Received news last month. Looking for input...

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  • jrzgrl66
    jrzgrl66 Member Posts: 21
    #22
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    donna_lee said:

    No Speedos for Footstomper

    jz---I skimmed thru the posts.  Sorry you needed to look for us.  For me, it's been 9 years!  And I didn't find this board until 4-5 years ago and by then I'd found answers to most questions the harder way.

    No surgery is a walk in the park; but a lot of recovery can be 1/2 mental attitude and 1/2 what they have to do surgically.  When they said I'd be in 5 days (total nephrectomy with mets to the liver the first time) I made up my mind that I was going home on a certain day, and I did.  I had to have help walking, going to the bathroom, and getting out of the chair....but I got out of the hospital when I wanted.

    The wait for surgery can be agonizing.  Use the time to get mindless tasks done around your home. Get an NCR paper phone message pad-you can tear off the top copy to keep with your notes and still have a record of calls, appointments, etc. Prepare lists, Shop ahead.  Pay bills ahead if you can.  Make your contacts and who to call list.  Solicit a group of friends to bring in meals on a schedule for you and the family (if there is).  Change the sheets the day before you go to the hospital.

    You won't have a 14 1/2 inch incision with 67 staples like I did, but you'll know you had surgery.  And you will get through it.  Of course....because we're tough!!  I won't add the "old broads."

    Keep on coming here.  We are just a fount of advice and nonsense and a few good jokes.  Good Luck.

    Donna

     

    Donna,
    Thank you for your

    Donna,

    Thank you for your uplifting encouragement.  I do have a few ideas stuck in my head and are planning for them to work. Was advised, if all goes as planned, I will be out of hospital next day; be back at work (desk job) in about 2 weeks.

    I do realize I could wake up after surgery and have plans changed but I pray every day it will be as planned. Your right on point about getting as much done at home as possible!! I know I won't be out gardening or mowing the lawn any time soon!  My husband does as much as he can but I also put a lot of work in too. 

    I am so glad I found this site. I has been helpful and comforting.

     

    Thank you again!

  • jrzgrl66
    jrzgrl66 Member Posts: 21
    #23
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    Jan4you said:

    Well glad you found us and

    Well glad you found us and are gaining such good support and information. It helped me alot when I was waiting for my surgery.

    Now I am confused, you and your surgeon prefer OPEN vs robotic laproscopic?

    I have had two laproscopic abdominal surgeries and one open. I much prefer robotic/lap. Much easier for recovery. I hardly need pain meds, but used dry ice placed inside my lumbar wrap which I wore night and day.I wore it home from the hospital. It rather held those recovering muscles, etc together while they healed up.

    I ended up with radical due to where my tumor 4.2cm was inside the kidney. My only regret is I can no longer have NSAIDs and was takng a RX one for another condition.

    Yes, don't rush going back to work. I could not exercise AT ALL (except for walking) for 30 days.

    Stay with us, bring on all your questions and concerns. The folks here are lovely, informative and very supportive.

    Sending you good healing vibes and a gentle hug,

    Jan

    Thank you for the kind words.

    Thank you for the kind words. I think someone else posted they prefered open over robotic. I am scheduled for a partial, laproscopic, robotic procedure. Because of where the tumor is locate (lower lob) and stretching upwards, there is a chance I might need a full removal. They will be doing everything they can to keep as much kidney as possible.

    Thanks for your positive words of encouragment. I am finding this site helpful and very informative.  Everyone here is so nice and I apprciated all taking out the time to send message and the goofing around is great too!!  Smile

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    #24
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    Nana4life said:

    Kidney cancer

    I am 54 years old and I to have recently been diagnosed with renal cancer. I have a tumor on my right kidney that turned out to be cancer. I am waiting to schedule a partial nephrectomy. I am super scared. Please I could use some positive results. I am a nana of 3 beautiful young boys and they need a healthy Nana.

    Scared Nana

     

    Glad you found us, Scared

    Glad you found us, Scared Nana~

    Although it is a shock to find out (mostly accidently) that you have the "C" word.

    But then it helps to define what exactly your fears are and gain more knowledge.

    The other way to get a hold of this news is to figure out what it is that makes you uneasy or scared.

    It is my suggestion to figure out what YOU are in control of and what you aren't.

    Do you know the "Serenity prayer" where you ask for serenity to accept the things you cannot control, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

    I even watched a video of my operation and asked lots of questions here on what to expect, what if feels like and what my prognosis could be. You never know exactly until the pathologist does their report post surgery.

    I heard too that if you had to get cancer, Kidney cancer is most treatable, with surgery, with no chemo, radiation, weight loss etc. The operation is well surgery. I used my lumbar wrap and put the block of dry ice inside where my largest incision was and didn't need any pain pills or very few.

    I have had worst operations in the past. I prefer the robotic, laproscopic incisions as the recovery is easier. But we all get through it.

    ASk away, put out your fears and learn how to find serenity in the process.

    Welcome and remember, we'll help you in any way we can to get through this time.

