Day 2 post-op

Glidergal365
Glidergal365 Member Posts: 93
edited March 2018 in Kidney Cancer #1

 morning y'all. The doctor came today after a rough night. Finally got good pain relief and they made amazing heat packs which moved the gas out of my shoulder! When the doctor changed my dressing she let me know they got the path results and it was papillary RCC. She thinks it said stage 2. But I'll get the full path report in two weeks when I see my regular doctor. Not what I was hoping to hear. Mixed feelings at the moment. How did y'all cope with knowing it was cancer? 

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Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    Take it in stride

    Glidergal,

     

    Unfortunately when it looks like Cancer and they make a decision to take it out, it usually is. That was my result almost 16 years ago. We are survivors so lets stay that way and not let a c word define us.

     

     

    icemantoo

  • Brock1969
    Brock1969 Member Posts: 80
    same concerns

     

     

    And I received so much advice from people on this board. Essnetially it boils down to you cannot change the fact you got it. You have done something about it. But now you CAN control how you move forward and with what frame of mind. I had same feelings...the "why me" blues. None of us has a time frame on this earth. You just never know. So, we can either spend the time worrying and hoping for a long life and when we get to the end realize that we didn't really "live" or we can just appreciate what we have. I sit her typing this with a gin and tonic, my wife by my side on the deack, dogs at feet, and sun shining. It's a good day. That attitude is an amalgamation of advice from about 10 people on this message board. Hope your recovery is going well. PLenty of short walks. Lots of exhale breaths to clear the lungs. Take it slow 

  • Glidergal365
    Glidergal365 Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2018 #4
    icemantoo said:

    Take it in stride

    Glidergal,

     

    Unfortunately when it looks like Cancer and they make a decision to take it out, it usually is. That was my result almost 16 years ago. We are survivors so lets stay that way and not let a c word define us.

     

     

    icemantoo

    Thanks

     I was kinda expecting it to be. So I don't feel shocked. I am glad it's out and know a future of scans are coming. My grandma is a 20+ year breast cancer survivor and tough as nails. She's my hero :) it's just such an odd thing to say about myself. 

  • jazzgirl
    jazzgirl Member Posts: 240 Member
    edited March 2018 #5
    The knowing

    Hi Gildergal, I knew it was cancer before going into surgery, from a biopsy I never want to have to repeat.  At that point I focused on the phrase I've seen so many times here:  "Get it out."  My diagnosis was out of the blue with no symptoms, so it took a long time to wrap my mind around it - still processing two years later.  If you are familiar with stages of grief, I think we also go through each of those when we hear the word (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance).  There's that persistent thought that, "this isn't real, this is a mistake," etc.  It has helped me to write about it and talk about it with those who "get it". 

    I know little about papillary RCC but sounds like you are in good and competent hands and on the road to recovery from surgery.  I'm glad they are finding ways to address your pain.  Thinking of you as you heal and as you wait for the full report.  Take care -

  • JoeyZ
    JoeyZ Member Posts: 210 Member
    Hi Glidergal. I just had a

    Hi Glidergal. I just had a kidney removed Mar. 8th with same kind of cancer. Stage II, Grade 3 on the path. report. I hope yours was better contained, mine was so big and spread. Didn't find it early enough. 

    I understand your feelings totally, and have them myself. So as the others told me, we're in this together. I saw your other post before surgery and was wondering how you are, so I'm glad you were able to come tell us. Keep us posted. I guess yours and my type of cancer is more rare, so we can be buddies, I suppose! 

    You take it easy. I felt a lot more at ease just getting it all out of me. At least I hope it's all out. Having a scan this next week to see. Take care & Happy Easter!!

  • Tapman63
    Tapman63 Member Posts: 137 Member
    edited April 2018 #7
    It is what it is...

