Very scared

CarlosRosado
CarlosRosado Member Posts: 88 Member

as many of you, I found a mass in my left kidney (4.6 cm) during a rutine checkup for my liver.  Waiting for a CT scan but am I very scared already.

No symptons , just occasionally  pain in my right shoulder and right shoulder plate . Not sure is this is related

 

help

 

 

Comments

  • CarlosRosado
    CarlosRosado Member Posts: 88 Member
    I forgot to mention that I am
    I forgot to mention that I am 40 year old. Relatively healthy. All blood work good
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    Welcome

    Carlos,

    Get the CT scan. It will better measure and define the mass. Make sure you are seeing a Urologist who specializes in Kidney Cancer. At 4.6 cm they will probably recommend surgery. I was in the process of being diagnosed 15 and 1/2 years ago. We were all scared in the begining. Take a deep breath and you will have another 40 years to look forward to.

     

    Icemantoo

  • Tapman63
    Tapman63 Member Posts: 137 Member
    edited December 2017 #4
    Right There With You...

    Same here. Newly diagnosed.  Freaking out a bit.  But you're in the right place.  Just reading the posts has made me feel better (until my  mind goes crazy and I have to return here to read again and be brought down to earth).  The best thing I've learned so far is that all of this is normal.  Here's to both of us getting through this obstical like the other folks here and being able to help others that are scared for the next few years!

    Good luck!

  • Trucker1
    Trucker1 Member Posts: 82
    edited December 2017 #5
    40 as well

    I had a kidney stone and found the mass..Kidney stone probably saved my life.You will go multiple test and blood draws and they will decide what kind of surgery you will get.My mass was actually a little smaller once it was oit of me..Being that you are 40 you should ask about genetic testing and have it done. Like ice man said breath, get your body in the best shape you can for surgery that will help with healing.Don't read to much Doctor Google mostly old info. The waiting is the hardest part..Best of luck and cheers to many more years!!!

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    Hi. You are lucky they found

    Hi. You are lucky they found it. I know all too well this is difficult, but you will get through it. CT scans with dye show tumors clearly so you will def have more answers after it is done. When they found mine I was told it had to come out anyway. Even if they aren't 100% sure what it is, they treat it as cancer until proven otherwise. I wish you all the best!! Glad you found us.Oh and I was 38 when the tumor was found. Never smoked. Rarely drank. Always exercising and active ;-)

  • kiwi68
    kiwi68 Member Posts: 110
    Welcome

    Hi, welcome, it is kind of a shock. You will feel lots of different emotions, feel free. Try not to obsess over what can't be changed. Tumour has been found and most likely will need to come out.   Do know that this is likley to be straight forward in the way it is treated, the number one good thing about a tumour of the kidney that is of this size is that it is cured by the surgery.  Maybe further scans.   That is as far as you need to think for right now.   

    People here can explain the options, the types of surgery, the recovery process.   Work with your primary care provider or General Practiioner to get referred to a great surgical urologist, one that does lots and lots of this type of operation.   Ask him if he/she is the best. : - ).   Then plan for your surgery and recovery, the pathology will come a few weeks later and then you will find out what type of further treatment you will need from none to periodical scans. 

    By the way the pain in your shoulder could very well be referred pain from GERD (reflux), you may have silent reflux (I did) - not the burning feeling of heartburn (unless I drink alcohol then the pain is burning).  Talk to your doctor about trying some meds for it.  The shoulder pain may well dissapear.  You could have a hiatus hernia, is kind of common, espcially as we age or are a little overweight.  Plenty of information online about GERD.  

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    Glad you found us, Carlos!

    Glad you found us, Carlos! Know that WE'll help you through this time. We remember the shock and awe of hearing the "c" word.

    BUT you'll soon learn that YOUR tumor is most likely stage I and surgery will eliminate that little bugger. AND you'll be in good hands, so trust your doctor. Ask as many questions as you to your doctor, to us!

    I will write you again, or you can DM me via an email here. I have had several abdominal surgeries but this week, on the 30th I will be 4 years NED (No Evidence of Disease). 

    So try really hard not to allow anxiety and worry ruin your health and well being. You need your energy to LIVE! ok?

    Sending you healing hugs, with love and care!

    Jan

  • CarlosRosado
    CarlosRosado Member Posts: 88 Member
    Questions

    great for the awesome welcome

    I have been trying to fight my own mind that is playing games against me. First I was afraid of having 

    problem with my livrer and now that they found this mass in my kidney I relate evey symptom to this.

    I had the ultrasound 4 days ago and Im just waiting for the CT scan

    so far the info that I have is this :

    Well difine solid mass , 4.6 cm diameter, upper pole left kidney, no vascular activity inside.  The untrasound report says that could be:

    A)solid nodule from the adrenal gland

    b)accesory spleen

    c) tumor from kidney

     

    Liver, spleen, left kidney , gall bladder, pancreas , all good conditions

    thoughts?

     

     

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    edited December 2017 #10
    Once you have the CT scan

    Once you have the CT scan with dye you will def have answers. Tumors show up very clearly as they take in the dye and almost light up. Unfortunately you will prob have to wait until then for clarity. I know the waiting sucks. Sorry.

  • CarlosRosado
    CarlosRosado Member Posts: 88 Member
    Yes, the waiting sucks

    Yes, the waiting sucks

    right now the only pain that I have is in my shoulders.... I guess is stress related