Just found out I have Kidney cancer

garym

lovinlife23 said:

I too have just been
I too have just been diagnosed with kidney cancer. They found a 4 cm tumor in the upper pole region of my left kidney so they will be removing my entire kidney. My surgery is scheduled for May 21. I am so thankful that the cancer has not spread to any other organs. All the research I have done tells me that rcc is more common in men in their 50's. I am a 30 year old female so I was a little shocked when I researched this disease. However, I feel more comfortable to research what I am facing so I can understand it more when my doctor explains things to me.

Don't feel bad if you don't know the terminology, as this is a learning process for all of us as we go through this. When is your surgery scheduled for?
Take care.

Welcome to the club...
lovinlife23,

Hi, I'm one of the lucky age 50+ males you spoke of, I'm now 61 and over 2-1/2 years post surgery, I wish this club were exclusive to only us, but as you now know this is not the case. Soooo... welcome to the club, your official initiation isn't scheduled until May 21, but in the meantime hang out here and read the stories of your fellow club members. As you will see, this is a good place to come for answers, advice, or just to vent to an understanding ear. We'll help you anyway we can.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Gary

250xcfw

250xcfw said:

Going in Tuesday for pre op
Hopefully I'll have all my question answered and a date set to get this over with. I have alot of plans this summer and these surgeries are getting in the way of my summer. I'm trying to put a positive spin on this and use this time to spend with my son and take some time off work. My wife has me working like crazy trying to get all the heavy yard work done before I go in. I'd better go the pool needs cleaned and I need to dig a hole for a tree. I think her plan is to kill the cancer through working it to death.

John

Pre Op info
Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday for the partial nepfrectomy ( less than 5% removal) first and 3 weeks later for the radical nepfrectomy on the second kidney. The reason they do the partial first is to make sure the kidney is working good before they remove the other.
I also found out why my kidney function was so good. It’s because I have 3 arteries for each kidney. That’s my story for today.

John

icemantoo

garym said:

Welcome to the club...
lovinlife23,

Hi, I'm one of the lucky age 50+ males you spoke of, I'm now 61 and over 2-1/2 years post surgery, I wish this club were exclusive to only us, but as you now know this is not the case. Soooo... welcome to the club, your official initiation isn't scheduled until May 21, but in the meantime hang out here and read the stories of your fellow club members. As you will see, this is a good place to come for answers, advice, or just to vent to an understanding ear. We'll help you anyway we can.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Gary

Welcome
Lovinlife23,

We do not discriminate. It is not all older men in our club like garym, Tex and myself. Over the last year we have had a handful of young ladies in their late 20's and early thirties join us. As I recall all of these youngins are doing fine. You have a good diagnosis and we need younger blood to help the newcomers as we older men get older. Next week will be a little rough, but we have all gone thru this initiation. My diagnosis date was 10 years ago this month. You will be there in notime.

Icemantoo

icemantoo

250xcfw said:

Pre Op info
Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday for the partial nepfrectomy ( less than 5% removal) first and 3 weeks later for the radical nepfrectomy on the second kidney. The reason they do the partial first is to make sure the kidney is working good before they remove the other.
I also found out why my kidney function was so good. It’s because I have 3 arteries for each kidney. That’s my story for today.

John

Good luck
John,

You seem to be taking your diagnosis of having RCC in both kidneys remarkably well. Hopefully your partial next week will go well. If it does your nepherectomy to follow will be a piece of cake.

Icemantoo

Texas_wedge

250xcfw said:

Pre Op info
Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday for the partial nepfrectomy ( less than 5% removal) first and 3 weeks later for the radical nepfrectomy on the second kidney. The reason they do the partial first is to make sure the kidney is working good before they remove the other.
I also found out why my kidney function was so good. It’s because I have 3 arteries for each kidney. That’s my story for today.

John

Pre Op info
[Duplicate posting - there doesn't seem to be a way of completely deleting a posting if you've unintentionally posted twice. Does anyone know better ? If so, please educate the rest of us.]

Texas_wedge

250xcfw said:

Pre Op info
Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday for the partial nepfrectomy ( less than 5% removal) first and 3 weeks later for the radical nepfrectomy on the second kidney. The reason they do the partial first is to make sure the kidney is working good before they remove the other.
I also found out why my kidney function was so good. It’s because I have 3 arteries for each kidney. That’s my story for today.

