New Kidney cancer diagnosis.....What now?

KatfromFlorida

Hi:

To everyone here,much continued health and happiness to you and your families.
Yesterday the Kidney Doctor told me that I have a 4cm tumor on my right kidney. His exact words were its a tumor, its malignant and its cancer..... Wow..
After that I just went numb. He said he only removes the entire kidney so I have been
referred to someone else in his office that does partial removal but not until next week.
Today I had a chest xray and a bone scan and I am completely petrified.
I have told my family but I still haven't wrapped myself around exactly what all this may mean to me or to them. Talking too much about it with them makes it worse as I am not anywhere near being able to get past my own thoughts and feelings about it.
And actually I don't really know what my feelings are yet if you can understand that.
Seeing it out in the open like this helps a bit gives me some hope that maybe it won't be as bad as I imagine it is or will be. Does this get easier to figure out ?

icemantoo

It hits you like a lead balloon.
Dear Kat,

A little over 9 years ago that was me playing your role. A CT scan disclosed a 2,7 cm little rascal on my Kidney which measured 4.2 cm on the biopsy after surgery. My Nepherectomy was on 8/1/2002 after I had just turned 59. They were not doing partials then. Mine was laproscopic.

Eleven months later my family took me to club Med if Florida where I went water skiing. This past January I went River Tubing in Dominica. This December I am looking into ziplining and parasaling on my Caribbean Cruise. I also look forward to the weddings of each of my 5 grandchildren currently ages 15,14,13,12 and 10 before I leave the mother ship.

Assuming you have no complications with a 4cm little rascal you should be able to live a full and normal life without future medical intervention after the inital surgery. You will have regular CT scans etc, though.

The surgery is not fun, but it beats the a;ternative.

Best wishes,

Icemanto

Jamie1.3cm

I concur
It's really a good thing that this tumor was caught while it is still small. (The largest one I've heard of was 33 cm.) The smaller tumors usually have the nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, or cryoablation (freeze killing the tumor) as the cure. And, as Iceman mentioned, you can lead a perfectly normal life on one or one and a half kidney.

The surgery can be either an open surgery or a laproscopic surgery. It seems like the total nephrectomy (removing the entire kidney) is more likely to be done laproscopically. The partial must be harder because they tend to be open surgeries. Why does it matter? Recovering from laproscopic surgery tends to be easier. Cryoablation can be done either way.

You can expect to have a surgery date scheduled pretty quickly. You'll want to prepare your house for the first few weeks after surgery when you won't be feeling up to doing anything.

Ok, that's really what you need to know. Other stuff that may pop up on the internet invariably is talking about HUGE tumors that are in worse-case-scenario. Don't freak yourself out about that. Lots of us are living perfectly normal lives, after kidney cancer surgery.

ejneary

Easier to figure out?
No, not really. You can think of this experience as a journey. Every day you will learn a little more and asking the right questions of your doctor is important so be aware that you will have to do things that help you retain the information like writing down questions and answers to those questions when you are at the doctors office as the information can be technical. Your emotions are totally normal for what you have just been hit with and the first few weeks are terrifying.

The good news is that your tumor is relatively small. The results of your follow on CTs and bone scan will be important as this will determine if there is metastasis but given the size, I would not expect that to have happened so let's assume that for the moment...

The next step is to determine where the tumor is. Upper lobe tumors tend to not allow partial nephrectomies due to their proximity to major blood vessels. Lower and mid lobe tumors are more resectable via partial nephrectomy but make sure that you have a very skilled surgeon that you feel comfortable with. IF you have any doubts about your urologist, get another one!!! This is an area where you want the best of the best in the operating room. You will have to base your decision on research of their credentials and your gut feeling when you discuss with them the procedure. This is also where you need to have that list of questions so that you can probe your surgeon regarding the procedure to get that gut feeling.

Questions include:
Where will I be treated?
When will this be done?
Will this be open or laproscopic?
Partial or radical?
How long will I be in the hospital?
How will my pain be controlled?
What will I need to do at home afterwards?
What tests will I need to complete before/After?

Stuff like that..... You will be able to get a good feeling about the doctors capability, confidence and general demeanor. This is important for your peace of mind.

