Almost afraid to mention this...

donna_lee
donna_lee Member Posts: 1,045 Member

considering what everyone is going through right now.

I read the new post from someone who was just told she had a malignant mass on the kidney.  That's the situation I was in 9 years, 9 months ago (but who's counting?) Ultimately, the right kidney with a 12.5 x 11.5 x8.5 cm tumor was removed.  And going along with it was the set of nodes in the fossa (depression) under it with 2 of 11 positive for RCC-Clear Cell; and the left lobe of my liver with a single tumor about 4x5x5 cm tumor; several wedge biopsy sections that they examined on frozen slides, from the right lobe of the liver (negative for cancer; and the gall bladder, which was the original reason I said something to my PC during an exam.  Thought I might have a gall stone.  Nope, just had a hamartoma or partially blocked bile duct.  After 11 1/2 hous on the table with 2 specialist oncology surgeons-one urologic and one abdominal- they thought they got it all.

As you will find, that is Dr. speak, for "we pawed thru your guts and didn't see anything else that looked like it should be removed at that time."

The difference between my 9 mo and 12 mo CT scans showed evidence of a single node enlarging; it was attached to the Inferior Vena Cava and the Duodenum.  Biopsy was positive, and surgery was done about 3 weeks later.   Repeat the previous sentence, except the node was located in the lower abdomen behind the bifurcation of the Aorta as it splits to go down each leg.  Couldn't biopsy, but the PET lit up, so I had a third surgery.  That was in 2008.

Through lots of tests, CT's and then alternating with Chest xrays and abdominal/pelvic ultra sounds, and mammograms, I've found I have nodes in my thyroid, weird readings on the mammogram that tell them to order a call-back exam, cysts in the remaining part of my liver and in my pancreas and remaining liver. minor heart "problems", and a partially collapsed lung from the nerve being cut to access the kidney on the first surgery.

But you know what?  Live is good.  I still go to work, travel sometimes, visit my kids and grands, and am helping plan my 55th HS class reunion.  My most recent check with the Oncology nurse was almost a non-event.  Labs, "how are you", BP is great, "weight is still down."  See you in 4 months and we'll order a CT for September.

Ten years ago, my husband and I were getting ready to go on vacation in Mexico, with hardly a care in the world.  I hasn't been an easy 10 years, but we both have had hope.  We'll celebrate #52 this summer....divorce, never////murder, maybe.

So how do you handle what is thrown at you when the Dr. says cancer.  Get info; start building your file; document what is done, said or printed on your behalf; get your estate issues in line; make decisions; share with your family & friends; cry if you need to-then wipe your tears-and get on with living.  Somehow, cancer does not allow much time to have a pity party simultaneously.

So, if this is the long way around that says my appointment found NED, I guess I just did.

To those who are new here, keep on trudging thru the snow or mud.  Those in drug treatment, infusions, radiation, and all the assorted side effects, my hugs go out to you.  When I began this journey, Sutent and IL2 were all that was available.  Votrient was in trial phase and I didn't into fit the parameters  We medical world has come a long way in 10 years and kidney cancer is not the orphan disease it used to be.

Valentine Hugs and Hearts to you all.

Donna

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    Good work

    Donna,

    Good  work and coniued NED to someone older than Ice.

     

     

    Icemantoo

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    icemantoo said:

    Good work

    Donna,

    Good  work and coniued NED to someone older than Ice.

     

     

    Icemantoo

    What can I say, Donna but

    What can I say, Donna but WOW~

    You sure have been through a lot!

    Thanks for sharing and Happy Valentine's day to you

    and yours!

    Hugs, Jan

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    Donna, good info and very

    Donna, good info and very well said! Good scans to you!  xxoo

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    angec said:

    Donna, good info and very

    Donna, good info and very well said! Good scans to you!  xxoo

    NED

    Nothing Eating Donna! Holy Cow! What a wonderful thing to hear. Cheers auntie Donna!

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    foxhd said:

    NED

    Nothing Eating Donna! Holy Cow! What a wonderful thing to hear. Cheers auntie Donna!

    Lovely post, Donna. Happy

    Lovely post, Donna. Happy Valentines day to you and your husband.

  • foroughsh
    foroughsh Member Posts: 779 Member
    Donna
    Thanks for sharing your

    Donna

    Thanks for sharing your story, you're a tough fighter, congratulation for recent NED news. Waiting for you 20 year free on cancer.

    Forough

     

     

     

  • worriedmom
    worriedmom Member Posts: 14
    thank you

    It's  awesome to hear something so encouraging!  thank you!

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    Great news!! Congratulations

    Great news!! Congratulations on NED. What a valiant fighter!

    Salud!

    Jojo

  • hardo718
    hardo718 Member Posts: 853 Member
    Jojo61 said:

    Great news!! Congratulations

    Great news!! Congratulations on NED. What a valiant fighter!

    Salud!

    Jojo

    From one Donna to another...

    WOW!  God Bless You!  Well said.  Cancer, very scary word but definitely not a death sentence and you are living proof.

    You gave me a good laugh regarding the hubby.  I completely understand.  haha

    Happy Valentine's Day to ALL you lover's out there.  Kiss

    Donna~

  • Carol S.
    Carol S. Member Posts: 5
    God bless you, thank you for

    God bless you, thank you for sharing that and for the giggle. Divorce never//murder maybe...I'm going to borrow that line lol. 

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    Thanks

    So glad to hear your story Donna. Gives hope.

    Hugs,

    Todd

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,074 Member
    todd121 said:

    Thanks

    So glad to hear your story Donna. Gives hope.

    Hugs,

    Todd

    Great news, great story!

    Great news, great story! Continue that way for many more years!

  • mrou50
    mrou50 Member Posts: 389 Member
    Well Put

    Very well said Donna thank you.

     

    Mark