21 cm tumor "Newbie just diagnosed 2/27" removed!

cboone75
cboone75 Member Posts: 43
I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or continue on my original post? I started a new one though cause the old one was looking to long.

Anyway here's a little backstory for those who would like to do some reading. I have always been in good shape, exersise regularly and eat well. About a year and a half ago my lower back started hurting on my right side. I thought I did something at the gym cause I was squating and deadlifting a good amount of weight. I ended up going in for an x-ray of my lower back which showed nothing wrong with my back. Don't think they were even considering the kidney. I just chalked it up to lifting to much and figured I'd have lower back problems the rest of my life. From Dec 2010 until recently, I had less and less stamina and strenght in the gym. Then on 2/16/12 I was in the gym and ended up doing something to hurt my ribs. A couple days pass and I was lying in bed trying to pinpoint where the rib pain was coming from and I felt a mass in my abs. This prompted me to visit the drs.

From 2/16/12 when I hurt myself in the gym to when I ended up visting my primary care dr on 2/22. He sent me in for an unltra sound on 2/23. Then an MRI on 2/24. Monday 2/27 I met with my first urologist who told me I had a 20 cm mass on my kidney and he planned to take it out laproscopically and that I could wait until after my 5/5/12 wedding. I got a second opinion on 2/29 from Dr. Libertino at the Lahey Clinic just outside Boston. He saw the need to rush this through and scheduled my first procedure (renal artiral infarction) on 2/6 to kill the tumor/kidney to prevent as much bleeding as possible during the nephrectomy. Also found out that my tumor was 21 cm which is about the size of a football. Had this procedure done (not fun since it gives you flu like symptoms while the tumor is dying.) On 2/16 I had my right nephrectomy done. I have an incision from my belly botton all the up to under my arm pit. The seperated ribs and had to deflate my lung as well.

I just got the test results back and it turns out it was RCC. The good news is, it was all contained in the tumor/kidney. They tested many glands and lymph nodes and they all came back negative. Dr told me I was extremely lucky to have a tumor the size I did and have the cancer contained to the area.

Also, to those who have responded to my before....it appears I will be all set for my upcoming wedding on 5/5/12. I'm up and moving around taking walks and going to the beach with my finance and the dog. Still can't thow the ball for him, but at least I'm walking down there now.

Comments

  • livealive
    livealive Member Posts: 127
    So glad, I was thinking about you
    Simply put, I thought about you several times, was hoping all went well, and avery glad to see you back and you are one lucky guy to have this one contained.
    Please keep us posted.
    Raj.
  • alice124
    alice124 Member Posts: 896 Member
    Terrific news. Now you can
    Terrific news. Now you can enjoy your wedding and not worry about the tumor. Hope your doctor has a followup routine in place to be sure everything continues to go well.
  • cboone75
    cboone75 Member Posts: 43
    alice124 said:

    Terrific news. Now you can
    Terrific news. Now you can enjoy your wedding and not worry about the tumor. Hope your doctor has a followup routine in place to be sure everything continues to go well.

    Follow ups in place.
    I actually go back this Monday then if I recall correctly, it's follow ups every 6 months for the next 5 years.
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    WOW!!!
    cboone,

    I'd been wondering how you were doing too, but 21cm and no mets...incredible! A tumor that size had to be within days of spreading, its a good thing you did not wait, you are blessed, you found the love of your life and now you will get to spend a long time with her. Have you gotten the pathology report yet, type, stage, and grade would be of interest here especially to some of the newbies that struggle with small tumors.

    Glad it worked out for you,

    Gary
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    garym said:

    WOW!!!
    cboone,

    I'd been wondering how you were doing too, but 21cm and no mets...incredible! A tumor that size had to be within days of spreading, its a good thing you did not wait, you are blessed, you found the love of your life and now you will get to spend a long time with her. Have you gotten the pathology report yet, type, stage, and grade would be of interest here especially to some of the newbies that struggle with small tumors.