On the emotions side, you were just in a train wreck... Expect to be in shock for some time as you wade through this new world and try to figure it out while in shock. You will be exposed to new language and learn things about your body that you really didn't want to know. I explain that I was blessed with 45 years of denial about my body before I was diagnosed. Now, I could attend a seminar of kidney cancer doctors and understand probably 80% of what they talk about... IT SUCKS and is cool at the same time!!!

As you move through the initial diagnosis towards surgery, you will be in a state of suspension. Things will seem to take forever (Test results) yet you will be moved very rapidly towards your surgery. The preparation for surgery is both mechanical (hibbie cleanse, bowel prep...) as well as emotional (Crying, anger, depressing, anxiety and then back to crying). This is all very normal and you should expect it. Give yourself a break and spend the time you need to get used to it all. It you need to leave it alone for a while, leave it alone and go do something you enjoy. Allow yourself to be as normal as possible through this as it will lower your negative feelings. Cancer thrives on negativity so don't let it have what it likes. Starve it by working on positive thoughts. Guided imagery helps A LOT!!!

However, here is the good news... When you throw a boulder into a smooth pond, there is a lot of thrashing water for a while but eventually, the water gets smooth again. The same is true of your emotions. You will get used to the idea and become more calm as you move through this experience and though life will never be the same again, cancer does have gifts believe it or not. The main gift that I have received is a renewed appreciation for every single moment. When I catch myself getting pulled into life as usual, I take a moment to look around and take notice of my senses. Smells, sites, feelings... I realize that you are not there yet but trust me, you will be and having that brand new feeling again is really a great thing.

For the time being, realize that what you are feeling is TOTALLY NORMAL and that having your mortality shoved right up in your face is one of the biggest life challenges there are. You have already made the right decision by coming here. You might also look into local cancer support groups in your area. It helps to talk with others on the journey. Puts it into perspective... DO NOT believe everything you read on the internet. There are horror stories out there and these ARE NOT helpful. Get your information from reliable sources and make sure to check things out here. There is another great site at:

www.acor.org.

God Bless You!

John Neary

Minnesota Girl

It gets easier
Kat -

I'll just reinforce all the encouragement you've received so far. I know your head is reeling. In three months I've gone from being totally healthy to being diagnosed with cancer to being a cancer survivor. My hand assisted laproscopic surgery was four weeks ago today. The recovery isn't easy, but I'm sure glad that stinkin' cancer is out of me!!

You will get through this!

Amy

donna_lee

Minnesota Girl said:

It gets easier
Kat -

I'll just reinforce all the encouragement you've received so far. I know your head is reeling. In three months I've gone from being totally healthy to being diagnosed with cancer to being a cancer survivor. My hand assisted laproscopic surgery was four weeks ago today. The recovery isn't easy, but I'm sure glad that stinkin' cancer is out of me!!

You will get through this!

Amy

Hi Kat
I am reminded every year at this time of what you are going through. And I went thru it three times, once with the inital dx and twice with recurrences.
Yes, you will need to ask questions. But coming from a teaching background, I needed to get myself and my husband organized with a capital O.
I put together a 3 ring binder that I could take to all my appointments. Dividers and post its are the backbone or organizing it. This was pretty much before blackberrys and handheld computers.
-Dr's names, numbers, appointments, notes from the meetings
-results of all my tests, labs, etc. Maps of how to get there if needed.
-My own medical history, since every place you go will need it (previous surgeries, meds you're on, illnesses, hospitalizations, parents (alive/deceased, age, health, why he/she died) and siblings, allergies or sensitivities (latex?, milk?, drugs?). Pre-op, anesthesia, they all need this info.
-Printed material (dr's office, internet, etc.) about your type of cancer. How to interprete stage and grade. How to read labs and what they mean to your body.
-Closer to surgery date there is more organizing.
...A list of names and phone numbers for someone to call when you are out of surgery. Hopefully each call can be the start of a calling tree.
...What to pack for in hospital and the day to come home. My first surgery was at a regional teaching hospital, so I had travel and 2 days staying in my daughter's place before surgery, and then a night in a hotel after the hospital. You will beg to take a shower, but it's a no deal.
...Your house/home. Change the sheets before you go, get the laundry caught up, pay the bills.
...Who will help you out once you're home? Meals, and all the stuff in the previous list. You will not want to change the sheets yourself.
...I already had a hand held shower head and a shower stool. If you can get set up with both, you'll be glad you did. It will take energy just to stand for a while. And it feels sooooooo good to sit and just let the warm water run over your body
I work, and a lot of the calls came to the home. I got phone message pad to write info on when I played the answering machine back. That way I had a copy in the book when I tore off a memo and recorded a new phone number, Dr., or info in my binder.