    From everything I've read and heard any kidney mass has at least an 80-90% chance of being cancerous.  Pre-surgery, I went with the idea that it was cancer and would be very happy if it turned out otherwise.  For me it happened kind of quickly, so today...six weeks after my surgery...i'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I actually DID have cancer and that it's (hopefully) behind me now.  Look at it like that - you had it....you got it out...you're going to have a long, healthy life.  

    Best wishes and Happy Easter!

    Jim

  • jomoore60
    jomoore60 Member Posts: 6
    Take it easy!

    I really hope this goes well for you..I'm only at the stage of getting results from MRI, hopefully Tueday. Prayers

  • gunswork
    gunswork Member Posts: 3

    Best thing you can do is get up and walk as much as you can to speed up your recovery and manage the pain. Walking helps get rid of the gas in your jounts and will get you home faster. But listen to your body and when you need a break or rest listen! Do the same when you get home. Do not become a couch potato or over do it either. Sleep and activity in balance is the way to go. It also helps manage any depression and helps put your cancer worries out of the forefront of your mind. Live each day and enjoy it and keep moving. Focus on recovery and getting better.

  • Bay Area Guy
    Bay Area Guy Member Posts: 618 Member
    I think we all went through

    I think we all went through the same feelings as you are having.  I know I did.  Mine was small and turned out to be chromophobe RCC, stage 1.  And even though you're prepared for the news, hearing the doctor say, "Well, it was, in fact, malignant", still makes your heart stop.  We've been conditioned all of our lives that a diagnosis of cancer is a death sentence.  But with the amazing progress that's been made in the last five to ten years, while cancer is certainly something you don't want to get, it's not quite as fearsome as it once was.  In 2009, we got a call from my brother-in-law, asking us if we could go to a doctor's appointment with him the next day.  We only knew that he had been having some nosebleeds and was generally run down.  We got the news that he had something called nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a cancer of that's in the back of the nose and throat.  We were shocked and we panicked when we heard the doctor describe it as stage 4A.  We spent the next four months with him pretty much every day as he had to have a daily dose of targeted radiation and once a month he had to undergo chemo.  He was blessed to have been referred to doctors at UCSF, one of the leading cancer hospitals and clinics in the US and I believe the top one in the Bay Area.  Four months later, when his treatment regimen was over, the tumor had been completely eliminated and now, eight years later, scans continue to show him cancer-free.  And remember, this was staged at 4A.

    I've been reading about an injection that was developed at Stanford University, just the down the Peninsula from me, and where I went to get my kidney lesion analyzed and ultimately removed.  The injection was developed by the same doctor that developed the chemotherpy treatment called rituximab (believe that's the spelling), that greatly improved the effectiveness of chemo on many types of cancers and reduced the often uncomfortable side effects of the treatment.  This injection helps to kick start the body's own immune system into fighting certain types of cancer cells.  It had a 97% success rate on labratory mice and is now moving into human trials.  It's very exiciting stuff.

    I'm 62 years old.  And I firmly believe that, within my lifetime, cancer is going to move from being a disease that has been feared and dreaded, to being one that is curable or, at worst, is contrable much like HIV/AIDS is today.  Big Pharma rightfully earns the wrath of many, myself included, for over-peddling opiates and anti-depressants, along with endless supplies of ED drugs, but for all they do wrong, they have developed some amazing drug treatments.

  • Glidergal365
    Glidergal365 Member Posts: 93
    JoeyZ said:

    Hi Glidergal. I just had a

    Hi Glidergal. I just had a kidney removed Mar. 8th with same kind of cancer. Stage II, Grade 3 on the path. report. I hope yours was better contained, mine was so big and spread. Didn't find it early enough. 

    I understand your feelings totally, and have them myself. So as the others told me, we're in this together. I saw your other post before surgery and was wondering how you are, so I'm glad you were able to come tell us. Keep us posted. I guess yours and my type of cancer is more rare, so we can be buddies, I suppose! 