    Glad it worked out for you,

    Gary

    Wow Wow
    cboone,

    A big, very big accomplishment. Now lets see if you can prove that even with larger tumors a full recovery can be expected.

    Icemantoo
  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476
    garym said:

    WOW!!!
    cboone,

    I'd been wondering how you were doing too, but 21cm and no mets...incredible! A tumor that size had to be within days of spreading, its a good thing you did not wait, you are blessed, you found the love of your life and now you will get to spend a long time with her. Have you gotten the pathology report yet, type, stage, and grade would be of interest here especially to some of the newbies that struggle with small tumors.

    Glad it worked out for you,

    Gary

    Hi Gary
    If I remember correctly our tumors were about the same size,the location of mine was in the upper pole.My question is mine was a grade 2 ,what was the grade of your tumor. Thnx and have a nice day
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member

    Hi Gary
    If I remember correctly our tumors were about the same size,the location of mine was in the upper pole.My question is mine was a grade 2 ,what was the grade of your tumor. Thnx and have a nice day

    wedding
    Good for you! Glad you had it removed. I guess I don't get to stand in and dance with your wife. But then again, I knew if you had it done, you'd be OK and I would have to find something else to do that weekend.
  • Beingbless
    Beingbless Member Posts: 46
    foxhd said:

    wedding
    Good for you! Glad you had it removed. I guess I don't get to stand in and dance with your wife. But then again, I knew if you had it done, you'd be OK and I would have to find something else to do that weekend.

    any treatment?
    Hi Cboone75,
    First of all, glad that everything went so well, and congrats on the coming wedding day.


    If you don't mind, I was wondering do you have any kind of treatment or medication order by the surgeon at this time? I just tried to find out, because my surgeon told me told me everything is negative and the bad kidney has removed, no treatment or any medications are needed, beside follow up check up after 3 months post surgery to do ultra sound and chest x ray.

    Thanks,
  • Beingbless
    Beingbless Member Posts: 46
    foxhd said:

    wedding
    Good for you! Glad you had it removed. I guess I don't get to stand in and dance with your wife. But then again, I knew if you had it done, you'd be OK and I would have to find something else to do that weekend.

    any treatment?
    Hi Cboone75,
    First of all, glad that everything went so well, and congrats on the coming wedding day.


    If you don't mind, I was wondering do you have any kind of treatment or medication order by the surgeon at this time? I just tried to find out, because my surgeon told me told me everything is negative and the bad kidney has removed, no treatment or any medications are needed, beside follow up check up after 3 months post surgery to do ultra sound and chest x ray.

    Thanks,
  • Olsera
    Olsera Member Posts: 38

    any treatment?
    Hi Cboone75,
    First of all, glad that everything went so well, and congrats on the coming wedding day.


    If you don't mind, I was wondering do you have any kind of treatment or medication order by the surgeon at this time? I just tried to find out, because my surgeon told me told me everything is negative and the bad kidney has removed, no treatment or any medications are needed, beside follow up check up after 3 months post surgery to do ultra sound and chest x ray.

    Thanks,

    21 cm
    Hi Cboone75,
    I am glad you are recovering & everything was contained, I too was wondering how things were going for you. Now you can focus on your upcoming wedding & I hope it is a fabulous day for you.
  • MikeK703
    MikeK703 Member Posts: 235
    Great news
    Way to go, cboone! Don't forget to keep us up to date about your follow-ups. And hang around here when you can to give others encouragement. 21 cm is nothing to sneeze at and the new folks worrying about surgery will need to hear your story.
    Regards,
    Mike
  • cboone75
    cboone75 Member Posts: 43
    garym said:

    WOW!!!
    cboone,

    I'd been wondering how you were doing too, but 21cm and no mets...incredible! A tumor that size had to be within days of spreading, its a good thing you did not wait, you are blessed, you found the love of your life and now you will get to spend a long time with her. Have you gotten the pathology report yet, type, stage, and grade would be of interest here especially to some of the newbies that struggle with small tumors.