I assure you, you will get there. And tell the Dr.s, "Out damned spot."
All best wishes and keep us posted on your journey. You're already ahead of the curve by finding this on-line support group. If you can find an "in-person" group you can participate with, and especially if it is mixed types of cancers, you will do even better.

I did the resarch to found out where the info came from when I had to give a speech to a group of survivors at the Relay for Life. Statistically, individuals who belong to a support group have a 25% better survival rate than those who don't participate in a group. (Harvard Study) Another university study found that a person standing by him/herself at the bottom of a slope felt that getting to the top would be nearly impossible. But with a friend beside them, it was achievable. And laughter is a big key to surviving. More another time.
Donna

Jamie1.3cm

donna_lee said:

Hi Kat
I am reminded every year at this time of what you are going through. And I went thru it three times, once with the inital dx and twice with recurrences.
Yes, you will need to ask questions. But coming from a teaching background, I needed to get myself and my husband organized with a capital O.
I put together a 3 ring binder that I could take to all my appointments. Dividers and post its are the backbone or organizing it. This was pretty much before blackberrys and handheld computers.
-Dr's names, numbers, appointments, notes from the meetings
-results of all my tests, labs, etc. Maps of how to get there if needed.
-My own medical history, since every place you go will need it (previous surgeries, meds you're on, illnesses, hospitalizations, parents (alive/deceased, age, health, why he/she died) and siblings, allergies or sensitivities (latex?, milk?, drugs?). Pre-op, anesthesia, they all need this info.
-Printed material (dr's office, internet, etc.) about your type of cancer. How to interprete stage and grade. How to read labs and what they mean to your body.
-Closer to surgery date there is more organizing.
...A list of names and phone numbers for someone to call when you are out of surgery. Hopefully each call can be the start of a calling tree.
...What to pack for in hospital and the day to come home. My first surgery was at a regional teaching hospital, so I had travel and 2 days staying in my daughter's place before surgery, and then a night in a hotel after the hospital. You will beg to take a shower, but it's a no deal.
...Your house/home. Change the sheets before you go, get the laundry caught up, pay the bills.
...Who will help you out once you're home? Meals, and all the stuff in the previous list. You will not want to change the sheets yourself.
...I already had a hand held shower head and a shower stool. If you can get set up with both, you'll be glad you did. It will take energy just to stand for a while. And it feels sooooooo good to sit and just let the warm water run over your body
I work, and a lot of the calls came to the home. I got phone message pad to write info on when I played the answering machine back. That way I had a copy in the book when I tore off a memo and recorded a new phone number, Dr., or info in my binder.

I assure you, you will get there. And tell the Dr.s, "Out damned spot."
All best wishes and keep us posted on your journey. You're already ahead of the curve by finding this on-line support group. If you can find an "in-person" group you can participate with, and especially if it is mixed types of cancers, you will do even better.

I did the resarch to found out where the info came from when I had to give a speech to a group of survivors at the Relay for Life. Statistically, individuals who belong to a support group have a 25% better survival rate than those who don't participate in a group. (Harvard Study) Another university study found that a person standing by him/herself at the bottom of a slope felt that getting to the top would be nearly impossible. But with a friend beside them, it was achievable. And laughter is a big key to surviving. More another time.
Donna

So true!
God bless the shower chair!

icemantoo

Jamie1.3cm said:

So true!
God bless the shower chair!

The Good News
Kat,

The good news is that your tumor at 4cm was caught early and you should have a full and complete recovery. Do not get hung up on the Doctor telling you that it is malignant and is Cancer. Most diagnoses of a mass on a Kidney more than a cm or 2 do in fact turn out to be Cancer.So what. After the surgery you can tell people you had Cancer, not that you have it. Afer the Surgery you will feel better esch day and be back to normal activities in 6 to 8 weeks. Do not do as one recent poster did 3 months following surgery: ride a roller coaster. Wait until next summer for that. Kidney Cancer caught early is not a death sentance. Being told right out of the gate that you have Cancer and that you have to have surgery can scare the s== out of anybody, but is a mere bump in the road to the rest of your life. Stay positive.

