Scared & Worried! :(

kajunnana
kajunnana Member Posts: 17

Hello everyone. Hope all is doing well. I'm going to try and keep my story short. It all started June 16, 2014 when my husband started having pains that folded him over! I brought him to our local ER they did a CT, & bloodwork and saw a kidney stone (2mm) in the right kidney gave him IV fluids pain meds & told us he should not have any problems passing it & return if needed. Well that was a Monday on Wednesday we were back at the local ER, again they gave IV fluids & pain meds, but this time they also gave him morphine, perocet, & lacics. But they could not do a CT because the CT machine was down! So they did an xray and of couse they did not see it! They ER doctor told us if it got to bad to go to another ER which is only 20 mintues away. So Friday night we were back at the ER. This time they did another CT and of course bloodwork & urine sample. And when that ER doctor came in he told my husband that it (the stone) did move a little but you have a mass on your left kidney!!! I liked to lost it, but I kept as calm as I could!! He gave us a name of an urologist and told me to call first thing Monday morning! So we had a HORRIBLE weekend both of our minds running and worrying! So come Monday morning as I was waiting for 9am to get here my phone rings and its our family doctor, she was so upset she was reading my husbands reports and saw that on the Monday when they did the CT there was the mass which is about 1 1/2" it is exophytic mass extending from the lower left pole circumscribed isodense mass involving the inferior aspect and never told us anything, but I told her that we knew because of the ER on Friday. I asked her to please tell me what she thought & she told me that it don't look good! and that she was doing the referral right then a there! So he has an appointment July 15! Its like it will never get here! So I went and got all of his reports & CT's from both ER's and I'm looking through them and looking at the CT scans & praying that nothing is there (as crazy as that sounds) but there it is! As plain as the nose on my face! On the lower left pole of the kidney!! And then I was looking at his blood work... On the Monday - BUN 23.0 mg, A/G ratio 1.0, WBC 12.7 x 10, RBC 4.54 x10, Hgb 13.2gm, Hct 40.1%, MCHC, 32.9 gm, MPV 7.2FL, & there was a trace of blood in his urine. And then on the Friday his WBC in his urine was 5 HPF, RBC in urine 127 HPF, and there was blood a 3+, and his blood work Bun 34.0mg, Creatinine 1.47 mg.

So I have thought the worst & prayed for the best, but what do y'all think? We have prepared ourselves that it is the big "C", and we have explained to our children what was going on and the possibilities if it is not cancer & if it is! I'm just so worried if that makes any since because I said that I have try to prepare for the news (bad).

So if anyone has any suggestions please let me know! 

Thanks

Amy 

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Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    That was me 12 years ago

    Amy,

    That is enough to scare and worry anyone. It sure scared and worried me 12 years ago. At 1 and 1/2 inches the mass is about 4cm and the fancy words mean it is growing on the outside of the Kidney. Make sure that the Urologit you are being referred to specializes in Kidney Cancer (usually one of the younger ones).

    If it is diagnosed as Kidney Cancer they will probably want to do a Nephrectomy or partial Nephrectomy. Not what you wanted to here.

    The good news is that at 4cm even if Cancer his prognosis for a full recovery from the surgery alone and normal life are excellent.

    Keep us posted. From what you tell us so far your husband will be fine.

     

    Icemantoo

  • cheatinlil
    cheatinlil Member Posts: 197
    icemantoo said:

    That was me 12 years ago

    Amy,

    That is enough to scare and worry anyone. It sure scared and worried me 12 years ago. At 1 and 1/2 inches the mass is about 4cm and the fancy words mean it is growing on the outside of the Kidney. Make sure that the Urologit you are being referred to specializes in Kidney Cancer (usually one of the younger ones).

    If it is diagnosed as Kidney Cancer they will probably want to do a Nephrectomy or partial Nephrectomy. Not what you wanted to here.

    The good news is that at 4cm even if Cancer his prognosis for a full recovery from the surgery alone and normal life are excellent.

    Keep us posted. From what you tell us so far your husband will be fine.

     

    Icemantoo

    kajunnana Big Hugs to you!

    kajunnana Big Hugs to you! sorry you are here.  Keep us posted.  I'm new too so I don't have much to share.  You can read my About Me.

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member
    HI Amy.. and welcome..!  You

    HI Amy.. and welcome..!  You are doing the right things.. your hubby is lucky you are so involved..!  The good news is that the growth is small.  The other good news, is that the blood in the Urine can easily be caused by that pesky stone.  The blood in the Urine is not in itself a worry, just a symptom that something is not right.

