New to Kidney Cancer - dealing with new emotions

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Comments

  • dhs1963
    dhs1963 Member Posts: 513
    #42
    adman said:

    Oy....

    Vey!
    There is some indication that kidney cancer is more common in Ashkanazi Jews.
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    #43
    Texas_wedge said:

    Nu
    A good one but I think you may find a few of us here don't need an introduction to Jewish humour. However, it's the richest vein, so keep 'em coming.

    You asked for it...
    Why do Jewish divorces cost so much?
    They're worth it.

    The Harvard School of Medicine did a study of why Jewish women like Chinese food so much. The study revealed that this is due to the fact that Won Ton spelled backward is Not Now.

    There is a big controversy on the Jewish view of when life begins.
    In Jewish tradition, the fetus is not considered viable until it graduates from medical school.

    Q: Why don't Jewish mothers drink?
    A: Alcohol interferes with their suffering.

    Q: Why do Jewish mothers make great parole officers?
    A: They never let anyone finish a sentence!

    A man called his mother in Florida ,
    "Mom, how are you?"
    " Not too good," said the mother. "I've been very weak."
    The son said, "Why are you so weak?"
    She said, "Because I haven't eaten in 38 days."
    The son said, "That's terrible. Why haven't you eaten in 38 days?"
    The mother answered, "Because I didn't want my mouth to be filled with food if you should call."

    A Jewish boy comes home from school and tells his mother he has a part in the play.
    She asks, "What part is it?"
    The boy says, "I play the part of the Jewish husband."
    "The mother scowls and says, "Go back and tell the teacher you want a speaking part."

    Q: How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a light bulb?
    A: (Sigh) "Don't bother. I'll sit in the dark. I don't want to be a nuisance to anybody."
  • dhs1963
    dhs1963 Member Posts: 513
    #44
    garym said:

    Laughter IS the best medicine...
    Five days after surgery when the doc came in with my pathology report and gave my wife and I the good news, she burst into tears. I turned to her calmly and said "Naa, naa, I told you so!", then I turned to the doc and told him she was hoping for bad news, the tension in the room disappeared instantly and we all had a good laugh.

    My prep for surgery
    This was about two months ago....I was terrified but decided that the proper way to handle it was to make all of the care givers laugh. For example, after they had labeled the back to show which side to cut on, a nurse (probably about my age, late 40's to early 50's) needed to check on the label. I said no you don't...you just want to see my butt. That caught her by surprise.

    The last thing I remember saying before the surgery was no junior mints!
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #45
    dhs1963 said:

    Vey!
    There is some indication that kidney cancer is more common in Ashkanazi Jews.

    Oy, Gevalt!
    Do you have references? I know Afro-Americans are more prone to Papillary and Chromophobe claims a higher proportion of females than other sub-types do, but this is news! References please!
  • Bubbs21
    Bubbs21 Member Posts: 47
    #46
    DMike said:

    Welcome
    Eliezer2,
    I am amazed at the wonderful people I continue to meet/come in contact with because of cancer and this forum. Welcome!
    --David

    Merci Beaucoup.....Thanks a Million
    The momentum on this thread the last few days has been fabulous. The ecletic mix of reserach, jokes and personal experiences riddled with laughter have been great therapy. Most appreciated. Wishing you all a laugh a day and great friendships.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #47
    Bubbs21 said:

    Merci Beaucoup.....Thanks a Million
    The momentum on this thread the last few days has been fabulous. The ecletic mix of reserach, jokes and personal experiences riddled with laughter have been great therapy. Most appreciated. Wishing you all a laugh a day and great friendships.

    Forum benefits
    Yes, it's a healthy mix and we do make some precious friendships!
  • Bubbs21
    Bubbs21 Member Posts: 47
    #48
    Texas_wedge said:

    Forum benefits
    Yes, it's a healthy mix and we do make some precious friendships!

    Life is Good
    A brief recap:
    - results of CT July 19 - 2 two cm tumours deemed likely RCC in lower left kidney
    - Cipralex to help with anxiety
    - partial lap, nephrectomy Nov 7th
    - released from hospital Nov 9th
    - post-op Dec 7th

    I feel blessed to have found the tumours so early and to have had such an easy recovery. I have not used pain meds since leaving the hospital; no significant gas or bowel issues; drink lots of fluids; and walk. My only issue is regaining my endurance/energy and some brain fog.

    The surgeon/oncologist provided me with the results of my path report yesterday:
    - stage T1, grade 2 RCC
    - no or limited margins, but confident he got it all
    I have a CT booked for Feb and a follow-up appointment March 1st. If all goes well, semi-annual ultra sounds to follow.

    This is better than winning the lottery. I just need to work at getting off the Cipralex2 now :). Anyone with experience with coming off cipralex or withdrawal?
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #49
    Bubbs21 said:

    Life is Good
    A brief recap:
    - results of CT July 19 - 2 two cm tumours deemed likely RCC in lower left kidney
    - Cipralex to help with anxiety
    - partial lap, nephrectomy Nov 7th
    - released from hospital Nov 9th
    - post-op Dec 7th

    I feel blessed to have found the tumours so early and to have had such an easy recovery. I have not used pain meds since leaving the hospital; no significant gas or bowel issues; drink lots of fluids; and walk. My only issue is regaining my endurance/energy and some brain fog.