John

Pre Op info
John, as iceman says, you're handling this very well which is bound to help you recover more quickly.

Thanks for explaining the timing of the procedures. I can buy into the logic of the explanation to some extent although I would have guessed that they would have wanted to reduce the tumour burden by eliminating the large tumour first. You've been given a clear justification for doing it the other way round. I just wonder what they would plan to do if your better kidney wasn't performing well. I suppose they would defer doing the nephrectomy for the time being, to allow your more damaged kidney to keep sharing the load until the other one improved. The fact that such improvement can be achieved is cheering information.

Fortunately that's all a bit theoretical. You're up for it; you have the advantage of your exceptionally good renal blood supply; there is a very good success rate for partial nephrectomies; they're only taking a very small part of your better kidney - so you're going to do fine. It's still nearly a week to go but in case I don't get the chance to do so closer to time, I take the opportunity now to wish you success with the smaller op on Wednesday and the bigger one to follow.

250xcfw

lovinlife23 said:

I too have just been
I too have just been diagnosed with kidney cancer. They found a 4 cm tumor in the upper pole region of my left kidney so they will be removing my entire kidney. My surgery is scheduled for May 21. I am so thankful that the cancer has not spread to any other organs. All the research I have done tells me that rcc is more common in men in their 50's. I am a 30 year old female so I was a little shocked when I researched this disease. However, I feel more comfortable to research what I am facing so I can understand it more when my doctor explains things to me.

Don't feel bad if you don't know the terminology, as this is a learning process for all of us as we go through this. When is your surgery scheduled for?
Take care.

You definitely don't fit the bill
I was hoping I had a few more years in me before I needed to start talking about all my ailments other than sports injuries. Cancer makes even less sense when you don’t fit the standard criteria.
My Dr told me the average age was 65 for men to get kidney cancer so most of the statistics are based on this and that new treatment and procedures come out daily.
My surgery is on Wednesday the 23rd so I’ll race you to recovery even though you’re younger than me by 10 years.

Good luck
John

Fishknees

250xcfw said:

You definitely don't fit the bill
I was hoping I had a few more years in me before I needed to start talking about all my ailments other than sports injuries. Cancer makes even less sense when you don’t fit the standard criteria.
My Dr told me the average age was 65 for men to get kidney cancer so most of the statistics are based on this and that new treatment and procedures come out daily.
My surgery is on Wednesday the 23rd so I’ll race you to recovery even though you’re younger than me by 10 years.

Good luck
John

Sorry!
Sorry John!
Sounds like we have a real epidemic going on right now. It was semi=quit for a while. The folks will take good care of you.
Fishie

250xcfw

Fishknees said:

Sorry!
Sorry John!
Sounds like we have a real epidemic going on right now. It was semi=quit for a while. The folks will take good care of you.
Fishie

Never quit!
I was doing an endurance offroad motorcycle race yesterday and it gives you time think about life and death. I see people who give up because it's to difficult or just because they can't win. I've got blisters, bruises, scrapes, sore muscles and was wishing it would hurry up and end. When you look at it, it's not much different than life. When the pain gos away you start to think that wasn't so bad I could do that again. My goal yesterday was to finish and enjoy the day with good friends talking about how close we came to winning over a cold beer. I did everything I set out to do and feel good about it. My next race will be on Wednesday when I have surgery. I know the outcome will be same banged up and bruised but a sense of accomplishment.
The way I see it is we all can't win but we still need to get to the finish line and be happy with how we got there.

John
Sorry for the rambling.

Limelife50

250xcfw said:

Never quit!
I was doing an endurance offroad motorcycle race yesterday and it gives you time think about life and death. I see people who give up because it's to difficult or just because they can't win. I've got blisters, bruises, scrapes, sore muscles and was wishing it would hurry up and end. When you look at it, it's not much different than life. When the pain gos away you start to think that wasn't so bad I could do that again. My goal yesterday was to finish and enjoy the day with good friends talking about how close we came to winning over a cold beer. I did everything I set out to do and feel good about it. My next race will be on Wednesday when I have surgery. I know the outcome will be same banged up and bruised but a sense of accomplishment.
The way I see it is we all can't win but we still need to get to the finish line and be happy with how we got there.

John
Sorry for the rambling.

