New Normal

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aschellenberg
aschellenberg Member Posts: 1
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hi everyone - so grateful to have found this site. Have been reading and learning and trying to adjust to new normal.

Diagnosed on July 16th - radical nephrectomy on August 4th.  Stage 3 / Grade 3 RCC.  Surgery went really well - surgeons feel they got all of the cancer. I am grateful to be back to work, exercising, living.  Was evaluated for a couple of clinical studies - however no match.  

First post operative scans are scheduled for next week.  Scheduled to be scanned every 3 months for next couple of years.  

Each doctor I see begins with a similar statement of how "highly agressive and recurring" RCC is....and of course I've seen the statistics, etc.

I guess I am wondering how others approach this "new normal"... I still feel a little numb by the whole ordeal - trying to determine what, if any, impact this should have on me moving forward.  I hope this makes sense...

Thank you for reading and for any input, guidance, advice you may have...

Amy

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
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    What a lousy place for us to meet

    Amy,

    Sounds like we all felt when we heard the word Cancer and than they want to yank out your kidney. My neph was 14 years ago although only Stage 1 Grade 2. As you will read from others many here have done very well even with Stage 3, Grade 3 or worse.  Fiill in your bio under my CSN Space and we will help you as best we can.

    Icemantoo

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    edited October 2016 #3
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    Stats

    ignore them. They're all out of date. In fact ignore pretty much anything you find on the internet. It's either crazy or out of date or both 

  • mrou50
    mrou50 Member Posts: 389 Member
    edited October 2016 #4
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    New Normal

    Sorry to hear you had to join us, but welcome anyway.  I am a Stage IV RCC and so my new normal changes frequently based on each 3 month CT Scan.  The biggest thing I can say is, as Footstomper said, avoid all internet information most of it is useless.  Find an Oncology team you trust and listen to them.  This next one is tough but try not worry to much, go on living your life and don't worry about what could happen.  Try to keep youself busy, and make sure you spend as much quality time with the people you love and that give you strength.  Good luck

     

    Mark

  • LauraM3
    LauraM3 Member Posts: 27
    #5
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    mrou50 said:

    New Normal

    Sorry to hear you had to join us, but welcome anyway.  I am a Stage IV RCC and so my new normal changes frequently based on each 3 month CT Scan.  The biggest thing I can say is, as Footstomper said, avoid all internet information most of it is useless.  Find an Oncology team you trust and listen to them.  This next one is tough but try not worry to much, go on living your life and don't worry about what could happen.  Try to keep youself busy, and make sure you spend as much quality time with the people you love and that give you strength.  Good luck

     

    Mark

    Great Advice

    I am learning my new normal resets with the newest scan.  Stage IV RCC - Ignore the internet.  Data is outdated and not accurate.  Don't live your life based on your stage either.  Great advice from Mark and others.

  • foroughsh
    foroughsh Member Posts: 779 Member
    #6
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    My surgery was 2 years ago,

    My surgery was 2 years ago, 10 cm tumor, stage 2, grade 2

    I adopted to this 'new normal" with a bit difficulty. I passed months of crying, disappointment and disbelief. But life goes on and you'll be back to your "almost normal" life sooner or later.

    It's good to make yourself busy by doing something you 've always loved but had not enough time to follow your dream. Don't hide your emotions and feelings, talk about what makes you worried or what freaks you out with someone whom you trust and is a good listener and companion. Give yourself a priority for a while and don't put any more pressure on yourself, both physically and emotionally. Join this board or others and share your feelings with other members with same experience and rich out for help. Go to gym, dance, read jokes, watch comics and do whatever makes you feel sharp and don't forget to have fun.

    I DO know it's easier said than done but do your best not to worry

    We're always here for you if you want to.

    Forough

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #7
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    great topic

    We've discussed this "new normal" quite a bit. Getting "it" is half the battle. When you can identify and deal with the changes, you'll do ok.

  • rk220
    rk220 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2016 #8
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    Good luck and God bless

    My surgery was 4 weeks ego. I recovered well and doing a normal life after right kidney removal. We should get strength from god or from our self. We will not live happy if start scared of things which we dont know. Smile the movement we getup in the morning because we are still alive :). Always smile every time see friends or family members. Just big smile on face makes life is easier than before the problem. In the mean time I will be visiting a Oncoloy doctor in a 2 weeks

    My request to everyone please smile always just smile Smile

  • Teashea
    Teashea Member Posts: 89 Member
    edited October 2016 #9
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    Hi Amy

    Best wishes. My mets were missed with ultrasound. Hoping the Dr is giving you cat scans instead of ultrasound. This has to be taken one day at a time. Best wishes and God bless.

  • GailN
    GailN Member Posts: 14 Member
    edited October 2016 #10
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    Stage 3 grade 4

    I am also stage 3 but grade 4 rather than 3. My surgery was almost 5 years ago and have not experienced a recurrence to date. Make sure you receive CT scans rather then ultrasounds for regular surveillance as you need to  be monitored closely.  All the best.

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