    You take it easy. I felt a lot more at ease just getting it all out of me. At least I hope it's all out. Having a scan this next week to see. Take care & Happy Easter!!

    She said mine was stage 2

    but I don't know the rest yet. It was at least 4.5x3.2 (from last CT). And it grew 1.5cm in 6 months when it was labled a Bosniak IIF. I think that's what makes it a stage 2. I'm curious if it's papillary type 1 or 2. Did you learn which yours is? I actually feel really good post surgery. Two different docs checked in on me post-op day 1 and 2 and couldn't believe how good I looked. That makes me happy :) except I'm reminding myself to take it slow and other than walking, not to do much. I did shower today and it was great. I hope you're recovering well! Let's stay in touch through this crazy journey! 

  • Glidergal365
    Glidergal365 Member Posts: 93
    gunswork said:

    Best thing you can do is get up and walk as much as you can to speed up your recovery and manage the pain. Walking helps get rid of the gas in your jounts and will get you home faster. But listen to your body and when you need a break or rest listen! Do the same when you get home. Do not become a couch potato or over do it either. Sleep and activity in balance is the way to go. It also helps manage any depression and helps put your cancer worries out of the forefront of your mind. Live each day and enjoy it and keep moving. Focus on recovery and getting better.

    The gas was the WORST

     the CO2 was literally the worst thing EVER. They had to give me morphine and Oxycodone to get it to calm down. My pain was not well controlled first day. Second day I advocated for myself and they fixed it. I finally got some sleep. And heat packs on my shoulder helped knock the gas down. The incision doesn't hurt too bad. A little itchy. I'm super impressed with the surgeon and staff at the hospital. I'm on a low dose of Oxycodone now (5mg) every 4 hours and tomorrow plan on transitioning to Tylenol. Since my spring class just started I'm happy I can keep my brain engaged. I'm planning on staying out of work 4 weeks regardless, otherwise I'll do too much. That is going to be the struggle!!

  • JoeyZ
    JoeyZ Member Posts: 210 Member

    She said mine was stage 2

    but I don't know the rest yet. It was at least 4.5x3.2 (from last CT). And it grew 1.5cm in 6 months when it was labled a Bosniak IIF. I think that's what makes it a stage 2. I'm curious if it's papillary type 1 or 2. Did you learn which yours is? I actually feel really good post surgery. Two different docs checked in on me post-op day 1 and 2 and couldn't believe how good I looked. That makes me happy :) except I'm reminding myself to take it slow and other than walking, not to do much. I did shower today and it was great. I hope you're recovering well! Let's stay in touch through this crazy journey! 

    Hi Jenn, Mine was a Papillary

    Hi Jenn, Mine was a Papillary type 2, which I guess is the worst one. SO glad you're looking good and doing good! Never does a shower feel so good, right?!! Take care and keep us posted what more you find out. I'm still new to all this and have tons to learn!! 

  • Canadian Sandy
    Canadian Sandy Member Posts: 783 Member
    I was not surprised to have

    I was not surprised to have cancer. It was a complex cyst, part cyst and part mass. The pain after totally caught me off guard. I had colon surgery couple of years ago and very little pain. Open nephrectomy is what hurts.

    i didn’t suffer from any gas pains which was nice. 

  • Mighty Frog
    Mighty Frog Member Posts: 152 Member
    Speedy Recovery

    Hi! Great!you have successful operation. Wish you speedy recovery. 

    On how to cope? Is a tough one, i struggled 6 months to puzzled back on my life. Well we all do have good days and bad days

    First of all, need to get over "Why Me? Queston!

    then the next question " What to eat?" This question need to be answer everyday and 3 times a day. Solution to this question, choose a diet that suit you. And a new lifestyle as things are not going to the same anymore. Need to be strong to adapt to this new environment. 

    Keep you mind focus on recovering and planning for this new life. 

    Once you have get everyhing in order and organised then this new life is more better to handle. 

    Get more rest as possible. 