Hey its cool John
It has been 7 months for me and i am still trying to come to terms with the fact that life the way i knew it was ripped away from me,now its time for you to take a little break and focus on what is neccesary and that is to achieve full recovery and even though we are changed forevever life will return to normal,you will have plenty of races to win later and will be able to celebrate your victorys over a few cold ones,i hope for the best outcome on your upcoming surgery so hang tough and keep us posted

foxhd

Limelife50 said:

Hey its cool John
It has been 7 months for me and i am still trying to come to terms with the fact that life the way i knew it was ripped away from me,now its time for you to take a little break and focus on what is neccesary and that is to achieve full recovery and even though we are changed forevever life will return to normal,you will have plenty of races to win later and will be able to celebrate your victorys over a few cold ones,i hope for the best outcome on your upcoming surgery so hang tough and keep us posted

Quit?, I don't think so
You are right John. Full speed ahead! you won't catch my **** sitting around waiting for the end. If it is coming, then, it has got to come and chase me down.

250xcfw

foxhd said:

Quit?, I don't think so
You are right John. Full speed ahead! you won't catch my **** sitting around waiting for the end. If it is coming, then, it has got to come and chase me down.

Small break
Foxhd
Right on, I plan to use the time after surgery to plan for the future not dwell in the past and feel sorry for myself.
A group of friends stayed with me this weekend and we're still planning a trip to do the Baja 500 race in a year or two.
I'll email again after surgery in a couple of days.

Thanks everyone,
John

garym

250xcfw said:

Small break
Foxhd
Right on, I plan to use the time after surgery to plan for the future not dwell in the past and feel sorry for myself.
A group of friends stayed with me this weekend and we're still planning a trip to do the Baja 500 race in a year or two.
I'll email again after surgery in a couple of days.

Thanks everyone,
John

Just a bump in the road...
John,

Good luck with the surgery and recovery, you have a great attitude and spirit which will serve you well. It will all be little more than an unpleasant memory before you know it.

Looking forward to hearing from you afterwards,

Gary

bonitoweiy282

lbinmsp said:

Hello and welcome.
OK - if I'm reading your post correctly - they found tumors in BOTH kidneys - resulting in a full nephrectomy on the left and a smaller tumor on the right resulting in a 'partial' of sorts there.
Wow! You do know how to 'make an entrance' don't you? It is good news that they haven't found it anywhere else. Besides continuing to see your surgeon and/or oncologist and receive regular, thorough followup, I think I'd recommend finding a good nephrologist sooner than later. I think I'd like one person whose only job was to keep that remaining kidney super healthy.

Keep doing your research - both online and here. Jot down every question you want answers to and keep an ongoing list. Take it to your doctor at every visit - and lastly, obtain your own copies of every scan you've had (or will have) along with every report. Include blood work results as well. You never know when you may want these things for future use. Also, they'll be a great jumping off point for yet MORE questions.

Everyone here is on your side - holding you up. Prayers always.

LizB

Hi, John
Hell John,

Sorry to hear about the news. You will learn more words in this club. When will you have a surgery? You can tell me more about your information. This is a very supportive group of people. We all help each other. Just fight together.


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lovinlife23

garym said:

Welcome to the club...
lovinlife23,

Hi, I'm one of the lucky age 50+ males you spoke of, I'm now 61 and over 2-1/2 years post surgery, I wish this club were exclusive to only us, but as you now know this is not the case. Soooo... welcome to the club, your official initiation isn't scheduled until May 21, but in the meantime hang out here and read the stories of your fellow club members. As you will see, this is a good place to come for answers, advice, or just to vent to an understanding ear. We'll help you anyway we can.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Gary

Well I am 10 days post
Well I am 10 days post surgery and am doing quite well. I am up and walking around, even though it is at the speed of a turtle. I believe I am recovering well. My doctor confirmed from the pathology report that it was indeed cancer but he says that I am cancer free since the surgery and should not have anything else to worry about. As this is great news to hear, I am a little scared. Should I go see an oncologist for follow up care just to make sure everything is ok? Just not sure what to do. My urologist is amazing and I am very happy with his care but I can't help but feel as though the surgery is all I need. Is it normal to feel this way? Should I be concerned?