    Glad it worked out for you,

    Gary

    Type, stage & grade
    I have my next appointment on Monday for some follow up blood work and to meet with the doctor. I'll find out these things and give an update then.
  • cboone75
    cboone75 Member Posts: 43

    any treatment?
    Hi Cboone75,
    First of all, glad that everything went so well, and congrats on the coming wedding day.


    If you don't mind, I was wondering do you have any kind of treatment or medication order by the surgeon at this time? I just tried to find out, because my surgeon told me told me everything is negative and the bad kidney has removed, no treatment or any medications are needed, beside follow up check up after 3 months post surgery to do ultra sound and chest x ray.

    Thanks,

    Beingbless
    So far the only treatment I've been told is that I'll have to go in for follow up scans every 6 months for the next 5 years. I feel like that's a exteremly small tradeoff for not having to go through any other types of treatment. No medications or anything and the dr's said I should be able to resume my normal life as soon as I'm all healed. I am itching for this right now...it's all my fiance can do to keep me from trying to workout. In this process I've gone from 185 lbs down to 158 lbs at my smallest point. Finally starting to eat right again and putting some weight back on.
  • cboone75
    cboone75 Member Posts: 43
    foxhd said:

    wedding
    Good for you! Glad you had it removed. I guess I don't get to stand in and dance with your wife. But then again, I knew if you had it done, you'd be OK and I would have to find something else to do that weekend.

    foxhd
    Hi Fox, if you can make it to Florida for Cinco de Mayo, I'll be sure to save you a dance.
  • Beingbless
    Beingbless Member Posts: 46
    MikeK703 said:

    Great news
    Way to go, cboone! Don't forget to keep us up to date about your follow-ups. And hang around here when you can to give others encouragement. 21 cm is nothing to sneeze at and the new folks worrying about surgery will need to hear your story.
    Regards,
    Mike

    Cboone75- thanks
    Thanks for sharing. It makes me feel much relax now. Do you need any chest x ray in the Next 6 months check up?



    Thanks.
  • Fishknees
    Fishknees Member Posts: 73

    Cboone75- thanks
    Thanks for sharing. It makes me feel much relax now. Do you need any chest x ray in the Next 6 months check up?



    Thanks.

    Congratulations!
    What a wonderful wedding present. I hope you and your mate have a very happy and long marriage.
  • cboone75
    cboone75 Member Posts: 43

    Cboone75- thanks
    Thanks for sharing. It makes me feel much relax now. Do you need any chest x ray in the Next 6 months check up?



    Thanks.

    Beingbless
    The Dr. did say that I will continue to have CT Scans every 6 months for the next 2 years (I thought they said 5 originally) along with chest X-rays. Then after two years it will be once yearly. Overall everything has been very good for me considering I had a football sized tumor removed. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery and I'm already doing almost everything I want to do...except for going to the gym which will take a bit longer.
  • cboone75
    cboone75 Member Posts: 43

    Cboone75- thanks
    Thanks for sharing. It makes me feel much relax now. Do you need any chest x ray in the Next 6 months check up?



    Thanks.

    Beingbless
    The Dr. did say that I will continue to have CT Scans every 6 months for the next 2 years (I thought they said 5 originally) along with chest X-rays. Then after two years it will be once yearly. Overall everything has been very good for me considering I had a football sized tumor removed. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery and I'm already doing almost everything I want to do...except for going to the gym which will take a bit longer.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    cboone75 said:

    Beingbless
    The Dr. did say that I will continue to have CT Scans every 6 months for the next 2 years (I thought they said 5 originally) along with chest X-rays. Then after two years it will be once yearly. Overall everything has been very good for me considering I had a football sized tumor removed. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery and I'm already doing almost everything I want to do...except for going to the gym which will take a bit longer.

    Football tumour
    Chris - it was the size of a football and I'm glad you kicked it when you did.
    You're a very lucky guy in so many ways, with so much to look forward to.
    As a matter of curiosity, do you know how much the departed tissues weighed? How much has the operation changed your bodyweight and measurements?