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Hats off to Faye.
Today it is close to 80 degrees here in Michigan. Not bad for the last day of Winter/first day of spring, Anyway I took Piper for her walk and she wanted to play with Ernie across the street. I always knew that Ernie's human mother, Faye was a Kidney Cancer survivor, but never really talked in detail about it until today.…
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The Latest on the Vascular Invasion Question
As I posted last week, I sent an email to my urologist about the vascular invasion question that was discussed in an earlier posting. He returned to the office today and got back to me immediately. Kudos to him for that. Below is his response to my question about vascular invasion and tumor necrosis. QUOTE "The prognosis…
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Hello, Recent Nephrectomy Patient for RCC
Hello, Thought I'd join up and read about the journeys that others with similar situations to my own have taken. Honestly, I guess I'm hoping to see and hear from long time survivors who've had renal cell carcinoma like mine. A little background on me- in November of last year, my Nana (grandmother who raised me) was…
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Thoughts solicited on Thought for the Day -
Guys, I met a pastor this morning (no, I haven't crossed over - not yet), but he made a statement which resounded with my experience. This has nothing to do with religion, but you may choose to see it that way, if you wish to. Many of us read so many things, inspiring quotes, stories, not necessarily cancer related. He…
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Chemo sensitivity testing
Education please. The name of Suzanne Somers means nothing to me but this piece of hers interested me and I'd like to know what anyone here thinks about the topic. Chemosensitivity Tests – Why Does Big Pharma Know About Them and WE Don’t? By Suzanne Somers10/30/2009 3:30:00 PM…
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St. Paddy's day
Paddy, Sean and Seamus were staggering their way home from a night of tossing back a few Guiness.Anyway, they stumble upon a few old stone markers on the side of the road. Paddy says," Aye,this here fellow lived to the ripe old age of 88. His name is O'grady". Sean States, " And this fellow was 91, O'Toole he was called."…
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CT with Contrast. Info Needed.
My urologist had told me that the time would come when I would need a CT scan with contrast but I wasn’t expecting that time for another six months. My GP is suggesting a CT scan with contrast for an issue not necessarily related to my kidney cancer. He has advised me of the risks to my remaining kidney, risks I was…
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Dr.'s willingness to wait???
Just got a call from the office of John's oncologist. Assistant said she had submitted John's name to insurance company for clinical trial (MDX plus TKI drug) for approval but were told "it would be put under review" and decision made within 45 days. She explained he couldn't be screened for trial until approved by…
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My thought for the day...
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to Leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.' Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know..' 'You don't know? You're, a Christian man, and don't know what's on the other side?' The doctor was holding the handle…
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Get copies of all scans, all lab work, everything!
I know for you tenured members on this group, this is a no-brainer. But--for the newbies--let me stress the importance of getting all of your medical records. You'll need them if you want a second opinion plus there is no way your doctor knows everything on your records. Believe me. My husband's doctor -- Dr. Hammers -- is…
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anniversary
I had my nephrectomy one year ago today. Awesome. It brings to mind how often I have read here that new treatments are always being developed and to keep up hope. Had I not been fortunate enough to be offered my MDX trial, ( definitely a new treatment. And one I didn't know existed) I may not be here to write this. So for…
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Disappointing HDIL2 News; MDX 1106 with Sutent/Votrient Clinical Trial may be next step
John (and I) met with Dr. Hammers today after John's scan to see if the HDIL2 had been successful. He said the scan reflected a mixed response, with most of his lung mets showing some growth, but one met showing a slight reduction. So--bottom line--no more HDIL2. As way of history, John had received 14 doses in the first…
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http://youfearless.com/
http://youfearless.com/
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I am a Survior!
Hi all- just wanted to give a quick update- First I am feeling great! Each day things get a little easier, I finally made it home (I had been staying at my moms) and finally fealing like my life is getting back to normal. I got my pathology results yesterday and I am cancer free- stage was pT1a, 2.3cm tumor with no renal…
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Second Cycle of Nexavar
Each day is a new day! Votrient was not a drug tolerable for me, and I really wanted to take it, as is new and seems to work for many. After two cycles, Doc stopped it as side effects were off the chart. Two weeks later started Nexavar,after 15 days, more side effects. Doctor stopped the drug for a week, side effects gone,…
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After 2 months something else discovered
In January I had a partial Nephrectomy, and it was discovered I had stage 1, grade 2 chromophobe cancer. All margins were negative, and I started to believe I would be done with this until 6 months from now. I have been having pain and swelling in my neck and my pcp advised it would be best get an ultrasound. I went last…
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Anyone ever have false positive on scan?