    The surgeon/oncologist provided me with the results of my path report yesterday:
    - stage T1, grade 2 RCC
    - no or limited margins, but confident he got it all
    I have a CT booked for Feb and a follow-up appointment March 1st. If all goes well, semi-annual ultra sounds to follow.

    This is better than winning the lottery. I just need to work at getting off the Cipralex2 now :). Anyone with experience with coming off cipralex or withdrawal?

    Life is Good!
    ....and you HAVE won the lottery!
  • DMike
    DMike Member Posts: 259
    #50
    Bubbs21 said:

    Life is Good
    A brief recap:
    - results of CT July 19 - 2 two cm tumours deemed likely RCC in lower left kidney
    - Cipralex to help with anxiety
    - partial lap, nephrectomy Nov 7th
    - released from hospital Nov 9th
    - post-op Dec 7th

    I feel blessed to have found the tumours so early and to have had such an easy recovery. I have not used pain meds since leaving the hospital; no significant gas or bowel issues; drink lots of fluids; and walk. My only issue is regaining my endurance/energy and some brain fog.

    The surgeon/oncologist provided me with the results of my path report yesterday:
    - stage T1, grade 2 RCC
    - no or limited margins, but confident he got it all
    I have a CT booked for Feb and a follow-up appointment March 1st. If all goes well, semi-annual ultra sounds to follow.

    This is better than winning the lottery. I just need to work at getting off the Cipralex2 now :). Anyone with experience with coming off cipralex or withdrawal?

    Good News!
    Great to hear you're doing so well after surgery. I see you're following Gary's 2 W's - walking and water - they'll both help with recovery. I hope everything continues to go well!
    --David
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #51
    DMike said:

    Good News!
    Great to hear you're doing so well after surgery. I see you're following Gary's 2 W's - walking and water - they'll both help with recovery. I hope everything continues to go well!
    --David

    Bubbs,

    Sounds like you are on the way to a long life free of RCC. Beacause of your earlier BP issues it is even more important that the high BP be contained as high blood pressure along with age and missing a a kidney or part of one each negatively effect kidney function and low kidney function can effect your heart. You may want to get a referral to a nephrologist to address these issues in the long term.


    Icemantoo
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #52
    icemantoo said:

    Bubbs,

    Sounds like you are on the way to a long life free of RCC. Beacause of your earlier BP issues it is even more important that the high BP be contained as high blood pressure along with age and missing a a kidney or part of one each negatively effect kidney function and low kidney function can effect your heart. You may want to get a referral to a nephrologist to address these issues in the long term.


    Icemantoo

    BP issues
    iceman, I know you benefited from taking the initiative and going to see a nephrologist but I'm interested in why you suggest a nephrologist rather than a cardiologist. A cardiologist pointed Bubbs in the right direction originally. Kidneys have a critical role in maintaining BP but there are many other factors that affect BP and I'd have thought someone better equipped to take a wider view might be a good idea.

    This isn't purely an academic question. It's a matter of interest to me not only for Bubbs but also for myself since I now have significantly elevated BP on Votrient.
  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    #53
    Texas_wedge said:

    BP issues
    iceman, I know you benefited from taking the initiative and going to see a nephrologist but I'm interested in why you suggest a nephrologist rather than a cardiologist. A cardiologist pointed Bubbs in the right direction originally. Kidneys have a critical role in maintaining BP but there are many other factors that affect BP and I'd have thought someone better equipped to take a wider view might be a good idea.

    This isn't purely an academic question. It's a matter of interest to me not only for Bubbs but also for myself since I now have significantly elevated BP on Votrient.

    TW, is the bp being
    TW, is the bp being controlled with pressure meds? This is one factor in the Votrient and i hear Sutent as well. If it is not being controlled, will they consider lowering your dose a bit? Just wondering what your options are. Otherwise how are you feeling? How are your liver tests and all? I hope you feel better and your pain continues to diminish. XXOO
  • Bubbs21
    Bubbs21 Member Posts: 47
    #54
    icemantoo said:

    Bubbs,

    Sounds like you are on the way to a long life free of RCC. Beacause of your earlier BP issues it is even more important that the high BP be contained as high blood pressure along with age and missing a a kidney or part of one each negatively effect kidney function and low kidney function can effect your heart. You may want to get a referral to a nephrologist to address these issues in the long term.


    Icemantoo

    BP Issues
    Firstly, thank you all for your good wishes.

    I have been monitoring my BP as this was a significant issue last year and what lead to the RCC finding. Since my release from the hospital my BP has been consistantly 120/70 plus or minus 3. In fact my cardiologist and oncologist/urologist both thought that the tumour removal would assist in better regulating my BP. I have been off all BP related meds since August....It is good to feel normal...or as as good as normal gets for 48 year old women :)

    I may have spoken to early, when I announced an easy recovery. The last 3 days have been different. I tire easily. I have had an afternoon nap the last 3 days and feel like something is stretching or torn internally in the kidney area. My surgeon is away this week, so I am off to see my GP later this week. Got my fingers crossed that it's just part of the healing process.

