New Member

Parallels

Hey, Baw41,

Sounds like we have a lot in common.  I had gallbladder issues back in August of 2014, which sent me on the road to getting an ultrasound where my 2.8cm mass was initially found.  It is crazy how things work out sometimes.  Crazy and lucky.  

I was quoted a 98% chance of no recurrence within 5 years (the 5 year thing, for people as young as we are, is still scary but that's the standard they use) and I have no reason to think that you would see anything different.  

As I'm sure many will echo here, just make sure you are comfortable with the care team.  Make sure they know what they're doing.  I'm not sure where you're located but push for a surgeon with a lot of experience in what they do.  A great surgeon will really help with the recovery process (and also getting clean margins, which is the most important thing).

As I think you already know, it could be a lot worse.  Once you get it out, you'll feel a hell of a lot better.

- Jay 

jason.2835 said:

Parallels

Hey, Baw41,

Sounds like we have a lot in common.  I had gallbladder issues back in August of 2014, which sent me on the road to getting an ultrasound where my 2.8cm mass was initially found.  It is crazy how things work out sometimes.  Crazy and lucky.  

I was quoted a 98% chance of no recurrence within 5 years (the 5 year thing, for people as young as we are, is still scary but that's the standard they use) and I have no reason to think that you would see anything different.  

As I'm sure many will echo here, just make sure you are comfortable with the care team.  Make sure they know what they're doing.  I'm not sure where you're located but push for a surgeon with a lot of experience in what they do.  A great surgeon will really help with the recovery process (and also getting clean margins, which is the most important thing).

As I think you already know, it could be a lot worse.  Once you get it out, you'll feel a hell of a lot better.

- Jay 

Welcome

Baw41,Welcome to the club that no one in their right mind would volunteer to join. I joined 13  1/2 lucky years ago. Baring the unexpected you are scheduled for a full and   complete recovery from the surgery alone. I wish I could tell you that the surgery is painless, but I would be laughed off this board. Every so often the mass turns out benign, but I wouldn't count on that happening.

 

 

Icemantoo

Baw41 said:

Hey foxhd,
They want to

Hey foxhd,

They want to remove the mass through surgery, but feel that some of my pain of my pelvic floor is caused by infection. I do have pain in my left testicle and blood in my urine and semen. I hope removing the mass will fix all my issues.

-Baw41

Wellcome to the board no one

Wellcome to the board no one would voluntier to join! I'm sorry for all you're going through but as you said, thanks you body to let you know something was wrong. I cross my fingers for a benign one but even if it's not, you have a great chance to cure by just nephrectomy. You're young and your body learns how to handle surgery's side effect so soon. A neph isn't a walk in the park but not that bad that many think. I stayed at hospital for two nights and Then came back home, while I had some one with me for unpredicted situations but it went well, we were on a short abroard trip 28 days after the surgery and my friend over there couldn't believe I had neph when I told him during our last night over there. Everybody is different some may heal sooner some not but you will heal for sure, stay positive.Forough

 

 

foroughsh said:

Wellcome to the board no one

Wellcome to the board no one would voluntier to join! I'm sorry for all you're going through but as you said, thanks you body to let you know something was wrong. I cross my fingers for a benign one but even if it's not, you have a great chance to cure by just nephrectomy. You're young and your body learns how to handle surgery's side effect so soon. A neph isn't a walk in the park but not that bad that many think. I stayed at hospital for two nights and Then came back home, while I had some one with me for unpredicted situations but it went well, we were on a short abroard trip 28 days after the surgery and my friend over there couldn't believe I had neph when I told him during our last night over there. Everybody is different some may heal sooner some not but you will heal for sure, stay positive.Forough

 

 

Well, I am so sorry this is

Well, I am so sorry this is happening to you. You are so young too. But that will be to your advantage.

Hopefully, with your tumor so small, you'll be stage one. You'll be monitored for awhile.

And I too live outside of Milwaukee. Mine was done by a wonderful Urologist/surgeon who has two offices

one in Wauwatos and one in Franklin where I live. He does robatic/laproscopic surgery if possible.

Make sure you ask them about robatic surgery option.

I also wore a lumbar velcro wrap to support my abdomen after two surgeries.

I had little to not pain by placing dry ice blocks inside that wrap, but over clothing.

It reduced the swelling.

You'll be okay. BUT I would listen to Fox and make sure your prostate issue is correctly addressed.

Sending you healing vibes. We'll walk this journey along side you if you want us to.

Warmly, Jan

Jojo61 said:

Hi BAW41I am sorry to read

Hi BAW41

I am sorry to read about your news. But am glad you found this forum. There is a wealth of information, support and experience to draw from here. It sounds like you are already getting yourself informed - and according to Dutch you are in good hands.

Believe me, once the surgery is behind you, it will be great. The surgery will be okay. No picnic, but really not that bad. Please let us know about a surgery date, and post here whenever you have a question or concerns, or worries.

Hugs

Jojo

 

Welcome BAW41

As others have stated, not unusual to have symptoms elsewhere.......it's all connected.   Sounds like you have a good team working with you & would imagine your docs will check out your whole urinary tract.  If not, pressure them to do so.  Make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon and his or her capabilities, if not, get a second opinion or third, etc.  I, like many others here, had the robotic version of surgery to remove "Bob the Blob" and luckily only had a partial nephrectomy.  But that is dependant on many factors such as size, location of the mass, etc.  Recovery was still a beast, but like Jan I had a lumbar wrap and that helped immensely!  (wasn't aware of the dry ice thing she mentions, wish I would have known of that)

Keep us posted on progress.  I'll keep you in my prayers.

Donna~

Baw41 said:

Thanks for the welcome

My surgery is scheduled for March 3rd. I'll have a robotic partial nephrectomy. The mass is located at the bottom of my left kidney. The surgeon is confident that the surgery should be straightforward. 

Awesome!

So you have your surgical date, now is the time to prepare as much as possible for your downtime to recover, a couple of weeks or so.  Hopefully you have a support system around you?  If not, you'll need to get some meals prepared in advance, although I wasn't able to eat more than a few bites at any given time.  That's pretty typical since they're moving everything around inside, swelling, etc.  Have plenty of fluids readily accessible.  Also, try to get that lumbar support, really helps when trying to move around and keeps you feeling like it's all going to hold together.  Be prepared that you will feel like you've been hit by a truck, but it certainly beats the alternative.  One more thing that's very helpful, typically they'll give you a device after surgery called an Incentive Spirometer.  (for deep breathing exercises)  I try to advise getting your hands on one before surgery so you can see what you're capable of and therefore that will be your target to work toward after surgery.  As a former Respiratory Therapist, I can tell you that when you have pain, combined with pain meds and the sedation of surgery it's normal to breathe more shallow and this combination can be detremental to your lungs.  Last thing you'll need is a pneumonia setting in.

Ok, stepping off my soapbox now. 

Donna~