Best wishes,


Icemantoo

KatfromFlorida

icemantoo said:

It hits you like a lead balloon.
Dear Kat,

A little over 9 years ago that was me playing your role. A CT scan disclosed a 2,7 cm little rascal on my Kidney which measured 4.2 cm on the biopsy after surgery. My Nepherectomy was on 8/1/2002 after I had just turned 59. They were not doing partials then. Mine was laproscopic.

Eleven months later my family took me to club Med if Florida where I went water skiing. This past January I went River Tubing in Dominica. This December I am looking into ziplining and parasaling on my Caribbean Cruise. I also look forward to the weddings of each of my 5 grandchildren currently ages 15,14,13,12 and 10 before I leave the mother ship.

Assuming you have no complications with a 4cm little rascal you should be able to live a full and normal life without future medical intervention after the inital surgery. You will have regular CT scans etc, though.

The surgery is not fun, but it beats the a;ternative.

Best wishes,

Icemanto

Thank you so much for all your kind words
To Iceman, Ej,Jamie, Minngirl and Donnalee

Thank you all so much for sharing all of your advice and experiences with me. I feel a little more at peace with the situation now and I cannot express how much it means to find this place. I read quite of few of your stories prior to joining and learned more in a half a day then I have been able to pry from the medical people I have dealt with the last few weeks. I just celebrated the 11 anniversary of my 39th birthday so I was hoping to live to see at least 90 to make sure my kids need to wipe my butt at least once before I head home to the land of milk and honey... I'm still pretty numb but all your comments have helped ease my mind tremendously.
My doctors appointment with the kidney surgeon next Monday had to be rescheduled as my job feels that a required training is more important than dealing with cancer... How funny is that irony seriously? LOL. Once again , thank you all for the support, I am so very grateful to have found you all.
My best
Kat

garym

icemantoo said:

The Good News
Kat,

The good news is that your tumor at 4cm was caught early and you should have a full and complete recovery. Do not get hung up on the Doctor telling you that it is malignant and is Cancer. Most diagnoses of a mass on a Kidney more than a cm or 2 do in fact turn out to be Cancer.So what. After the surgery you can tell people you had Cancer, not that you have it. Afer the Surgery you will feel better esch day and be back to normal activities in 6 to 8 weeks. Do not do as one recent poster did 3 months following surgery: ride a roller coaster. Wait until next summer for that. Kidney Cancer caught early is not a death sentance. Being told right out of the gate that you have Cancer and that you have to have surgery can scare the s== out of anybody, but is a mere bump in the road to the rest of your life. Stay positive.

Best wishes,


Icemantoo

Welcome to the club
Hi Kat,

I remember stumbling onto this site in the fall of 2009 and being overwhelmed by the support of so many club members that had been through it before me, you have come to the right place, these guys are great. Believe me, we are the lucky ones, no chemo, no radiation, just surgery and the associated recovery time. You seem to have a great sense of humor, laugh as much as possible with friends and family, you'll be amazed by its healing powers.

The iceman gave you a glimpse at his bucket list, mine includes hiking across the Grand Canyon later this month at age 60, I encourage you to start yours and think long term, you have a lot more birthdays to celebrate!