My mom has been diagnosed with a 4.3 cm tumor on her kidney. Also two nodes seem to have faint foci and are a little enlarged. They noted it was positive though on the report. I am wondering if anyone ever had this happen and then find they were just inflamed. She has been having a bad uti for over a month now and on…
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Sutent and High Blood Pressure
I have been on Sutent for 6 months. I take 37.5 mg for two weeks and then I am off one week. I have been on some type of blood pressure medicine for the past 30 years. I have been taking Toprol 50 mg and Norvasc 5 mg since my surgery (complete nephrectomy of right kidney in July 2011) and my blood pressure has been…
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Monograms nomograms
http://nomogram.org/ http://labs.fccc.edu/nomograms/ http://nomograms.mskcc.org/Renal/PostSurgery.aspx http://lifemath.net/cancer/renalcell/outcome/index.php Does anyone know how accurate this stuff is ? I am told it works well for the population as a blunt tool, but for rare outliers does not provide meaningful use ?
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Radiation MRI vs CT vs ultrasound
If CT is too much radiation can they do MRI ? I hear ultrasounds are not as confirming. Any facts ?
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Vitamins supplements
Guys anything concrete on this ? Should we take a multivitamin ? I am hearing mixed things but a dietician tells me to take 1 with most vitamins 100% and no more. What about protein supplements ?
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My Mother is scheduled to have her Kidney removed
Hi everyone, My mother (age70) is scheduled to have her left kidney removed along with the tube that goes from the kidney to the bladder and maybe (Dr.'s not sure yet) a small part of her bladder where the tube (sorry don't know it name) joins it. She had been having blood in her urine for the past 6 months on and off and…
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Open Nephrectomy pain after 80 days
I am into the third month of recovery from the big slice. I feel like this surgery has changed my life. For the worse. I have been online almost weekly trying to find out about this thing that has happened to my body. Symptoms of "other than" kidney issues plague me. There is NOTHING out there except stories from others…
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Vitamix
Well, I've taken the plunge and ordered a Vitamix. There's no way in the world that I am going to eat my veggies. I know that for a fact. I am hoping that making a drink out of them, so I can chug-a-lug it and get it over with, may be the answer. So if anybody has any recipes that might work for, say, a 10-year-old who…
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What's the truth ? It's all so confusing. Between Covers, an Anticancer Infomercial - An Illusion of
Interesting, what does one believe ? An illusion of control ? http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/health/07book.html?_r=1 By ABIGAIL ZUGER, M.D Published: October 6, 2008 NY Times The famous name and the impeccable scientific credentials don’t hurt, but David Servan-Schreiber’s “Anticancer” rides mostly on the sincerity of…
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Found blood in urine at 3rd week post laposcopic Radical nephrectomy
Hi guys, I am from Michigan, and i just joined this forum couple days ago when i accidentally found the link, this forum has provided me lot of information and very helpful and encourage. Just some background, I went through a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy surgery about three week ago, to remove 5cm stage 1 grade 2…
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E-patient Dave
I realize this is almost a year old and probably old news for most of you. But in case you've missed this Ted Talk, you may find it interesting. I find e-patient Dave inspiring not only as a survivor of Stage 4 kidney cancer but for all he's done for patient advocacy.…
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Forks Over Knives and Dr. David Servan-Schreiber
I just wanted to say thanks to whomever gave out the information about the Forks Over Knives documentary. I can't remember who started that conversation. (Sorry.) That DVD was awesome and very eye opening. I recommend it to anyone who has or has had cancer or for anyone who cares for someone who does. It really gave me a…
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Drug Therapies
I have just been diagnosed with a 3cm tumor on my left kidney. My problem is back in 2009 I had a partial nephrectomy on my right kidney, and I have CKD my gfr is at 21 and creatine is 3.5. Because of this surgery is out of the question. My nephrologist has told me there are several drugs that are used to treat kidney…
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Tumor and complex cyst benign
I am 6 months post surgery from my second surgery. I was told after my first open partial nephrectomy that the complex cyst was benign. I recovered for 8 weeks then had laproscopic partial nephrectomy on my left kidney to remove a tumor. It came back benign also. I was told before both surgeries that I had a 98% chance of…