    You mention CT Scans, I hope they did a full scan of the chest, abdomin and pelvis.  I would expect those other areas to be clean, but worth checking now.  The Creatinine is a tad high, but not terrible, but may be too high to use dye (Contrast) with the scans.  Did he have an IV when the scans were taken..? OK, see the Urologist, see what he or she says.  And perhaps you may wish to do a search for a good Surgeon that specializes in Urologic surgery.  You did not mention where you are, often someone here can give a suggestion on a doctor.

    The waiting to KNOW can be difficult.. feel free to holler at us any time.. We all have been through it, either as a patient or a caregiver..

    Ron

  • kajunnana
    kajunnana Member Posts: 17
    GSRon said:

    HI Amy.. and welcome..!  You

    HI Amy.. and welcome..!  You are doing the right things.. your hubby is lucky you are so involved..!  The good news is that the growth is small.  The other good news, is that the blood in the Urine can easily be caused by that pesky stone.  The blood in the Urine is not in itself a worry, just a symptom that something is not right.

    You mention CT Scans, I hope they did a full scan of the chest, abdomin and pelvis.  I would expect those other areas to be clean, but worth checking now.  The Creatinine is a tad high, but not terrible, but may be too high to use dye (Contrast) with the scans.  Did he have an IV when the scans were taken..? OK, see the Urologist, see what he or she says.  And perhaps you may wish to do a search for a good Surgeon that specializes in Urologic surgery.  You did not mention where you are, often someone here can give a suggestion on a doctor.

    The waiting to KNOW can be difficult.. feel free to holler at us any time.. We all have been through it, either as a patient or a caregiver..

    Ron

    Thank you!

    Thank you! I will keep everyone posted!

    Amy

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    kajunnana said:

    Thank you!

    Thank you! I will keep everyone posted!

    Amy

    Hi Amy,
    So sorry to hear

    Hi Amy,

    So sorry to hear about what you are going through. But you have to a great place for knowledge and support. We are here for you!!

    We have all been there....either first hand, or as a caregiver. Good news is it sounds like your hubby is quite treatable. Try to breathe. They may have to remove the kidney...but that often resolves the situation. They keep a close eye on your hubby after that.

    Hang in there!

    Hugs

    Jojo

  • kajunnana
    kajunnana Member Posts: 17
    Thanks

    Thank you for all your encouraging words. It's great to know that I will have somone to talk to if needed. And I'm sure next week I may need a good talk! It's funny I have tried to prepare myself for the worst (cancer, even though I know it is VERY curable) but yet I am so darn scared! It's like my world has turned upside down again (for the 3rd) time! You see we have one of our daughters (age 14) that was diagnosed at age 7 (after 2 years of testing) with JRA. Next I was in an bus accident in 2011 & I had 1 back surgery and may need another one in my thoracic area. Then we have 1 of our granddaughters (age 5) that was just diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and is fixing to go through brain surgery to have a shunt placed in her brain. I guess I'm sounding like I'm feeling sorry for myself, but I sometimes can't help it!Cry I am just so exhausted both physcial & mentally and sometimes don't know which way to turn!?!?! But thank God I have off durning the summer months from my job (I work for a school board) so I can at least help my daughter, granddaughter, and now Kenneth. And we are going on a little vacation next week & will come back home for Kenneth's doctor's appointment then go back to the beach! Hopefully this will help both me & Kenneth to keep our minds busy!

    Oh we live in Cajun heart of Louisiana- Breaux Bridge! (LOL)

    Again thank you all! I will keep everyone posted!

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    Wow, Amy! It just seems to be

    Wow, Amy! It just seems to be coming at you!! You come on here and talk all you need to talk!! I can imagine that sometimes you feel like the world is weighing heavy on you. And you probably have so many thoughts and fears - but don't want to dump on your hubby as he is also dealing with his own fears.

    Enjoy your beach vacation! I work for a school board too! I am off until August 18th....thank goodness!

    Hugs!

    Jojo

  • kajunnana
    kajunnana Member Posts: 17
    Jojo61 said:

    Wow, Amy! It just seems to be

    Wow, Amy! It just seems to be coming at you!! You come on here and talk all you need to talk!! I can imagine that sometimes you feel like the world is weighing heavy on you. And you probably have so many thoughts and fears - but don't want to dump on your hubby as he is also dealing with his own fears.

    Enjoy your beach vacation! I work for a school board too! I am off until August 18th....thank goodness!

    Hugs!

    Jojo

    Thanks Jojo61! What school

    Thanks Jojo61! What school board you work for? If you don't mind me asking.

