New to Kidney cancer.

mickf

Hi , I have recently been diagnosed with RCC. I have a 4 cm tumour in my right kidney and my specialist has told me that I need to have a Radical Nephrectomy to remove the kidney. Whilst I am coming to terms with the fact that I have Kidney cancer, I am struggling to come to terms with having to face a major operation. I am anxious to the point of been downright terrified of the prospect. I was wondering if anyone has any insght and experience of the operation and could possibly suggest how I can overcome this fear. I realise that I am in the hands of professionals who know what they are doing but that does not alleviate the fact that I am extremely frightened of the prospect of surgery.

Many Thanks

adman

breathe my friend....

First thing is try and breathe and relax.

Your power the first few weeks will come from your obsession for learning as much about what you have and lining up appointments with ONC Urologists for 2nd & 3rd opinions. I'm sure there are a few people on this thread that can refer you to a few people.
Where are you located?

My tumor was found June 12th. I had my surgery to remove a 6cm mass on my right kidney, July 17th. Don't waste a lot of time. Meet with people, ask questions, and get it done.
Discuss the pros and cons of a partial vs. a full NEPH.
I had a FULL NEPH after contemplating the post surgical risks associated with a partial, due to where mine was located. Your case is yours and unique.

You will receive your pathology report within 1 week of your surgery. With the size of your tumor there is a very good chance you will have a great report because it appears it was caught fairly early. The question is, what type of cancer cells do you have, what grade is it, and are the margins clear.

I have been resting and getting better every day for the past 5 weeks. Don't rush that time.

I am now entering the next phase meeting with nephrologists and oncologists for a post-surgical game plan of testing and monitoring, as well as, learning what I can and can't eat, drink, etc to protect my remaining kidney.

You will be fine, my friend. Again, just learn to breathe, pray if you believe, and listen and learn as much as you can. But remember, everyone, including DR's have an opinion. Medicine is as much art as it is science Find what information works for you, weigh it against all the other data you've absorbed, and make your decision. At some point some of this IS a leap of faith.

I hope this has helped. I'm sure there are some additional peeps on this thread that can also provide some valuable insight to your situation as well.

All the best.

icemantoo

Welcome
micf,

Welcome to our club. I am very happy to be able to welcome newbies and tell them that as a result of your relatively small tumor you have an excellent chance of being cured by the surgery alone. Unfortunatly others start with more baggage and they have a more challanging road ahead.

My story started a little over 10 years ago. Being told at age 59 that you have Kidney Cancer and that you are going to have major surgery is not fun. My surgery was on 8.1.2002 and the little bugger was 4.2 cm. Since than I have had a lot of tests but no further treatment.

As you check out the different posts you will find a lot of us cured by the surgery alone. You will also read the posts of others who came into this with a much more challanging diagnosis. Do not try and contemplate those more difficult situations as from what you wrote you will come out of this fine.

Icemantoo

icemantoo

Welcome
micf,

Welcome to our club. I am very happy to be able to welcome newbies and tell them that as a result of your relatively small tumor you have an excellent chance of being cured by the surgery alone. Unfortunatly others start with more baggage and they have a more challanging road ahead.

My story started a little over 10 years ago. Being told at age 59 that you have Kidney Cancer and that you are going to have major surgery is not fun. My surgery was on 8.1.2002 and the little bugger was 4.2 cm. Since than I have had a lot of tests but no further treatment.

As you check out the different posts you will find a lot of us cured by the surgery alone. You will also read the posts of others who came into this with a much more challanging diagnosis. Do not try and contemplate those more difficult situations as from what you wrote you will come out of this fine.

Icemantoo

adman

breathe my friend....
....

foxhd

adman said:

breathe my friend....

First thing is try and breathe and relax.

Your power the first few weeks will come from your obsession for learning as much about what you have and lining up appointments with ONC Urologists for 2nd & 3rd opinions. I'm sure there are a few people on this thread that can refer you to a few people.
Where are you located?

