ccRcc diagnosed 08/03/2012

Joe_fh

Hello. I have been reading the posts here for a few weeks as I try to get a handle on this whole Renal Cell Carcinoma thing.

I was diagnosed August 3rd with a large mass on my left Kidney 10cm, and ever since then it's been a confusing ride of tests, guesses, and assumptions. I have been trying to learn everything I can about this disease. It's not looking pretty from the Internet reads.

It appears that the cancer is restricted to the renal area. The PET Scan came back only showing that left kidney. The Doctor "seemed" to be happy with that scan result, but to be honest, he does not say much.

They determined they need to get that sucker out of there, and I am scheduled for a radical kidney removal tomorrow morning 11:00 AM. As I understand it, the game plan is to do it with laproscopic surgery, unless a condition on the fly mandates open surgery.

Frankly I am terrified, but put on the "no problem face" in front of the kids. Being a single Dad is hard enough without this complication. Not sure if I am more worried for me or for them. Probably both.

Since Dads are not suppose to whine in front of their kids, I guess I am doing my whining on here.

Digger95

New Kidney Diagnosis
Joe,

Feel free to whine, ****, moan, complain, scream at the heavens, or whatever else you need to do. That's what we're here for! Good luck with the surgery tomorrow and be sure to check back when you can and let us know how you are doing. If they end up doing a full open surgery, just know that it was the best option for you and trust them to make the right decision. That's the surgery I had and I'm doing great twelve years out.

Ask any questions you need to... the folks on this forum are very caring and knowledgeable.

Jim

Texas_wedge

A burden shared
And here is a good place to do it. Good luck tomorrow. Take the pain meds on schedule, expect a couple of rough days. Start moving and taking on plenty of fluids as soon as is feasible. Report back here as soon as you feel up to it and collect your spurs. Not long now to have your Club membership confirmed.

ourfriendjohn

Texas_wedge said:

A burden shared
And here is a good place to do it. Good luck tomorrow. Take the pain meds on schedule, expect a couple of rough days. Start moving and taking on plenty of fluids as soon as is feasible. Report back here as soon as you feel up to it and collect your spurs. Not long now to have your Club membership confirmed.

Best wishes
Joe,

Hope things go smoothly. Know that you have a group of friends here who will be thinking of you and anxiously awaiting to hear from you afterwards. Like Texas_wedge said, get plenty of fluids and get moving as soon as possible. Welcome to the club.

John

love_of_my_life

You can do this!
My wife had the same surgery exactly one week ago. The first couple of days are tough, but not dreadful. I would say she is almost 60% today just a bit short on energy.

You are in our prayers and you WILL get through this. I know exactly how you are feeling and its very easy to get into a negative state. You have every right to whine BTW.

Tom

alice124

New Diagnosis
You've earned the right to be terrified and whiney, but you'll be fine. Those kids will get you through! We're here for you too and promise to get you through this ordeal. Godspeed.

garym

Good luck tomorrow...
Hi Joe,

What you are feeling is all completely normal and I'll bet getting it off your chest has made you feel a bit better all ready. We understand and we're here for whatever support you need, even if its just some place to vent. There are many members here with tumors larger than yours that are doing fine and you are going to do just fine as well. Your kids will be your strength and you are about to learn that they are stronger than you think they are. Very soon this will all be behind you and you can get back to the important things of life. Let us know how things turn out when you can.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Gary

Joe_fh

Appreciated
Thank you all for the words of encouragement. To be perfectly honest, I needed them.

I am happy to have found this place, it's a far cry better than so many of the doom and gloom web sites I have stumbled across since I learned of this disease.

I have to be checked into the VA Medical Center at 9:00 am for surgery at 11, so this is likely to be a very long night of nerves. I spent most of the day working, and that helped keep my mind off it. But sooner or later night falls and that is the time your imagination weights in on the what-ifs, and how-comes. But I would guess you all know these things already.

I am still waiting for someone jump up to say April Fools, but then I realize it's August. It's still kinda surreal to move from discovery to surgery in not quite 30 days. Does that rapid progression seem normal/common to you folks?

And even after getting over the surgical hump, I understand it's just the beginning of the journey as you wait on the pathology report to determine type and grade which defines just how far up the screwed meter you push the needle. Perhaps that is a bad way to phrase it, but I am attempting to keep some semblance of humor. There is so much I don't know yet.

And at this point I am apparently rambling, so I should stop and simply say.. Thanks for the encouragement folks.

Digger95

Joe_fh said:

Appreciated
Thank you all for the words of encouragement. To be perfectly honest, I needed them.

