3" mass in kidney.

robert_douglas_smith

rae_rae said:

Are you in Michigan by
Are you in Michigan by chance?

No, Georgia

No, Georgia

robert_douglas_smith

Surgery scheduled
The urologist will be doing a laproscopic nephrectomy on October the 25th at Rockdale Medical center. I will have to stay in the hospital a minimum of one day, with four to six weeks recovery at home.

icemantoo

robert_douglas_smith said:

Surgery scheduled
The urologist will be doing a laproscopic nephrectomy on October the 25th at Rockdale Medical center. I will have to stay in the hospital a minimum of one day, with four to six weeks recovery at home.

Sounds like....
Doug,

Sounds like what they told me going in. You are not going to feel like going home after only 1 day. Once you get home you will be on the couch for 7 to 10 days and then you may feel like doing stuff for an hour or 2 a day.



Best wishes,

Icemantoo

garym

icemantoo said:

Sounds like....
Doug,

Sounds like what they told me going in. You are not going to feel like going home after only 1 day. Once you get home you will be on the couch for 7 to 10 days and then you may feel like doing stuff for an hour or 2 a day.



Best wishes,

Icemantoo

Pre & post op...
Hi Doug,

Pre-op mental state and physical condition plays a big role in the recovery from this procedure. If you already watch what you eat and exercise regularly then concentrate even more on it the next two weeks, it helps keep the inner demons at bay. If you don't have a diet and exercise program then I encourage you to start one now, anything you can do between now and surgery will pay dividends post op. Even taking a brisk walk daily will be worth it in the end. A low sodium and low protein diet will help your remaining kidney, this is a good time to experiment with that as well.

The sooner you are on your feet following surgery the sooner you will be able to go home so my advice is start preparing for that today. That first post-op walk can be a challenge because of all the extra tubes and bags and such that have to go with you but don't let that stop you, its the quickest way home. Once you get home, start slow and build gradually, you'll be back to your old self before you know it.

Okay, enough preaching, we're here if you need us.

Good luck and God speed,

Gary

neenee3

Almost in the same boat
I to have just been diagnosed with kidney cancer. I just found out on September 30th. I had blood in my urine on two different occasions. The first time I saw it I questioned it, the second time a week later, I got right into the doctor, have not had it since. Had a CT done and that's how mine was found. Mine is 8cm and is between a stage 2 and 3. I have surgery scheduled here on the November 1st but went down to UCLA for a second opinion. I will be scheduled this week for the surgery down there. Once I have it scheduled down there I will cancel the surgery here. I also meet with an Oncologist who will treat me if needed. He ordered an MRI of my brain, chest CT, and a bone scan to check for cancer elsewhere. I've already had the abdominal CT, EKG and chest X-ray. I am still walking around dazed by this whole thing. I've never had any kind of health issue. Take no medication of any kind. I'm only 53! My husband and I have been on an emotional roller coaster but this forum has been such a blessing! Take care and know you're not ALONE!!! My prayers are with you and yours.

robert_douglas_smith

neenee3 said:

Almost in the same boat
I to have just been diagnosed with kidney cancer. I just found out on September 30th. I had blood in my urine on two different occasions. The first time I saw it I questioned it, the second time a week later, I got right into the doctor, have not had it since. Had a CT done and that's how mine was found. Mine is 8cm and is between a stage 2 and 3. I have surgery scheduled here on the November 1st but went down to UCLA for a second opinion. I will be scheduled this week for the surgery down there. Once I have it scheduled down there I will cancel the surgery here. I also meet with an Oncologist who will treat me if needed. He ordered an MRI of my brain, chest CT, and a bone scan to check for cancer elsewhere. I've already had the abdominal CT, EKG and chest X-ray. I am still walking around dazed by this whole thing. I've never had any kind of health issue. Take no medication of any kind. I'm only 53! My husband and I have been on an emotional roller coaster but this forum has been such a blessing! Take care and know you're not ALONE!!! My prayers are with you and yours.

Thanks to all
I thank all for your encouraging words. I'm doing my best to keep a positive outlook on the surgery and recovery. And knowingly need everyone's support during that time. Thanks again.

ripper

robert_douglas_smith said:

Thanks to all
I thank all for your encouraging words. I'm doing my best to keep a positive outlook on the surgery and recovery. And knowingly need everyone's support during that time. Thanks again.