Thanks for any help you can give.

foxhd

lovinlife23 said:

Well I am 10 days post
Well I am 10 days post surgery and am doing quite well. I am up and walking around, even though it is at the speed of a turtle. I believe I am recovering well. My doctor confirmed from the pathology report that it was indeed cancer but he says that I am cancer free since the surgery and should not have anything else to worry about. As this is great news to hear, I am a little scared. Should I go see an oncologist for follow up care just to make sure everything is ok? Just not sure what to do. My urologist is amazing and I am very happy with his care but I can't help but feel as though the surgery is all I need. Is it normal to feel this way? Should I be concerned?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Good for You!
.So glad you are recovering so well. But I would say the concences here is that one SHOULD have an oncologist follow up. Best to be proactive.

icemantoo

lovinlife23 said:

Well I am 10 days post
Well I am 10 days post surgery and am doing quite well. I am up and walking around, even though it is at the speed of a turtle. I believe I am recovering well. My doctor confirmed from the pathology report that it was indeed cancer but he says that I am cancer free since the surgery and should not have anything else to worry about. As this is great news to hear, I am a little scared. Should I go see an oncologist for follow up care just to make sure everything is ok? Just not sure what to do. My urologist is amazing and I am very happy with his care but I can't help but feel as though the surgery is all I need. Is it normal to feel this way? Should I be concerned?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Concern,
Lovinlife23,

Try not to be too concerned as your prognosis is excellent. You will have routine test annually and more often the first 2 years to verify that everything is OK. As for seeing an Oncologist discuss this with your surgeon. If a referral is available and covered by your insurance follow up with it.

Icemantoo

DDBurkhardt

DDBurkhardt said:

I'm in the same situation as
I'm in the same situation as you are. Had an MRI for something totally unrelated and they found a 5.3cm on my left kidney. I'm scheduled to have my left kidney removed on May 22nd. I'm relatively new here also, but it really helps talking to other people in the same situation. The people here are very happy to help you get thru this and they are a wealth of information. When are you scheduled for surgery?

DD

Post surgery
I had my surgery 9 days ago. I had my left kidney removed and the doctor told me the other day that I am completely cancer free. How long does it usually take to totally feel like yourself again. I'm still walking slow and still taking pain pills. I really don't have any energy to do anything. Is this normal? Should I give it another couple of weeks? I realize that everyone is different, but I'm worried that I'm not getting better fast enough.

Thanks

Deb

garym

DDBurkhardt said:

Post surgery
I had my surgery 9 days ago. I had my left kidney removed and the doctor told me the other day that I am completely cancer free. How long does it usually take to totally feel like yourself again. I'm still walking slow and still taking pain pills. I really don't have any energy to do anything. Is this normal? Should I give it another couple of weeks? I realize that everyone is different, but I'm worried that I'm not getting better fast enough.

Thanks

Deb

Post surgery...
Hi Deb,

Most report a return to physical normalcy at around 6 weeks give or take and it sounds like you are about on schedule. At around the 2 week mark things seem to begin improving quickly and your need of meds should be subsiding. Walking and drinking plenty of water help speed the process along.

Mentally you may never feel exactly like yourself again, but in time you will settle in to a "new normal" where your perspective on life and what really matters has changed most likely for the better. Its been 2-1/2 years for me and I saw an old co-worker the other day whom I hadn't seen in 15 years or so. We talked for a bit and he said "I don't remember you being so happy before, what happened?", it is one of the good things that can come from all of this.

Hang in there,

Gary

garym

lovinlife23 said:

Well I am 10 days post
Well I am 10 days post surgery and am doing quite well. I am up and walking around, even though it is at the speed of a turtle. I believe I am recovering well. My doctor confirmed from the pathology report that it was indeed cancer but he says that I am cancer free since the surgery and should not have anything else to worry about. As this is great news to hear, I am a little scared. Should I go see an oncologist for follow up care just to make sure everything is ok? Just not sure what to do. My urologist is amazing and I am very happy with his care but I can't help but feel as though the surgery is all I need. Is it normal to feel this way? Should I be concerned?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Yes, its normal...
ll23,

Good to hear that you are on track for a speedy recovery.

Its been 2-1/2 years for me and I have not seen an oncologist which has worked fine for me, I had an excellent pathology and trust my urologist, but I would advise that you do whatever will make you feel the best mentally and emotionally. If a consult will aid you in a return to "normal" then go for it, a second opinion is not a bad thing and will likely bolster your resolve.

Hang in there,

Gary