     

     

     

  • medic1971
    medic1971 Member Posts: 225 Member
    Gas pain SUCKS!!!

    Yeah I am right there with you, that gas pain is awful.  

    You posted this: " It was at least 4.5x3.2 (from last CT). And it grew 1.5cm in 6 months when it was labeled a Bosniak IIF. I think that's what makes it a stage 2." 

    That does not sound right to me.  T1 or stage 1: The tumor is found only in the kidney and is 7 cm or smaller at its largest area. There has been much discussion among doctors about whether this classification should only include a tumor that is 5 cm or smaller.

    The Bosniak classification system of renal cystic masses divides renal cystic masses into five categories based on imaging characteristics on contrast-enhanced CT. It is helpful in predicting a risk of malignancy and suggesting either follow up or treatment.  This is NOT used for staging.

     

    Do you think she could have said grade 2 or type 2? 

     

    Good luck that gas pain should be almost gone by now!

  • kiwi68
    kiwi68 Member Posts: 110
    Glad to Hear

    Glad to hear you are sounding very upbeat and making forward progress on recovery.  Go You.  Now - slow down.  Seriously, just take it easy, I know you have plans to.  Remind yourself. Unless you are in a burning building, it can probably wait.   As will your results and next steps.  Try to compartmentalise the worry about future steps.  Focus on your post operative recovery, pooping, sleeping, wound care, take advantage of the friends and family that will be your supportors and champions, enage with them, let them know what they can do to help and let them know how you feel if you think they would like to share in that with you.   This board can be a great place to write/vent/question without judgement and without upsetting family and friends if you want to avoid that.   Live in the moment for the moment, nothing is going to change the pathology and the next steps that you will find out about in a few weeks so try very very hard not to think about it yet would be my advice.   I was very glad I did that, my result was non cancerous, and I did reflect that either way I would have felt some resentment at time lost to worrying if I had spent much time on it before I got the pathology. 

    Now, have a warm drink and keep your feet up - keep with the deep breathing and walking.   

  • Glidergal365
    Glidergal365 Member Posts: 93
    edited April 2018 #18
    You're right medic

    i was still on oxycodone when I responded LOL..

    I called my surgeon to ask and it is papillary RCC type 2 stage 1. I'll get the rest of the info next Thursday at post op :) at this point I'm happy I had clear margins. I'm curious how big it actually was when they pulled it out considering the growth rate and it was almost 2 months between scan and surgery. 

    That gas pain though... 

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    It is so strange when they

    It is so strange when they actually confirm it WAS cancer. Even though we know all along it probably is..we still hold out hope right? It is still shocking to hear. Thank god they got it out. Def take it easy and allow yourself to heal. Time is your best friend.

  • hardo718
    hardo718 Member Posts: 853 Member
    Glad it's behind you

    Hoping your recovery goes well.  Coping with the diagnosis for me was like being hit by a truck.  That couldn't be, not me, why me and a myriad of other crazy thoughts I suppose.  Give yourself time to get over the shock.  It's a process.  Some of my thoughts after a little adjustment included, thank God that F***** is out of me and other not so nice thoughts about cancer.  I named the beast that grew within so I could refer to it in those moments.  (Bob the Blob)  

    Best wishes on your road to recovery,

    Donna~

     

  • Glidergal365
    Glidergal365 Member Posts: 93

     For the most part my recovery has been going exceptionally well, however I noticed Friday a spot not healing in the bigger scar (I had a hand assist ) and went in to the clinic where one of the internal stitches (the knot) had poked through. He pulled it out and clipped it. Since then the whole thing has itched and now I have what feels like sunburn below the bellybutton (about a 5 inch area to the left of my large incision).I called the on call Dr and will see them tomorrow, he thinks it's a nerve reaction. Has anyone else experienced this? My incision doesn't look Infected, no fever etc.. its so annoying and when I walk anything that touches feels awful :(