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    kajunnana said:

    Thanks

    Thank you for all your encouraging words. It's great to know that I will have somone to talk to if needed. And I'm sure next week I may need a good talk! It's funny I have tried to prepare myself for the worst (cancer, even though I know it is VERY curable) but yet I am so darn scared! It's like my world has turned upside down again (for the 3rd) time! You see we have one of our daughters (age 14) that was diagnosed at age 7 (after 2 years of testing) with JRA. Next I was in an bus accident in 2011 & I had 1 back surgery and may need another one in my thoracic area. Then we have 1 of our granddaughters (age 5) that was just diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and is fixing to go through brain surgery to have a shunt placed in her brain. I guess I'm sounding like I'm feeling sorry for myself, but I sometimes can't help it!Cry I am just so exhausted both physcial & mentally and sometimes don't know which way to turn!?!?! But thank God I have off durning the summer months from my job (I work for a school board) so I can at least help my daughter, granddaughter, and now Kenneth. And we are going on a little vacation next week & will come back home for Kenneth's doctor's appointment then go back to the beach! Hopefully this will help both me & Kenneth to keep our minds busy!

    Oh we live in Cajun heart of Louisiana- Breaux Bridge! (LOL)

    Again thank you all! I will keep everyone posted!

    Wow, Amy, you've been through

    Wow, Amy, you've been through such trials..enough!!

    I agree with the others, you'll get through this alone side your hubby. He is so lucky to have you advocating for him. Does he read the posts here?

    I know when I got my diagnosis, coming here prepared me so well, I never was scared at all. I just didn't like the cost of tests, surgeries etc. Honest.

    Also this was my 2nd robotic, laproscopic surgery and it was not difficult for me at all. I did have the dreaded trapped gas in my shoulder which did cause some pain for a few days, but that was it. I also used a lumbar wrap after surgery and for a few weeks to support the sore abdomen. I put dry ice inside this wrap as it seemed to help with the soreness resulting in less pain meds and eventually none were needed. Now this is MY experience.

    Has your hubby ever had any surgery?

    Keep asking questions, and bring us your concerns. We'll walk this journey alongside you ok hon?

     

    Warm hugs, Jan

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    kajunnana said:

    Thanks Jojo61! What school

    Thanks Jojo61! What school board you work for? If you don't mind me asking.

    Hi Amy,
    I don't mind you

    Hi Amy,

    I don't mind you asking! I live in Canada...Waterloo Board. I am a secretary of a very busy and needy school. Incredibly busy, and trying but very rewarding.

    What type of work do you do? (if you don't mind me asking :)

     

     

  • kajunnana
    kajunnana Member Posts: 17
    Jojo61 said:

    Hi Amy,
    I don't mind you

    Hi Amy,

    I don't mind you asking! I live in Canada...Waterloo Board. I am a secretary of a very busy and needy school. Incredibly busy, and trying but very rewarding.

    What type of work do you do? (if you don't mind me asking :)

     

     

    Jojo61 I do the imaging data

    Jojo61 I do the imaging data for the school board. I was a bus driver before the accident it was a big change but I love my new position even though I miss all my kids from the bus.

  • kajunnana
    kajunnana Member Posts: 17
    Jan4you said:

    Wow, Amy, you've been through

    Wow, Amy, you've been through such trials..enough!!

    I agree with the others, you'll get through this alone side your hubby. He is so lucky to have you advocating for him. Does he read the posts here?

    I know when I got my diagnosis, coming here prepared me so well, I never was scared at all. I just didn't like the cost of tests, surgeries etc. Honest.

    Also this was my 2nd robotic, laproscopic surgery and it was not difficult for me at all. I did have the dreaded trapped gas in my shoulder which did cause some pain for a few days, but that was it. I also used a lumbar wrap after surgery and for a few weeks to support the sore abdomen. I put dry ice inside this wrap as it seemed to help with the soreness resulting in less pain meds and eventually none were needed. Now this is MY experience.

    Has your hubby ever had any surgery?

    Keep asking questions, and bring us your concerns. We'll walk this journey alongside you ok hon?

     

    Warm hugs, Jan

    Jan4you,
    Kenneth has had 2

    Jan4you,

    Kenneth has had 2 surgeries in the past 3 years! That is what I don't understand, how did they not catch this mass before now. He had shoulder sugery in Aug. 2011 then gallbladder surgery Aug. 2012! I have read that it usually grows 1/2 per year?

    Kenneth has read any of the post, we do talk about the what if's.... I feel that this is my "way out" if that makes any since? I do talk to family members and they try to understand but it's not the same as talking to you all that knows exactly what we are going through!