I am happy to have found this place, it's a far cry better than so many of the doom and gloom web sites I have stumbled across since I learned of this disease.

I have to be checked into the VA Medical Center at 9:00 am for surgery at 11, so this is likely to be a very long night of nerves. I spent most of the day working, and that helped keep my mind off it. But sooner or later night falls and that is the time your imagination weights in on the what-ifs, and how-comes. But I would guess you all know these things already.

I am still waiting for someone jump up to say April Fools, but then I realize it's August. It's still kinda surreal to move from discovery to surgery in not quite 30 days. Does that rapid progression seem normal/common to you folks?

And even after getting over the surgical hump, I understand it's just the beginning of the journey as you wait on the pathology report to determine type and grade which defines just how far up the screwed meter you push the needle. Perhaps that is a bad way to phrase it, but I am attempting to keep some semblance of humor. There is so much I don't know yet.

And at this point I am apparently rambling, so I should stop and simply say.. Thanks for the encouragement folks.

Diagnosis to surgery time...
Joe,

I went from diagnosis to operating table in less than a week. My nephrologist didn't mess around and in hindsight I am very glad for that because I didn't have much time to sit around and worry. You'll do great tomorrow, and we'll all be thinking of you.

Jim

donna_lee

alice124 said:

New Diagnosis
You've earned the right to be terrified and whiney, but you'll be fine. Those kids will get you through! We're here for you too and promise to get you through this ordeal. Godspeed.

Hi Joe
No one or no doc can say this is an easy surgery. It's scary. Lap opposed to open is easier on the body, but recovery does take time. Please allow the time to heal...physically, emotionally, and however else you need.
From the physical standpoint, muscles will be weaker; you start with two kidneys (one of which is not functioning adequately) and end up with one that has to do it all. Watch your salt and weight. And don't be afraid to be put on blood pressure meds if an internist prescribes it.
Share with your kids what is age appropriate. They will understand. And let them know you want to get better so you can spend more time with them; and that's why you need them to help you now.
Your tumor is/was in the size of a medium baking potato. I've been there-6 years ago-and came thru it.
Hang in there and we're here to listen.
Donna

Texas_wedge

donna_lee said:

Hi Joe
No one or no doc can say this is an easy surgery. It's scary. Lap opposed to open is easier on the body, but recovery does take time. Please allow the time to heal...physically, emotionally, and however else you need.
From the physical standpoint, muscles will be weaker; you start with two kidneys (one of which is not functioning adequately) and end up with one that has to do it all. Watch your salt and weight. And don't be afraid to be put on blood pressure meds if an internist prescribes it.
Share with your kids what is age appropriate. They will understand. And let them know you want to get better so you can spend more time with them; and that's why you need them to help you now.
Your tumor is/was in the size of a medium baking potato. I've been there-6 years ago-and came thru it.
Hang in there and we're here to listen.
Donna

Hi Joe
Donna, your posts are as good as ever - a true pleasure to read.

icemantoo

Digger95 said:

Diagnosis to surgery time...
Joe,

I went from diagnosis to operating table in less than a week. My nephrologist didn't mess around and in hindsight I am very glad for that because I didn't have much time to sit around and worry. You'll do great tomorrow, and we'll all be thinking of you.

Jim

Welcome
Joe,

Welcome to our club which nobody asks to join. Although I had it relatively easy with a Stage i diagnosis and no problems over the years there are so many on this board doing well with similar diagnoses to yoursefl that you should be able to here from those in your situation. In fact a number of them have greated you as well. Good luck on your surgery and recovery and may they be uneventful as well. My Dr. wrote on my surgical or dischrge summary that I was no longer in pain. Hah! A little pain however is required for your memborship.


Icemantoo

Bubbs21

icemantoo said:

Welcome
Joe,

Welcome to our club which nobody asks to join. Although I had it relatively easy with a Stage i diagnosis and no problems over the years there are so many on this board doing well with similar diagnoses to yoursefl that you should be able to here from those in your situation. In fact a number of them have greated you as well. Good luck on your surgery and recovery and may they be uneventful as well. My Dr. wrote on my surgical or dischrge summary that I was no longer in pain. Hah! A little pain however is required for your memborship.


Icemantoo

Good luck Joe
Wishing you all the best tomorrow and with your recovery. Let us know how you are doing.

I am glad you can get it out so quickly. Before you know it you will be back with your kids and planning for other life events....godspeed.

foxhd

Bubbs21 said:

Good luck Joe
Wishing you all the best tomorrow and with your recovery. Let us know how you are doing.

