New Kidney cancer diagnosis.....What now?
Comments
-
I Wish You the Best Too!KatfromFlorida said:Emotionally? hmmm.....
Dear Ams:
Sorry to hear that you too are joining our little group but honestly , this is a wonderful place to learn and find support. The people here are incredible and amazing.
After the initial shock of learning about my cancer, I went online and read some really horrible stories about it and THANK GOD I found this spot.
It took me a couple of weeks to work through the initial shock, then with the support I have received here I have found some peace. It is what it is. Right now with the surgery still a few weeks away, I have moments where I wonder what the future holds but overall I think that I am pretty calm about all of it. Reading up on the disease and hearing how others have dealt with it is truly a godsend.
The really scary part for me right now is not knowing what kind of cancer and what stage it is until after the surgery. All of that is assumed until the surgery is completed and the tests are finalized. The pain that sent me to the doctor initially is still there and I am taking pain medication for that until the surgery is done.
When they did my first ct scan the results said my spleen was enlarged and my gallbladder distended but no gallstones and that my liver had some fatty deposits. I'm not sure what any of that means and still have pain in the upper part of my stomach area around my liver so I was really shocked that it was due to a tumor on my kidney. Is it related? I don't know. My family doctor doesn't seem to feel its due to something else but they never tell you all of what they think anyway.
It would be great if you wish to correspond during recovery , I am here pretty regularly these days. I wish you much love and success with your surgery and know you are in my prayers as well.
Many Hugs
My Best
Kat
Kat - I think it took me a while to work through the shock, although I am still in some disbelief that this is happening. I never imagined I would be diagnosed with kidney cancer! I agree that lots of reading and getting support from forums is helpful. I am also on a kidney cancer mailing list, but many of those people have very bad cases of cancer and are on a lot of trial drugs. That list is a bit scary for me, and I am pretty confident that since my tumor was caught early I won't have to deal with that later on.
I hope your doctors figure out what is going on with the spleen and gallbladder and liver issues. With me there was a question of whether I have kidney disease as well as kidney cancer, but tests this week show that my kidney function is normal. That was a relief.
I'll be thinking of you!
Linda0 -
Dear BGBG said:Hi Kat, I went in for a
Hi Kat, I went in for a liver scan due to elevated liver enzymes, and they found the same thing with me, fatty deposits in my liver, oh, and also the kidney tumor. When my doctor called and told me about the tumor, he also mentioned the fattly liver thing, I totally blocked it out and said I'm not worried about that, whats this about the tumor.
I'm 4 weeks post partial nephrectomy, and the next thing to adress is the liver thing, I think it has to do with me loosing some weight, reducing sugar intake and keeping the sugar level stable, and also eating better. I take cholesterol medicine and know that can cause elevated liver enzymes, thats the next chapter though.
I wish you all well.
Brent
Hi , Thanks so much for your response. I too have been takin cholesterol meds for some time as its a hereditary thing in my family and I need to lose some weight myself.
The diet hasn't been all healthy either, I lost a long term banking job in 2009 and was off work for 2 years until this past April. So ....I was feeling pretty sorry for myself
ate a lot of junk and gained 10 plus lbs.
I guess this was and is my wake up call as its the only body I get,so its probably a good idea to start taking a lot better care of it now. Its really a pretty good body overall so I guess I will keep it for a while longer My surgery is next month but I am cutting out the junk and adding some healthy food to the menu. Hey its a start right? LOL. I hope your health improves each day and please feel free to email me anytime... Cdromda@cfl.rr.com
Hugs and many prayers
My Best
Kat0 -
small tumor - radical nephrectomy?LFocus said:Kidney Cancer
Hi I was told the same thing with my Dr. and I'm going to see another Dr. to find out why can't I get the da vinci surgery or a partial nephrectomy. The 1st Dr wants to take the entire kidney out the size is 3.7cm reading from the CT scan. I feel for you! cause I haven't had the change to stop to think how in the world has this cancer come upon me and not know it was there. The kidney cancer was found accidently looking ulcer?? I'm glad it was found early..As with you let's not let cancer beat us down..We will make it!! We are in God's hand and He is in control of all things..Prayer will be our answer..I pray that you get all the answers you need and that whatever your choices are they will make you a winner!!! God Bless..