Good luck and keep us posted,

Gary

Katielynn

Dear Kat,
Welcome, you will
Dear Kat,
Welcome, you will find this site a lifesaver. You are not alone with the feelings you are having, we've all been there. Of course you're petrified, hearing those words sends a shock through your body and mind that are totally indescribable....I am two months and 2 days post surgery, my 3 cm. tumor was found accidentally, at first I was told I'd have a partial nephrectomy, but as it turned out my whole left kidney had to be removed. The doctors really can't give any definite answers until they get in there, and I was well aware of this from the get go. There is light at the end of the tunnel. In my case it was encapsulated and I'm told this is a good thing, so taking the kidney may have been my best option. I had robotic surgery, have 4 little scars and about a 3 inch scar as a reminder..I recovered quite quickly, followed doctors orders to a tee...didn't overdo, but didn't just lie around. In fact, post surgery, all I needed was 2 days of pain killers...My biggest problem was getting out of my Lazy Boy...thank God I have two fabulous daughters that were always around to help me...I did find sleeping in that chair the best possible option..Lying in bed was definitely not..I'd say right now I feel about 90% back to normal...I get a little twingey pain in my back yet, but swimming has helped a lot. I'm not going to sugar coat this, it's devastating, but, yours is small, I pray for the best for you. I totally understand your feelings about talking about this with your family, I was in the exact same frame of mind. Their positive, trying to cheer me up attitudes seemed to make matters worse. There's really nothing anyone can say to make matters better, and I had to really come to grips with it before I was able to talk openly about my feelings...When you're ready to talk about it you will..Everything has to be dealt with at an individual pace, no two people handle things the same way. As I first stated, this forum was a life saver for me. I got encouragement from people who really KNEW what I was going through....My advice to you is handle this situation in a way that is best for you, try to think positively (easier said than done, I know) and have faith...Visit frequently and never feel ashamed or afraid to ask questions...there is a wealth of knowledge here....Best of luck to you, and God bless

KatfromFlorida

Minnesota Girl said:

It gets easier
Kat -

I'll just reinforce all the encouragement you've received so far. I know your head is reeling. In three months I've gone from being totally healthy to being diagnosed with cancer to being a cancer survivor. My hand assisted laproscopic surgery was four weeks ago today. The recovery isn't easy, but I'm sure glad that stinkin' cancer is out of me!!

You will get through this!

Amy

Hope your doing well
Just wanted to say Hi and Thank you for responding. Hope your recovery is going well for you. I am still in the initial phase of this and don't really know much more than what I posted earlier. Have another doctors appt this coming Wednesday and kind of dreading it I think. Whatever this is I want it gone as well. My best
Kat

KatfromFlorida

Minnesota Girl said:

It gets easier
Kat -

I'll just reinforce all the encouragement you've received so far. I know your head is reeling. In three months I've gone from being totally healthy to being diagnosed with cancer to being a cancer survivor. My hand assisted laproscopic surgery was four weeks ago today. The recovery isn't easy, but I'm sure glad that stinkin' cancer is out of me!!

You will get through this!

Amy

Hope your doing well
Just wanted to say Hi and Thank you for responding. Hope your recovery is going well for you. I am still in the initial phase of this and don't really know much more than what I posted earlier. Have another doctors appt this coming Wednesday and kind of dreading it I think. Whatever this is I want it gone as well. My best
Kat

niprut

Thoughts are with you
Hi Kat,

News like this is such a shock. Sometimes you will want to talk sometimes you wont. Sometimes you will feel okay, sometimes you will be overwhelmed. Hold the hands of those closest to you when you need it the most, and just get through each day as best you can however you need to. Don't worry about everyone else for a while, just concentrate on getting though the hurdles in front you, one step at a time.

This forum and the people in it are wonderful, they are such a source of strength,inspiration and knowledge. Touch base in here when you need to.

Twelve months on and I still have not "figured it out", but I take comfort in knowing I am not alone and there are people who do understand exactly how I feel.

Take care and go gently.

Jo

KatfromFlorida

Surgery date
I honestly don't know how I have managed to make it through the past couple of weeks.
Between the new job I have, my grown children living with me , this recent health development blah blah blah, I gotta tell you I am completely exhausted. Bone tired , brain dead exhausted. My kidney surgery is set for September 13th 2011. The surgeon is using the robot gizmo thingey to get it out. Thanks to all for all the great advice and good thoughts cause I needed it. With my prepared list of 60 questions the doctor helped me to understand what will happen and when so I feel a bit more relaxed about the situation. I know it is what it is, but I am beginning to realize that its a one day at a time thing right now. Many nightly prayers to all of you and yours.
My best
Kat

BG

KatfromFlorida said:

Surgery date
I honestly don't know how I have managed to make it through the past couple of weeks.
Between the new job I have, my grown children living with me , this recent health development blah blah blah, I gotta tell you I am completely exhausted. Bone tired , brain dead exhausted. My kidney surgery is set for September 13th 2011. The surgeon is using the robot gizmo thingey to get it out. Thanks to all for all the great advice and good thoughts cause I needed it. With my prepared list of 60 questions the doctor helped me to understand what will happen and when so I feel a bit more relaxed about the situation. I know it is what it is, but I am beginning to realize that its a one day at a time thing right now. Many nightly prayers to all of you and yours.
My best
Kat

Hi Kat,
I had a pratial
Hi Kat,

I had a pratial neprectomy 3 weeks ago, it was laproscopic with the robot, for a 3.9 cm tumor, Chromophobe grade 2. I am getting around pretty good, with an occasional pain pill, trying to keep up with my 3 and 6 year old.

The surgery is tough, I was in the hospital 3 nights, but I am healing well. The incision sites, largest being 1.5 inches, other maybe 0.5 inches have healed, and the pain is kidney pain which is sporadic. Bottom line, I am glad the tumor is gone, and each day I get better.

Your original post indicates you were referred to another doctor, is that one able to do a partial nephrectomy?

I wish you well, I had to wait 1 month from finding out till surgery, so I know the wait is tough. I used that time to try to educate myself as much as possible. I have scheduled an appointment with a RCC oncologist the 29th of this month to establish a relationship and get additional information.

My prayers are with you, hang in there.

BGH

icemantoo

KatfromFlorida said:

Surgery date
I honestly don't know how I have managed to make it through the past couple of weeks.
Between the new job I have, my grown children living with me , this recent health development blah blah blah, I gotta tell you I am completely exhausted. Bone tired , brain dead exhausted. My kidney surgery is set for September 13th 2011. The surgeon is using the robot gizmo thingey to get it out. Thanks to all for all the great advice and good thoughts cause I needed it. With my prepared list of 60 questions the doctor helped me to understand what will happen and when so I feel a bit more relaxed about the situation. I know it is what it is, but I am beginning to realize that its a one day at a time thing right now. Many nightly prayers to all of you and yours.
My best
Kat

Katfrom Florida.

I posted this earlier, but it again reminds me of the month waiting and waiting to go under the knife. Four weeks before my surgery my wife took me to a Bed and Breakfast on the Canadian side of Lake Huron to relax. We went to the niceest restaurant in town, sort of British if you know what I mean. They brought out all of the meals on a cart for you to see them. I could have done without the Kidney Pie being on the cart.

A few years from now you can laugh and joke about the upcoming experience. For now you probably feel as I did then. Get the little bugger out as soon as possible.

Best wishes,

Icemantoo

ams123

Me too
Hi Kat - just wanted to say I in somewhat the same situation. I found out last month that I have a 3cm tumor in my left kidney and my surgery is 9/9, four days before yours. Maybe we can recover together, through the internet. I am having robotic laparoscopic surgery, well that is the plan now, it might change. I am having an MRI today so the surgeon can get a better look at how the tumor is in relation to the major artery and vein that are in there. I am hoping he can save part of my kidney. Are you having a partial?

For some reason I haven't been scared throughout this whole process. Everyone says I am either in shock or denial, but I feel lucky. My doctor sent me for an ultrasound and that is how it was found. It was caught very early, and I can live fine with one kidney, and I am healthy otherwise, so I will recover from surgery in a month or two, and then that is it! Maybe I am in shock or denial, or maybe I am just confident in what people are telling me. Who knows?

How are you doing emotionally now that it has sunk in a bit?

Linda

LFocus

Kidney Cancer
Hi I was told the same thing with my Dr. and I'm going to see another Dr. to find out why can't I get the da vinci surgery or a partial nephrectomy. The 1st Dr wants to take the entire kidney out the size is 3.7cm reading from the CT scan. I feel for you! cause I haven't had the change to stop to think how in the world has this cancer come upon me and not know it was there. The kidney cancer was found accidently looking ulcer?? I'm glad it was found early..As with you let's not let cancer beat us down..We will make it!! We are in God's hand and He is in control of all things..Prayer will be our answer..I pray that you get all the answers you need and that whatever your choices are they will make you a winner!!! God Bless..