    Warmly, Jan

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #25
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    Nana4life said:

    Kidney cancer

    I am 54 years old and I to have recently been diagnosed with renal cancer. I have a tumor on my right kidney that turned out to be cancer. I am waiting to schedule a partial nephrectomy. I am super scared. Please I could use some positive results. I am a nana of 3 beautiful young boys and they need a healthy Nana.

    Scared Nana

     

    Don't be scared Nana

    I'm just a 53 year old dad. Cancer is a scary word but these days thats about the scariest thing about it.

    In the beginning everything can be a bit of a blur, but you are in the hands of professionals. 

    You sound, by your name, as a great family woman. Tell your family they will be your greatest support.

    The person who said that partial is good because it means the tumour is probably small is right. Then you'll get the little buggers grade and I'd be willing to bet that that will be small as well.

    I dont want to denigrate your emotion, we've all been scared, and it is a serious condition, but pretty much the worst thing about it is the fear it causes.

    You'll find a whole bunch of people here who have been through it and are ready to support you.

    Good luck

  • jrzgrl66
    jrzgrl66 Member Posts: 21
    #26
    Options
    Nana4life said:

    Kidney cancer

    I am 54 years old and I to have recently been diagnosed with renal cancer. I have a tumor on my right kidney that turned out to be cancer. I am waiting to schedule a partial nephrectomy. I am super scared. Please I could use some positive results. I am a nana of 3 beautiful young boys and they need a healthy Nana.

    Scared Nana

     

    Hi Nana,
    I'm right there with

    Hi Nana,

    I'm right there with you! I have a grandaughter 6 and grandson 4.  They are my WORLD!!  They lived with me for almost all their lives. Now, my daughter is finally on her feet, I'm able to breath and relax, and then I received this news.

    For me, working in the healthcare field has been somewhat helpful. I can always turn to my family dr (whom I work for) with any questions. He also knows 2 nurses from local hospital that used the same dr I am and they said he was great.

    I have my good days (very positive) and my bad days (feeling scared). I am finding this site helpful and comforting. I hope you do too!

    I will keep everyone up to date on my progress and in my prayers.

     

    Ruth

  • aamdsi
    aamdsi Member Posts: 284
    #27
    Options
    Nana4life said:

    Kidney cancer

    I am 54 years old and I to have recently been diagnosed with renal cancer. I have a tumor on my right kidney that turned out to be cancer. I am waiting to schedule a partial nephrectomy. I am super scared. Please I could use some positive results. I am a nana of 3 beautiful young boys and they need a healthy Nana.

    Scared Nana

     

    All will be well!

    I had my open partial at 53 and am a Mimi to a lively nearly 3 yr old girl.  Only hard part was not being able to carry her for a couple months.

    The first month (4-8wks) or so will be rough since you HAVE to take it easy - but you will be able to take walks with them and all.  Tell the boys to brush up on their gentle snuggling techniques so they can use them while you recover.

    We are all here for you!

  • Nana4life
    Nana4life Member Posts: 78 Member
    #28
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    Jan4you said:

    Glad you found us, Scared

    Glad you found us, Scared Nana~

    Although it is a shock to find out (mostly accidently) that you have the "C" word.

    But then it helps to define what exactly your fears are and gain more knowledge.

    The other way to get a hold of this news is to figure out what it is that makes you uneasy or scared.

    It is my suggestion to figure out what YOU are in control of and what you aren't.

    Do you know the "Serenity prayer" where you ask for serenity to accept the things you cannot control, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

    I even watched a video of my operation and asked lots of questions here on what to expect, what if feels like and what my prognosis could be. You never know exactly until the pathologist does their report post surgery.

    I heard too that if you had to get cancer, Kidney cancer is most treatable, with surgery, with no chemo, radiation, weight loss etc. The operation is well surgery. I used my lumbar wrap and put the block of dry ice inside where my largest incision was and didn't need any pain pills or very few.

    I have had worst operations in the past. I prefer the robotic, laproscopic incisions as the recovery is easier. But we all get through it.

    ASk away, put out your fears and learn how to find serenity in the process.

    Welcome and remember, we'll help you in any way we can to get through this time.

    Warmly, Jan

    Thank you so much for the

    Thank you so much for the comfort. I'm just learning how to navigate this sight. I have sooooo many questions. I'm going to try to post them On discussion board the right way

  • brea588
    brea588 Member Posts: 240
    #29
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    Footstomper said:

    Sadly

    I've never looked good in a bikini anyway

    ha ha ha

    just love your posts          made my day lol

  • brea588
    brea588 Member Posts: 240
    #30
    Options
    Nana4life said:

    Kidney cancer

    I am 54 years old and I to have recently been diagnosed with renal cancer. I have a tumor on my right kidney that turned out to be cancer. I am waiting to schedule a partial nephrectomy. I am super scared. Please I could use some positive results. I am a nana of 3 beautiful young boys and they need a healthy Nana.

    Scared Nana

     

    Hi Nana

    My prayers are with you.  Wishing you the best of results from surgery.  My tumor was small 2.5 cm and contained.  Has a laprascopic partial neph almost 2 and 1/2 years ago.  Alll scans clear, just had scan last week.  You will do fine.  How big is your tumor?  

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