Usually, the doctor thinks a radical nephrectomy is best if the tumor, no matter how small, is sitting on or blocking something important, like the renal artery or renal vein. In that case, you might as well take the entire kidney if the surgery is going to eliminate the blood flow to that kidney.
But if that's not the case, then he or she should not have to do a radical nephrectomy. It may be the easiest surgery for the surgeon, but it's not necessarily the best. Small tumors typically have many more options.
Be sure you are given a valid reason for the surgical decision, or get a second opinion.0 -
Thanks Johnejneary said:Easier to figure out?
No, not really. You can think of this experience as a journey. Every day you will learn a little more and asking the right questions of your doctor is important so be aware that you will have to do things that help you retain the information like writing down questions and answers to those questions when you are at the doctors office as the information can be technical. Your emotions are totally normal for what you have just been hit with and the first few weeks are terrifying.
The good news is that your tumor is relatively small. The results of your follow on CTs and bone scan will be important as this will determine if there is metastasis but given the size, I would not expect that to have happened so let's assume that for the moment...
The next step is to determine where the tumor is. Upper lobe tumors tend to not allow partial nephrectomies due to their proximity to major blood vessels. Lower and mid lobe tumors are more resectable via partial nephrectomy but make sure that you have a very skilled surgeon that you feel comfortable with. IF you have any doubts about your urologist, get another one!!! This is an area where you want the best of the best in the operating room. You will have to base your decision on research of their credentials and your gut feeling when you discuss with them the procedure. This is also where you need to have that list of questions so that you can probe your surgeon regarding the procedure to get that gut feeling.
Questions include:
Where will I be treated?
When will this be done?
Will this be open or laproscopic?
Partial or radical?
How long will I be in the hospital?
How will my pain be controlled?
What will I need to do at home afterwards?
What tests will I need to complete before/After?
Stuff like that..... You will be able to get a good feeling about the doctors capability, confidence and general demeanor. This is important for your peace of mind.
On the emotions side, you were just in a train wreck... Expect to be in shock for some time as you wade through this new world and try to figure it out while in shock. You will be exposed to new language and learn things about your body that you really didn't want to know. I explain that I was blessed with 45 years of denial about my body before I was diagnosed. Now, I could attend a seminar of kidney cancer doctors and understand probably 80% of what they talk about... IT SUCKS and is cool at the same time!!!
As you move through the initial diagnosis towards surgery, you will be in a state of suspension. Things will seem to take forever (Test results) yet you will be moved very rapidly towards your surgery. The preparation for surgery is both mechanical (hibbie cleanse, bowel prep...) as well as emotional (Crying, anger, depressing, anxiety and then back to crying). This is all very normal and you should expect it. Give yourself a break and spend the time you need to get used to it all. It you need to leave it alone for a while, leave it alone and go do something you enjoy. Allow yourself to be as normal as possible through this as it will lower your negative feelings. Cancer thrives on negativity so don't let it have what it likes. Starve it by working on positive thoughts. Guided imagery helps A LOT!!!
However, here is the good news... When you throw a boulder into a smooth pond, there is a lot of thrashing water for a while but eventually, the water gets smooth again. The same is true of your emotions. You will get used to the idea and become more calm as you move through this experience and though life will never be the same again, cancer does have gifts believe it or not. The main gift that I have received is a renewed appreciation for every single moment. When I catch myself getting pulled into life as usual, I take a moment to look around and take notice of my senses. Smells, sites, feelings... I realize that you are not there yet but trust me, you will be and having that brand new feeling again is really a great thing.