Keep busy
Doug,

What really helped me when I found out in the middle of May that 2 weeks later, I was going in for surgery was to stay busy. I did yard work everyday possible, fixed the loose hinges on doors, change furnace filters, etc... I pretty much went from room to room and looked for at least 1 thing in each room to attend to. Boy was I sure glad I did as I sat around and took it easy for the next 5 weeks after surgery. It did 2 things for me. It kept my mind off the pending surgery and it allowed me to have some peace of mind while on the mend. Food for thought. Riper

ripper

robert_douglas_smith said:

Thanks to all
I thank all for your encouraging words. I'm doing my best to keep a positive outlook on the surgery and recovery. And knowingly need everyone's support during that time. Thanks again.

Keep busy
Doug,

What really helped me when I found out in the middle of May that 2 weeks later, I was going in for surgery was to stay busy. I did yard work everyday possible, fixed the loose hinges on doors, change furnace filters, etc... I pretty much went from room to room and looked for at least 1 thing in each room to attend to. Boy was I sure glad I did as I sat around and took it easy for the next 5 weeks after surgery. It did 2 things for me. It kept my mind off the pending surgery and it allowed me to have some peace of mind while on the mend. Food for thought. Ripper

ripper

robert_douglas_smith said:

Thanks to all
I thank all for your encouraging words. I'm doing my best to keep a positive outlook on the surgery and recovery. And knowingly need everyone's support during that time. Thanks again.

Keep busy
Doug,

What really helped me when I found out in the middle of May that 2 weeks later, I was going in for surgery was to stay busy. I did yard work everyday possible, fixed the loose hinges on doors, change furnace filters, etc... I pretty much went from room to room and looked for at least 1 thing in each room to attend to. Boy was I sure glad I did as I sat around and took it easy for the next 5 weeks after surgery. It did 2 things for me. It kept my mind off the pending surgery and it allowed me to have some peace of mind while on the mend. Food for thought. Ripper

robert_douglas_smith

ripper said:

Keep busy
Doug,

What really helped me when I found out in the middle of May that 2 weeks later, I was going in for surgery was to stay busy. I did yard work everyday possible, fixed the loose hinges on doors, change furnace filters, etc... I pretty much went from room to room and looked for at least 1 thing in each room to attend to. Boy was I sure glad I did as I sat around and took it easy for the next 5 weeks after surgery. It did 2 things for me. It kept my mind off the pending surgery and it allowed me to have some peace of mind while on the mend. Food for thought. Ripper

Keeping Busy
Thanks ripper.

That't exactly what I've been doing for the past few days. I have a small hobby farm, have been cutting wood and splitting for fire wood, repairing fences and tending to our llamas. Also been working on honey-do list. Plus I'm trying too walk at least a mile every day, really something I should have already been doing.

Again Thanks,
Doug

Another1bites back

robert_douglas_smith said:

Keeping Busy
Thanks ripper.

That't exactly what I've been doing for the past few days. I have a small hobby farm, have been cutting wood and splitting for fire wood, repairing fences and tending to our llamas. Also been working on honey-do list. Plus I'm trying too walk at least a mile every day, really something I should have already been doing.

Again Thanks,
Doug

Me too!
CT lungs and bladder scopped in a couple hours! Follow up with doc a couple hours later! Then I will know where I stand. Should get a surgery date soon. How are you doing now????

robert_douglas_smith

Another1bites back said:

Me too!
CT lungs and bladder scopped in a couple hours! Follow up with doc a couple hours later! Then I will know where I stand. Should get a surgery date soon. How are you doing now????

prelab visit
Had my pre-lab-work visit with urologist and hospital yesterday. Still scheduled for surgery next Tuesday the 25th,at Rockdale Medical Center in Conyers Ga.

Visited with my family doctor of 25 years this past Saturday for about an hour. We talked medical topics for 30 minutes. Then talked personal the rest of the time. He said something that really stuck home with me. (He is also a 10 year cancer survivor.) Be where your suppose be, do what your suppose to do and let God take care of doing the healing. So for now that's what I am going to do my best to do. Miracles still happen everyday. Live everyday as if it is a gift.

Doug

robert_douglas_smith

icemantoo said:

Sounds like....
Doug,

Sounds like what they told me going in. You are not going to feel like going home after only 1 day. Once you get home you will be on the couch for 7 to 10 days and then you may feel like doing stuff for an hour or 2 a day.