I am glad you can get it out so quickly. Before you know it you will be back with your kids and planning for other life events....godspeed.

stay strong for the kids
Good luck Joe. As you said, stay strong for the kids. It is not easy, but they are counting on you. Gee, no pressure there. Going from diagnosis to surgery so quickly is the way to go. I also had mine within a few days of diagnosis. You can spend your energy on getting better. And not spend your energy worrying about it for weeks. Your kids will be happy to help. If not, we can send Gary or Paula to do laundry.

James1980

Hi!
I was/am in much the same position as you. I am still waiting for surgery (September 12th.) I stumbled onto this site, just like you, and found the same comforting words from the same people. They truly are a great group.

My prayers are with you, tonight and always!

God bless you!

Eliezer2

Texas_wedge said:

A burden shared
And here is a good place to do it. Good luck tomorrow. Take the pain meds on schedule, expect a couple of rough days. Start moving and taking on plenty of fluids as soon as is feasible. Report back here as soon as you feel up to it and collect your spurs. Not long now to have your Club membership confirmed.

A joke for Texas Wedge
Since the discussion boards here sometimes carry jokes to keep the spirits up, I just thought I would share a really bad joke, one I was just told that might appeal to our warped sense of humor. I personally thought it was hilarious.

A man comes in to see his MD and the doc says I am afraid I have some bad news for you. You have both cancer and Alzheimer's Disease.

The patient replies, well at least I do not have cancer.

garym

Eliezer2 said:

A joke for Texas Wedge
Since the discussion boards here sometimes carry jokes to keep the spirits up, I just thought I would share a really bad joke, one I was just told that might appeal to our warped sense of humor. I personally thought it was hilarious.

A man comes in to see his MD and the doc says I am afraid I have some bad news for you. You have both cancer and Alzheimer's Disease.

The patient replies, well at least I do not have cancer.

Good one...
I hope its ok that I laughed too.

Joe_fh

It's done
Just going to manage a few words here. I am at home, still experiencing a lot of pain, but I did indeed survive. I was released around noon and after the most bumpy car ride I believe I ever had - I am in my own bedroom.

Surgery came off well, no complications. Doctors felt they got it all, no pathology yet. Very large ugly scar.

I will try to log back on tomorrow - perhaps the pain will be down a bit by them.

Texas_wedge

Joe_fh said:

It's done
Just going to manage a few words here. I am at home, still experiencing a lot of pain, but I did indeed survive. I was released around noon and after the most bumpy car ride I believe I ever had - I am in my own bedroom.

Surgery came off well, no complications. Doctors felt they got it all, no pathology yet. Very large ugly scar.

I will try to log back on tomorrow - perhaps the pain will be down a bit by them.

Home!
Good for you Joe - well done. Do you have enough help at home to cope with your situation?

If you feel up to it, you can dig aroung in the threads here for useful tips on the practicalities of living in the early period of recovery. In fact, you might find it worthwhile asking for suggestions for dealing with any problems you have (both practical and psychological - if you have any). there's a lot of valuable experience available here and an infinite fund of goodwill you can tap into. Just a thought.

As iceman always says, it's tough at first but every day gets better.

Texas_wedge

Joe_fh said:

It's done
Just going to manage a few words here. I am at home, still experiencing a lot of pain, but I did indeed survive. I was released around noon and after the most bumpy car ride I believe I ever had - I am in my own bedroom.

Surgery came off well, no complications. Doctors felt they got it all, no pathology yet. Very large ugly scar.

I will try to log back on tomorrow - perhaps the pain will be down a bit by them.

Home!
[Double-posting, drat!]

dhs1963

Joe_fh said:

It's done
Just going to manage a few words here. I am at home, still experiencing a lot of pain, but I did indeed survive. I was released around noon and after the most bumpy car ride I believe I ever had - I am in my own bedroom.

Surgery came off well, no complications. Doctors felt they got it all, no pathology yet. Very large ugly scar.

I will try to log back on tomorrow - perhaps the pain will be down a bit by them.

Welcome Back! Nice to see you are out of the hospital quickly
Home is so much nicer than hospitals. At least at home, I was able to watch my Beloved Washington Nationals (if it weren't for an off day, I might not have found the cancer).

Definitely look up what to do to help yourself. I have three pieces of advice: 1) Do not move quickly, 2) walk as much as you can, and 3) with any fever, call the Dr immediately. On the latter, I waited one day (four weeks out)...I thought I had a virus. Cost me three more weeks of recovery.

**** Luck!