For the time being, realize that what you are feeling is TOTALLY NORMAL and that having your mortality shoved right up in your face is one of the biggest life challenges there are. You have already made the right decision by coming here. You might also look into local cancer support groups in your area. It helps to talk with others on the journey. Puts it into perspective... DO NOT believe everything you read on the internet. There are horror stories out there and these ARE NOT helpful. Get your information from reliable sources and make sure to check things out here. There is another great site at:
www.acor.org.
God Bless You!
John Neary
Dear John :
I don't remember if I said thank you to you in any of my earlier responses but I wanted to make sure that I did. Thank you. When I saw my doctor I took your suggested list of questions with me to my appointment and I appreciate you!!!
Finding myself in this forum most days, I just wanted to ask how you were doing? Haven't seen any recents posts so just wondering if all is still well?
Prayers your way each day and wishing you and your family the best.
Again Thank you for your outlook and suggestions.
My Best
Kat0 -
Thanks Johnejneary said:Easier to figure out?
No, not really. You can think of this experience as a journey. Every day you will learn a little more and asking the right questions of your doctor is important so be aware that you will have to do things that help you retain the information like writing down questions and answers to those questions when you are at the doctors office as the information can be technical. Your emotions are totally normal for what you have just been hit with and the first few weeks are terrifying.
The good news is that your tumor is relatively small. The results of your follow on CTs and bone scan will be important as this will determine if there is metastasis but given the size, I would not expect that to have happened so let's assume that for the moment...
The next step is to determine where the tumor is. Upper lobe tumors tend to not allow partial nephrectomies due to their proximity to major blood vessels. Lower and mid lobe tumors are more resectable via partial nephrectomy but make sure that you have a very skilled surgeon that you feel comfortable with. IF you have any doubts about your urologist, get another one!!! This is an area where you want the best of the best in the operating room. You will have to base your decision on research of their credentials and your gut feeling when you discuss with them the procedure. This is also where you need to have that list of questions so that you can probe your surgeon regarding the procedure to get that gut feeling.
Questions include:
Where will I be treated?
When will this be done?
Will this be open or laproscopic?
Partial or radical?
How long will I be in the hospital?
How will my pain be controlled?
What will I need to do at home afterwards?
What tests will I need to complete before/After?
Stuff like that..... You will be able to get a good feeling about the doctors capability, confidence and general demeanor. This is important for your peace of mind.
On the emotions side, you were just in a train wreck... Expect to be in shock for some time as you wade through this new world and try to figure it out while in shock. You will be exposed to new language and learn things about your body that you really didn't want to know. I explain that I was blessed with 45 years of denial about my body before I was diagnosed. Now, I could attend a seminar of kidney cancer doctors and understand probably 80% of what they talk about... IT SUCKS and is cool at the same time!!!
As you move through the initial diagnosis towards surgery, you will be in a state of suspension. Things will seem to take forever (Test results) yet you will be moved very rapidly towards your surgery. The preparation for surgery is both mechanical (hibbie cleanse, bowel prep...) as well as emotional (Crying, anger, depressing, anxiety and then back to crying). This is all very normal and you should expect it. Give yourself a break and spend the time you need to get used to it all. It you need to leave it alone for a while, leave it alone and go do something you enjoy. Allow yourself to be as normal as possible through this as it will lower your negative feelings. Cancer thrives on negativity so don't let it have what it likes. Starve it by working on positive thoughts. Guided imagery helps A LOT!!!
However, here is the good news... When you throw a boulder into a smooth pond, there is a lot of thrashing water for a while but eventually, the water gets smooth again. The same is true of your emotions. You will get used to the idea and become more calm as you move through this experience and though life will never be the same again, cancer does have gifts believe it or not. The main gift that I have received is a renewed appreciation for every single moment. When I catch myself getting pulled into life as usual, I take a moment to look around and take notice of my senses. Smells, sites, feelings... I realize that you are not there yet but trust me, you will be and having that brand new feeling again is really a great thing.