    Amy 

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    kajunnana said:

    Jojo61 I do the imaging data

    Jojo61 I do the imaging data for the school board. I was a bus driver before the accident it was a big change but I love my new position even though I miss all my kids from the bus.

    Wow, you’ve been through so

    Wow, you’ve been through so much. I’m glad you have a vacation coming up to take your minds off things for a while; you certainly deserve it. It’s very scary hearing the word “cancer” or to even think of the word, so no wonder you’re feeling the way you do. But even if worse comes to worst and it is cancer they caught it early so it’s a good thing for those kidney stones. Otherwise he wouldn’t have had the CT scan and it probably would not have been found until it was much bigger. He’s lucky he has you and just hang in there. The surgery is not terrible; my fears of it were worse than the reality. Make sure you find someone who has experience with kidney cancer and surgery! Best of everything to you and your family.

  • aamdsi
    aamdsi Member Posts: 284
    On the way to being better

    Looking back, I think the terror of hearing the words "Cancer" and "kidney surgery" were far worse than the actual surgery and recovery.  At least on this side of it all you know that you are on the "good side" of it all.

    Your Dad is a lucky man having you around!  Hang in there.  It does get better 8-)  Strange to think the stones as a "blessing" but they were/are.

     

    Hugs

  • Tbuck1971
    Tbuck1971 Member Posts: 50
    aamdsi said:

    On the way to being better

    Looking back, I think the terror of hearing the words "Cancer" and "kidney surgery" were far worse than the actual surgery and recovery.  At least on this side of it all you know that you are on the "good side" of it all.

    Your Dad is a lucky man having you around!  Hang in there.  It does get better 8-)  Strange to think the stones as a "blessing" but they were/are.

     

    Hugs

    God Bless and hang in there

    Kajunnana,

     

    I too am new to this forum and I wanted to let you know I also went through a similar discovery of pain, multiple trips to the ER and CT scans that didn't pick up the mass right away.  I visited the ER 3 times in the same week and had a CT scan, no contrast that didnt show anything, then another CT scan night of 3rd trip to ER in a week that showed a 4 CM mass.  Mine also was on a Friday so the weekend was troubling, concerning, and filled with sad thoughts, etc. 

    I want you to know that you came to the right place, so many good folks on this site that can help you with advice, information and supportive encouragement. 

     

    You hang in there and focus on the positives and take to heart that I and I am sure many others will be praying for you and your family!

     

    All the best!

     

    Tom

  • aamdsi
    aamdsi Member Posts: 284
    aamdsi said:

    On the way to being better

    Looking back, I think the terror of hearing the words "Cancer" and "kidney surgery" were far worse than the actual surgery and recovery.  At least on this side of it all you know that you are on the "good side" of it all.

    Your Dad is a lucky man having you around!  Hang in there.  It does get better 8-)  Strange to think the stones as a "blessing" but they were/are.

     

    Hugs

    Ooo I am sorry

    I meant to say your husband is very lucky. I was just talking to my Dad before I came to the site this morning.

  • cjhawk38
    cjhawk38 Member Posts: 44
    kajunnana said:

    Thanks

    Thank you for all your encouraging words. It's great to know that I will have somone to talk to if needed. And I'm sure next week I may need a good talk! It's funny I have tried to prepare myself for the worst (cancer, even though I know it is VERY curable) but yet I am so darn scared! It's like my world has turned upside down again (for the 3rd) time! You see we have one of our daughters (age 14) that was diagnosed at age 7 (after 2 years of testing) with JRA. Next I was in an bus accident in 2011 & I had 1 back surgery and may need another one in my thoracic area. Then we have 1 of our granddaughters (age 5) that was just diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and is fixing to go through brain surgery to have a shunt placed in her brain. I guess I'm sounding like I'm feeling sorry for myself, but I sometimes can't help it!Cry I am just so exhausted both physcial & mentally and sometimes don't know which way to turn!?!?! But thank God I have off durning the summer months from my job (I work for a school board) so I can at least help my daughter, granddaughter, and now Kenneth. And we are going on a little vacation next week & will come back home for Kenneth's doctor's appointment then go back to the beach! Hopefully this will help both me & Kenneth to keep our minds busy!

    Oh we live in Cajun heart of Louisiana- Breaux Bridge! (LOL)

    Again thank you all! I will keep everyone posted!

    Same way I was diagnosed

    I too went to the ER with pain in my left kidney which they think were small kidney stones and ended up having a mass on my right kidney.  I was scared to death the doctor told me it was cancer and cried once I got to the van.  My doctor made me feel at ease and confident it would be ok.  I had robotic surgery for a partial nephrectomy on a Monday, went home on Wednesday and went to a concert at Seaworld on Sunday.  Just remember everyone here heard the C word and we are still here talking to you.