    Wishing you all well and a happy holiday season...
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #55
    Bubbs21 said:

    BP Issues
    Firstly, thank you all for your good wishes.

    I have been monitoring my BP as this was a significant issue last year and what lead to the RCC finding. Since my release from the hospital my BP has been consistantly 120/70 plus or minus 3. In fact my cardiologist and oncologist/urologist both thought that the tumour removal would assist in better regulating my BP. I have been off all BP related meds since August....It is good to feel normal...or as as good as normal gets for 48 year old women :)

    I may have spoken to early, when I announced an easy recovery. The last 3 days have been different. I tire easily. I have had an afternoon nap the last 3 days and feel like something is stretching or torn internally in the kidney area. My surgeon is away this week, so I am off to see my GP later this week. Got my fingers crossed that it's just part of the healing process.

    Wishing you all well and a happy holiday season...

    BP Issues
    Nephrologist v Cardio;ogisr.

    From my experience neither my Uroogist or GP were as aggressive in monitoring my BP issues as was my Nephrologist. Additionally when I had Gout and when I hurt my knee bad it was the Nephro;ogist who let me go on a limited amount of Advil (which I needed) for a limited amount of days. Additionally my Nephro;ogist has so far passed on the medications ordered by my ENT and Orthopedic Surgeon. I suppose a Cardio;ogist could do the same, but I have never had to see one yet and my one kidney puts me in a different risk group.


    Icemantoo
  • Bubbs21
    Bubbs21 Member Posts: 47
    #56
    Bubbs21 said:

    Life is Good
    A brief recap:
    - results of CT July 19 - 2 two cm tumours deemed likely RCC in lower left kidney
    - Cipralex to help with anxiety
    - partial lap, nephrectomy Nov 7th
    - released from hospital Nov 9th
    - post-op Dec 7th

    I feel blessed to have found the tumours so early and to have had such an easy recovery. I have not used pain meds since leaving the hospital; no significant gas or bowel issues; drink lots of fluids; and walk. My only issue is regaining my endurance/energy and some brain fog.

    The surgeon/oncologist provided me with the results of my path report yesterday:
    - stage T1, grade 2 RCC
    - no or limited margins, but confident he got it all
    I have a CT booked for Feb and a follow-up appointment March 1st. If all goes well, semi-annual ultra sounds to follow.

    This is better than winning the lottery. I just need to work at getting off the Cipralex2 now :). Anyone with experience with coming off cipralex or withdrawal?

    Two steps Backward

    As you know my post-op recovery was uneventfull and I returned to work 5 weeks post-op.  By the end of the first week I was having left flank pain.  A trip to the surgeon and a CT showed no issues.  The advice was to take Tylenol and suck it up.  The pain has been recurring and escalating to the point of being non-stop and @ 8 when resting or a 10 with the slightest movement.   The pain has been debilitating, and greatly reduced my walking.  A trip to ER, various tests and the good news is there are no complications. However, there is significant swelling and scar tissue.  So  I am off work for 10 days, on hydromorphone every 4 hours, and anti-inflammatories to get the swelling and pain under control. 

    Recovery is definately not linear.  No one said this would be easy.

     

  • dhs1963
    dhs1963 Member Posts: 513
    #57
    Bubbs21 said:

    Two steps Backward

    As you know my post-op recovery was uneventfull and I returned to work 5 weeks post-op.  By the end of the first week I was having left flank pain.  A trip to the surgeon and a CT showed no issues.  The advice was to take Tylenol and suck it up.  The pain has been recurring and escalating to the point of being non-stop and @ 8 when resting or a 10 with the slightest movement.   The pain has been debilitating, and greatly reduced my walking.  A trip to ER, various tests and the good news is there are no complications. However, there is significant swelling and scar tissue.  So  I am off work for 10 days, on hydromorphone every 4 hours, and anti-inflammatories to get the swelling and pain under control. 

    Recovery is definately not linear.  No one said this would be easy.

     

    Good luck with everything

    I can not speak for anyone but myself.  My recovery was rough.  First, I got a fever while in the hospital, which kept me in for a extra couple of days.  Then, at two weeks, the incision site started bleeding.  At about 4 weeks, it got infected.  Then things started getting better. 

    I returned to work at 9 weeks, and quickly thought things were behind me.  At 12 weeks, I was basically back at 100% of activity level, including coaching soccer.  That was a mistake.  Pain started increasing.  By 15 weeks, I could barely move.  Dr. advised me to scale back the activity, which I did.  

    By the six month scans, I was feeling good.  Still pain at the incision, but good energy, and everything was normal (until the scan results came in....effin lung met or primary lung cancer, awaiting biopsy results).

    Today is seven months post surgery.  I am getting ready for another surgery to remove a 3 cm mass.  I bent over to get something under the table, and a muscle at the incision site went into spasm.  7 or 8 out of 10.  It only lasted a few minutes.

    I feel the best I have since pre-nephrectomy.  (that will change in a few weeks).  My point is, it is a long recovery.  It will take time.  But you will feel better.

     

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