KatfromFlorida

ams123 said:

Me too
Hi Kat - just wanted to say I in somewhat the same situation. I found out last month that I have a 3cm tumor in my left kidney and my surgery is 9/9, four days before yours. Maybe we can recover together, through the internet. I am having robotic laparoscopic surgery, well that is the plan now, it might change. I am having an MRI today so the surgeon can get a better look at how the tumor is in relation to the major artery and vein that are in there. I am hoping he can save part of my kidney. Are you having a partial?

For some reason I haven't been scared throughout this whole process. Everyone says I am either in shock or denial, but I feel lucky. My doctor sent me for an ultrasound and that is how it was found. It was caught very early, and I can live fine with one kidney, and I am healthy otherwise, so I will recover from surgery in a month or two, and then that is it! Maybe I am in shock or denial, or maybe I am just confident in what people are telling me. Who knows?

How are you doing emotionally now that it has sunk in a bit?

Linda

Emotionally? hmmm.....
Dear Ams:

Sorry to hear that you too are joining our little group but honestly , this is a wonderful place to learn and find support. The people here are incredible and amazing.
After the initial shock of learning about my cancer, I went online and read some really horrible stories about it and THANK GOD I found this spot.
It took me a couple of weeks to work through the initial shock, then with the support I have received here I have found some peace. It is what it is. Right now with the surgery still a few weeks away, I have moments where I wonder what the future holds but overall I think that I am pretty calm about all of it. Reading up on the disease and hearing how others have dealt with it is truly a godsend.
The really scary part for me right now is not knowing what kind of cancer and what stage it is until after the surgery. All of that is assumed until the surgery is completed and the tests are finalized. The pain that sent me to the doctor initially is still there and I am taking pain medication for that until the surgery is done.
When they did my first ct scan the results said my spleen was enlarged and my gallbladder distended but no gallstones and that my liver had some fatty deposits. I'm not sure what any of that means and still have pain in the upper part of my stomach area around my liver so I was really shocked that it was due to a tumor on my kidney. Is it related? I don't know. My family doctor doesn't seem to feel its due to something else but they never tell you all of what they think anyway. It would be great if you wish to correspond during recovery , I am here pretty regularly these days. I wish you much love and success with your surgery and know you are in my prayers as well.
Many Hugs
My Best
Kat

BG

KatfromFlorida said:

Emotionally? hmmm.....
Dear Ams:

Sorry to hear that you too are joining our little group but honestly , this is a wonderful place to learn and find support. The people here are incredible and amazing.
After the initial shock of learning about my cancer, I went online and read some really horrible stories about it and THANK GOD I found this spot.
It took me a couple of weeks to work through the initial shock, then with the support I have received here I have found some peace. It is what it is. Right now with the surgery still a few weeks away, I have moments where I wonder what the future holds but overall I think that I am pretty calm about all of it. Reading up on the disease and hearing how others have dealt with it is truly a godsend.
The really scary part for me right now is not knowing what kind of cancer and what stage it is until after the surgery. All of that is assumed until the surgery is completed and the tests are finalized. The pain that sent me to the doctor initially is still there and I am taking pain medication for that until the surgery is done.
When they did my first ct scan the results said my spleen was enlarged and my gallbladder distended but no gallstones and that my liver had some fatty deposits. I'm not sure what any of that means and still have pain in the upper part of my stomach area around my liver so I was really shocked that it was due to a tumor on my kidney. Is it related? I don't know. My family doctor doesn't seem to feel its due to something else but they never tell you all of what they think anyway. It would be great if you wish to correspond during recovery , I am here pretty regularly these days. I wish you much love and success with your surgery and know you are in my prayers as well.
Many Hugs
My Best
Kat

Hi Kat, I went in for a
Hi Kat, I went in for a liver scan due to elevated liver enzymes, and they found the same thing with me, fatty deposits in my liver, oh, and also the kidney tumor. When my doctor called and told me about the tumor, he also mentioned the fattly liver thing, I totally blocked it out and said I'm not worried about that, whats this about the tumor.

I'm 4 weeks post partial nephrectomy, and the next thing to adress is the liver thing, I think it has to do with me loosing some weight, reducing sugar intake and keeping the sugar level stable, and also eating better. I take cholesterol medicine and know that can cause elevated liver enzymes, thats the next chapter though.

I wish you all well.

Brent