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Four Ways to save money on health care
Hi All, Here is a link that was posted in the KCA's facebook page. With rising health costs, it's good to remember that we can control some costs for medical care. http://money.msn.com/investing/post--4-ways-to-save-money-on-health-care?ref=bfv Rae
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We might be back here
After six weeks of intense chemo, it looks like this is not testicular cancer. It didn't work. Mayo finally came back with their pathology review last week and say they think its rcc but can't classify further. We are feeling defeated. No one seems to have a clue. So I don't know if they will treat this as collecting duct…
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This was interesting
http://www.youtube.com/embed/8xPLvYZHFIs?list=PLEyXw_hOMY5Sld8RHgCXpaK4vZUWmQhNK
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Thanksgiving
Tomorrow is a special holiday for all of us Americans (the Canadians celebrated last month). Let us each sit back and think about what we have to be thankful for in the past year whether it is related to RCC or not. Icemantoo
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"Guardedly optimistic"
we got a 3 month reprieve; our visit to the oncologist was encouraging. He explained how cyber radiation works so that the met that appears on the T11 is unchanged or stable. he explained that if and when it wants to grow, the radiation will kill it. Scans were otherwise clean and he, as well as the surgeon were pleasantly…
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Stage 4 with bone mets. Do you have chronic pain? What medications do you take?
My husband was diagnosed at Stage 4 with mets to bones. He had back surgery. A titanium cage to replace a vertebrae, and some plates and screws along 8 other vertebrae. Big surgery. Also eventually had a nephrectomy. Back surgery was March 2012 and nephrectomy January 2013. The last scan showed no metabolic activity with…
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New here looking for support
Hello All, I was diagnosed in May of this year with a pretty large growth in my right kidney (2a I think). The tumor was contained within the kidney no lymph nodes, viens, or anywhere else by the ct scans and pathology post surgery. I was very blessed to have caught it so early. My 3 month scans, chest xrays, blood and…
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Alexandra
Hi All.. I suspect some of you are not paying close attention... either that or you are not speaking up.. Our Dear Alexandra is one sneaky Devil of a gal.. She changes her Avatar pretty often...yesterday was this dancer.. can you say HOT..! Today a Mermaid.. wonder what tomorrow will bring..?? Alex, thanks.. you are…
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Two years out
I was looking forward to my 1.5 year ct scan follow up to my rcc surgery since I've been seeing blood in my urine and wanted to rule out recurrence of my rcc. Ive already had another surgery since my kidney surgery--benign tumors in my neck lymph nodes. And last week, at a routine mammogram and follow up, I was diagnosed…
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Finally saw an Oncologist for advice what to do
After all various recommendations to go get the consultation of an oncologist due to a May 17th removal of a T1a F2 3.4x2.2 clearcell and my first follow up is due on Dec 10 after an ultrasound week prior, with the surgeon......the highly praised oncologist basically swept me out the door and said I have nothing to offer…
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cyst or kidney cancer?
i've been having pain in my lower back so went for MRI. the back pain is when i sit for a spell. it doesn't hurt for me to walk. the mri showed I have a 1.3 cm spot on my kidney. below is what the report said about it. did any of you hear this when you were dx and was lower back pain a symptom? what symptom(s) did u have…
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Have you had a back ache with your cancer?
I have had a deep ache mid back and sometimes on the side. Often I need to lay down or take a med to help with it. I asked the Urologist and he said no, its not from the tumor. Hmm. So I ask my MS neuro and she says NO, its not your MS its your kidney tumor. Anyone have a back ache as a symptom? Jan
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Has anyone had a mass around the Renal artery/vein area?
Hello again~ I only posted 1x as I am new here. I have a 4.2 mass in left kidney but it is in the middle and between(?) the renal artery and vein, so I have to have a radical nephrectomy. The surgeon is going to try and do this laparoscopically, but warned me he may have to do an "open" incision if need be. Seems this…
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Is it worthwhile?
This is a question I really really need to ask. I've been very lucky, I've been NED for 6 years and now for the first time there seems to be something amiss. There are spots on my pancreas. If I didn't have a history of cancer someone woild have said "spot schmots, just forget about them. But post RCC there is a nervous…
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Cyber surgery didn't work
my husband had scans today and the met that received cyber surgery looks larger than before; We have an appointment with the oncologist on Monday but at this point with nothing more showing, I want surgery, not biologic therapies which may be time-limited. although it could be much worse, it is not good. I am so frustrated…
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Infusion Room
Five weeks after my surgery I met with an oncologist, at a local cancer center. I expected this to be a short meeting as I am primarily just in a monitoring mode. My path had come back as Clear cell T1bNxM0. On the advice of many I elected to see a oncologist despite my urologist explaining that my odds of a cure were…
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I wish....