My tumor was found June 12th. I had my surgery to remove a 6cm mass on my right kidney, July 17th. Don't waste a lot of time. Meet with people, ask questions, and get it done.
Discuss the pros and cons of a partial vs. a full NEPH.
I had a FULL NEPH after contemplating the post surgical risks associated with a partial, due to where mine was located. Your case is yours and unique.

You will receive your pathology report within 1 week of your surgery. With the size of your tumor there is a very good chance you will have a great report because it appears it was caught fairly early. The question is, what type of cancer cells do you have, what grade is it, and are the margins clear.

I have been resting and getting better every day for the past 5 weeks. Don't rush that time.

I am now entering the next phase meeting with nephrologists and oncologists for a post-surgical game plan of testing and monitoring, as well as, learning what I can and can't eat, drink, etc to protect my remaining kidney.

You will be fine, my friend. Again, just learn to breathe, pray if you believe, and listen and learn as much as you can. But remember, everyone, including DR's have an opinion. Medicine is as much art as it is science Find what information works for you, weigh it against all the other data you've absorbed, and make your decision. At some point some of this IS a leap of faith.

I hope this has helped. I'm sure there are some additional peeps on this thread that can also provide some valuable insight to your situation as well.

All the best.

Mick, look at the great
Mick, look at the great advice given by adman. Also keep note that adman has only been on board since last month. Don't dwell on your fears. Plan around your future plans. Read, learn, ask questions. Soon you will be helping others on site. Be assertive in your committant to over come this. Lots of friends here.
Fox

mickf

foxhd said:

Mick, look at the great
Mick, look at the great advice given by adman. Also keep note that adman has only been on board since last month. Don't dwell on your fears. Plan around your future plans. Read, learn, ask questions. Soon you will be helping others on site. Be assertive in your committant to over come this. Lots of friends here.
Fox

Many thanks to those of you
Many thanks to those of you have replied to my post. Adman, I will try to follow your advice and will be positive in coming through this unscathed so to speak

adman

mickf said:

Many thanks to those of you
Many thanks to those of you have replied to my post. Adman, I will try to follow your advice and will be positive in coming through this unscathed so to speak

Be relentless, my friend.....

You are your own best advocate for health.

~M

dl650a

Welcome
Hi mickf,
I've been part of this select group for almost 6 months now. I was diagnosed in Feb and had a radical nephrectomy on March 16. Since then, I've resumed motorcycle riding and camping and trying to enjoy life.

Take care.

Ed

sturner286

Mickf
I gave my kidney up on 9/21/2011 and was given the news on 8/22/2011 it did not bother me to find out I had cancer or so I thought after ther surgery (I had a radical done too) I got depressed and had to get therapy for about 4 month to snap out of it I'm great now no meds needed for the cancer or the depression my advice is to learn all you can about your RCC and talk to your spouse or family members . We are kinda lucky in a messed up way kidney cancer is curable a high percent of the time when I started to feel sorry for myself I looked online and seen all the kids with terminal cancer and how they always have a smile on there face. And living with one kidney has not be any different for me at all

mickf

sturner286 said:

Mickf
I gave my kidney up on 9/21/2011 and was given the news on 8/22/2011 it did not bother me to find out I had cancer or so I thought after ther surgery (I had a radical done too) I got depressed and had to get therapy for about 4 month to snap out of it I'm great now no meds needed for the cancer or the depression my advice is to learn all you can about your RCC and talk to your spouse or family members . We are kinda lucky in a messed up way kidney cancer is curable a high percent of the time when I started to feel sorry for myself I looked online and seen all the kids with terminal cancer and how they always have a smile on there face. And living with one kidney has not be any different for me at all

many thanks for your words
many thanks for your words of advice , I can take great comfort in what you say.

James1980

mickf said:

many thanks for your words
many thanks for your words of advice , I can take great comfort in what you say.

Newbie too
Hey Mickf,
I am a newbie too; I was diagnosed just 11 days ago. I have surgery scheduled for 9/12. I can tell you, the people on this forum are amazing. I posted my story, which is so similar to yours, just 2 days ago and received 12 replies encouraging me, making me laugh and basically comforting me. It has helped me in the fact that I do not feel alone anymore. WE are going to get through this.

Prayers to you.
-James