Best wishes,

Icemantoo

iceman your right
Yesterday was told I would be in hospital 2 to3 days.

robert_douglas_smith

icemantoo said:

Sounds like....
Doug,

Sounds like what they told me going in. You are not going to feel like going home after only 1 day. Once you get home you will be on the couch for 7 to 10 days and then you may feel like doing stuff for an hour or 2 a day.



Best wishes,

Icemantoo

iceman your right
Yesterday was told I would be in hospital 2 to 3 days.

Minnesota Girl

robert_douglas_smith said:

prelab visit
Had my pre-lab-work visit with urologist and hospital yesterday. Still scheduled for surgery next Tuesday the 25th,at Rockdale Medical Center in Conyers Ga.

Visited with my family doctor of 25 years this past Saturday for about an hour. We talked medical topics for 30 minutes. Then talked personal the rest of the time. He said something that really stuck home with me. (He is also a 10 year cancer survivor.) Be where your suppose be, do what your suppose to do and let God take care of doing the healing. So for now that's what I am going to do my best to do. Miracles still happen everyday. Live everyday as if it is a gift.

Doug

AMEN!
Good luck on your surgery, Doug. I'm sure you'll do great - just be patient with recovery. I had a hand-assisted laprascopy July 6 and am finally, nearly 100%!

robert_douglas_smith

Minnesota Girl said:

AMEN!
Good luck on your surgery, Doug. I'm sure you'll do great - just be patient with recovery. I had a hand-assisted laprascopy July 6 and am finally, nearly 100%!

Thank you Minnesota Girl,
Thank you Minnesota Girl, Not looking forward to the pain but anxious to get it over with.

Doug

ams123

robert_douglas_smith said:

prelab visit
Had my pre-lab-work visit with urologist and hospital yesterday. Still scheduled for surgery next Tuesday the 25th,at Rockdale Medical Center in Conyers Ga.

Visited with my family doctor of 25 years this past Saturday for about an hour. We talked medical topics for 30 minutes. Then talked personal the rest of the time. He said something that really stuck home with me. (He is also a 10 year cancer survivor.) Be where your suppose be, do what your suppose to do and let God take care of doing the healing. So for now that's what I am going to do my best to do. Miracles still happen everyday. Live everyday as if it is a gift.

Doug

Good luck
Just wanted to wish you the best with your surgery on Tuesday, Doug. I'm sure everything will go fine, and after the first couple of days you'll be on your way to a complete recovery.

Linda

robert_douglas_smith

ams123 said:

Good luck
Just wanted to wish you the best with your surgery on Tuesday, Doug. I'm sure everything will go fine, and after the first couple of days you'll be on your way to a complete recovery.

Linda

Linda
Thank You! Doug

robert_douglas_smith

Waiting on Tuesday.
Surgery 3 days away, have been staying busy and trying to get house in order. Fire wood for wood heater cut and stacked on front porch for wife in case it turns cold. Installed a hand shower-head in shower, already had a shower stool. Moved electric powered recliner out of storage room into bedroom. Going to spend tomorrow making needed repairs at the veterinary clinic were I work part-time. Monday I plan on spending with my two you grand-boys since I probably won't be able to play with them for a little while. Then the big day... Thanks everyone for your advice, words of encouragement and prayers. God willing I'll be fine!!!

Doug

garym

robert_douglas_smith said:

Waiting on Tuesday.
Surgery 3 days away, have been staying busy and trying to get house in order. Fire wood for wood heater cut and stacked on front porch for wife in case it turns cold. Installed a hand shower-head in shower, already had a shower stool. Moved electric powered recliner out of storage room into bedroom. Going to spend tomorrow making needed repairs at the veterinary clinic were I work part-time. Monday I plan on spending with my two you grand-boys since I probably won't be able to play with them for a little while. Then the big day... Thanks everyone for your advice, words of encouragement and prayers. God willing I'll be fine!!!

Doug

Sounds like you are ready...
Hi Doug,

Tomorrow is a big day but it will be over with and you will be on your way to being "normal" again before you know it. I was diagnosed on the 25th two years ago so we have that date in common, it is hard to believe how fast the time has passed. Add my thoughts and prayers to those that support you.

Gary