be "independent" and take care of those needs myself. Every little bit of independence is HUGE.
Hope that helps some!