I could deal with the emotional side of this a bit better. Some days I go about my work and life and feel great. Other days I am hit with the most awful depression about having to live my life with all these issues. I just wont plan anything beyond three months. There is no definate 'next year' anymore in case I have a…
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Surgery is booked!!
Hi! I got a phone call this morning. I will be saying good bye to "Arnold" the tumor on Monday, December 2nd. It is the day after my birthday, so I will have to celebrate "lightly". Just wanted to let you guys know! Jojo
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Two complex cysts in my left kidney. Need some input please
Hello crew ! i have been worried about my upcoming MRI and would like to hear from some people who have been through this. bear with me and I'll give you the longer version of the story. 12 years ago i was dealing with severe occasional abdominal pain. ( I sincerely believe I passed several small kidney stones ) I had a…
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multi septated lesion
Hello all, As these things often happen, when undergoing an MRI this week for Spinal Stenosis, the Radiologist noticed a multi septated lesion on my right kidney 5cmx3cmx5.6cm. She suggested an ultrasound immediatley to determine if it was a cystic neoplasm. I live in Ontario Canada where health care is free, which is…
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learning from my mistakes
Hi all, Next Wednesday, I am flying into OKC to have my first scan since surgery, 6 months ago. And by scan, I mean chest x-ray. I also will be having my 2nd bloodwork, that same day. I can only assume the first bloodwork, done at my 6 week post-op visit, was all well and good since I never heard otherwise. In fact, I…
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4 Weeks Post Op: Great 1st Mtg with Oncologist; Learned about a Nomogram; & Decided Against Genetic
Well, it is hard to believe how time flies. I had my radical nephrectomy of my left kidney, for stage 1 Chromophobe RCC on 10/21. I was home three weeks and then back to work. I am 39 yrs. old in Southern AZ. Prior to my nephrectomy, at the urging of many, I contacted an oncologist specializing in kidney cancer at the U of…
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Metastectomy???
does anyone know much about metastectomy? I have been reading recent articles that when dealing with a small amount of mets which can be surgically removed successfully, stage IV survival rates increase drastically. haven't heard it mentioned here and for all I know, I have been reading quackery; my husband is having his…
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Lab Test
Hi All..! Yes we all know the value of Lab Tests, post surgery.. BUT, so far there are no blood tests as an early indicator for Kidney Cancer like there is for some other Cancers. So, on my first Oncology visit at Stanford, one of the assistants told me she wished she would of gotten to me before surgery. She was doing…
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Introduction
This is my first post so I thought it would be best to provide some basic information about myself and my experience with kidney cancer . I am male , 60 years of age. I was diagnosed with stage four Renal Cel Carcinoma in March of 2011 . I had a laproscopic nephrectomy of my left kidney in April of that year after which I…
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How do you know if the votrient stops working?
My hubby has been on votrient almost 4 months and is now not having much of an appetite and more and more diarrhea and occasional low grade fevers. His blood sugars can be fine and then way up. Is there a way to tell if he isn't responding or the votrient has stopped working? Still new and learning this votrient and its so…
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News I didn't want to hear
Well, I am just back from the oncologist after undergoing scan last week and the news is not good. After being on Votrient for a little under 3 months there are new metastatic sites - 9 lesions on my pancreas and 2 on my spleen. I am shell shocked to say the least. I have not yet told anybody the bad news. Off Votrient in…
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Post Full Left Nephrectomy for Chromophobe RCC on 10/21 - doing fine, but fear Recurrence
Hello all! I am 39 and had a rare form of RCC, Chromophobe RCC, Stage 1 in my Left Kidney, and had a full nephrectomy on 10/21. I am doing great, feeling great, and even back to work this week! I know it does NO good to worry about things yet to be, but I have read SO many stories about recurrence after 2, 3, even 7 years.…
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how often do you have your scans?
Hi all!!! Just wanted to ask how often do you get your regular check ups and scans? dad had radical neph in July and got his first scans 3 months later, result was NED (thanking God for that). tumor was 4 cm, stage 3 due to fat invasion, grade 2. Doctor was optimistic that theyy got all the cancer and ordered the next scan…
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What did you do for yourself today?
I should have posted this yesterday. Too much gloom and doom lately. We need to refocus on being kidney cancer survivors. That means we are living! Not lining up to die. Yesterday the temps almost reached 60 here in southern new england. I decided that although my strength is not quite 2/3s of my normal, I was strong…