    I also have 2 daughters with spina bifida that have hydrocephalus and are shunted.  Oldest daughter's shunt is 24 years old.  Youngest daughter is 16 and had 3 revisions and placement change in one week due to meningitis 3 years ago.  One thinng that might help you and your daughter to know is that there are only a few nerve endings on the head and my daughter says it doesn't hurt having the shunt placed.

  • kajunnana
    kajunnana Member Posts: 17
    Well today Kenneth did not

    Well today Kenneth did not look to good, you could just see that he wasn't feeling well & something was hurting. He would not go lay down he has to keep busy! In his own words, "I have to keep busy if not my mind keeps running" it breaks my heart to see him like this. But he finally told me that his shoulder was really hurting, and asked for 1 of his pain meds. Frown He must have been really hurting to take one because he does NOT like to take them!

    Finally he went to bed tonight around 9:30 and he has been sleeping pretty good for the last hour & 1/2.

    But on the bright side Kenneth is finally talking to me more about the "what if's" and I keep telling him don't woory about anything I have & will take care of everything. I just hope I can keep that promise!!Undecided

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    kajunnana said:

    Well today Kenneth did not

    Well today Kenneth did not look to good, you could just see that he wasn't feeling well & something was hurting. He would not go lay down he has to keep busy! In his own words, "I have to keep busy if not my mind keeps running" it breaks my heart to see him like this. But he finally told me that his shoulder was really hurting, and asked for 1 of his pain meds. Frown He must have been really hurting to take one because he does NOT like to take them!

    Finally he went to bed tonight around 9:30 and he has been sleeping pretty good for the last hour & 1/2.

    But on the bright side Kenneth is finally talking to me more about the "what if's" and I keep telling him don't woory about anything I have & will take care of everything. I just hope I can keep that promise!!Undecided

    Keep telling yourself

    that as bad as this is, you (Ken), is doing the very best thing for himself and family. Look forward to dealing with this. Keep an upper hand. I am so convinced that we can live through anything the doctors have to do to us. So go get it, heal, live and love. Should anything else happen, your experience makes anything else just a speed bump.

    When I ended up in the ER for similar pain and hematurea, I also hit 2 different ERs'. I had to go back to the first one and insist on being admitted for pain control. They did my surgery 2 days later. So,..if his pain continues, maybe you can get his operation moved up sooner. Worked for me.

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    kajunnana said:

    Well today Kenneth did not

    Well today Kenneth did not look to good, you could just see that he wasn't feeling well & something was hurting. He would not go lay down he has to keep busy! In his own words, "I have to keep busy if not my mind keeps running" it breaks my heart to see him like this. But he finally told me that his shoulder was really hurting, and asked for 1 of his pain meds. Frown He must have been really hurting to take one because he does NOT like to take them!

    Finally he went to bed tonight around 9:30 and he has been sleeping pretty good for the last hour & 1/2.

    But on the bright side Kenneth is finally talking to me more about the "what if's" and I keep telling him don't woory about anything I have & will take care of everything. I just hope I can keep that promise!!Undecided

    Sorry for all that you are

    Sorry for all that you are going through. But you are enduring very well! You keep up that fighting spirit because that will get you through.  Did you have a copy of ct report on you? Did you say the mass was 1 1/2 inches or cm? Because usually the reports give you the size in MM or CM.  Do you have a clarifiation on that?  And I have to tell  you, there have been many cases on here where it turned out NOT to be cancer.  The possibility is there but it can go either way. Try not to worry about anything until you are sure what it is.  And there are many things out there now to treat RCC if it turns out to be so. This is not a death sentence. Is there any possibility that he has a kidney infection due to the stone that he has?  I have seen that also.  Someone had a stone in one kidney and had an infection in both kidneys.  Did they give him antibiotics by any chance?  Did the stone pass yet? A 2 mm stone should be able to pass easily. Drink lots of water and squeeze a lemon into it. Also good for kidney stones is a product that i ordered and use frequently. It is called Kidney Complete. You can do a search for it. When you have pain you take it and it helps the pain and melts the stone. Works fast too.  Hopefully it will be nothing, but if it is the C word and it is small, than more than likely a partial is possible and he will be done.  Praying it goes your way!  

    PS.. i just read rangerk's post.  You see what i mean about maybe it is not cancer? He had two tumors on the kidney and two on glad and they are not cancer.  ;)