For the time being, realize that what you are feeling is TOTALLY NORMAL and that having your mortality shoved right up in your face is one of the biggest life challenges there are. You have already made the right decision by coming here. You might also look into local cancer support groups in your area. It helps to talk with others on the journey. Puts it into perspective... DO NOT believe everything you read on the internet. There are horror stories out there and these ARE NOT helpful. Get your information from reliable sources and make sure to check things out here. There is another great site at:
www.acor.org.
God Bless You!
John Neary
Dear John :
I don't remember if I said thank you to you in any of my earlier responses but I wanted to make sure that I did. Thank you. When I saw my doctor I took your suggested list of questions with me to my appointment and I appreciate you!!!
Finding myself in this forum most days, I just wanted to ask how you were doing? Haven't seen any recents posts so just wondering if all is still well?
Prayers your way each day and wishing you and your family the best.
Again Thank you for your outlook and suggestions.
My Best
Kat0 -
Living with Stage IVKatfromFlorida said:Thanks John
Dear John :
I don't remember if I said thank you to you in any of my earlier responses but I wanted to make sure that I did. Thank you. When I saw my doctor I took your suggested list of questions with me to my appointment and I appreciate you!!!
Finding myself in this forum most days, I just wanted to ask how you were doing? Haven't seen any recents posts so just wondering if all is still well?
Prayers your way each day and wishing you and your family the best.
Again Thank you for your outlook and suggestions.
My Best
Kat
I am still well and living with stage IV cancer, thanks for asking. I spent a lot of time very depressed after the second CT came back "Mixed" again after the first round of IL-2 treatment. I was lost. But then, I started to look for ways to help myself instead of continuing to look at statistics that said that I was going to die before I am ready. In my search for people in the same situation as me, I stumbled across a book by Gerald White on fighting cancer titled "Three Months to Life". It has changed my life. I went from despair to hope and am back living my life again. I have moved away from spending every moment worrying about what will happen when I die and envisioning my own funeral to a system of prayer, guided imagery, diet and attitude changes. His program is full of hope and that is what I needed!!!
This change coupled with the comment from my doctor saying that "There is no cure for this disease, go live your life" has caused me to do just that. I pray in every moment that I have, listen to Gerald's guided imagery disk at least twice a day, have changed my diet to include LOTS of fresh fruit and veggies and have given up colas and have cut WAY back on refined sugar.
Sure, I can feel the mets in my lungs but I also feel that they are changing for the better. I have less congestion, the last CT came back with a drastic reduction in the pleural effusion and I actually took my wife on a date last weekend for a great meal and some live music and it was AWESOME!!!! I am working full time and am enjoying my work.
It could be that this disease will get the upper hand at some point but I am NOT going to sit around and expect it. I am fighting it with every resource that I have and most of it is my own immune system. I am also in a cancer support group every week at my local Cancer Support Community and have met some truly courageous people! These are ordinary people who were, as Gerald White puts it, were "Unwillingly drafted into the battle of cancer" and who take life threatening news almost constantly while working with a system that is overwhelmed with cancer patients on one side and accountants on the other... I am honored to know them and they are really wonderful people.
So, bottom line, fighting this disease means staying the F*&% away from the statistics and using every resource available to fight the beast. For me, these are:
http://cancersupportcommunity.org/Default.aspx
http://cancerwarsmaarsjourney.com/
http://listserv.acor.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ACOR.EXE?A0=KIDNEY-ONC&t=&X=64EDC85368AD65D81A
Thanks!!!
John0 -
Thanks, John!ejneary said:Living with Stage IV
I am still well and living with stage IV cancer, thanks for asking. I spent a lot of time very depressed after the second CT came back "Mixed" again after the first round of IL-2 treatment. I was lost. But then, I started to look for ways to help myself instead of continuing to look at statistics that said that I was going to die before I am ready. In my search for people in the same situation as me, I stumbled across a book by Gerald White on fighting cancer titled "Three Months to Life". It has changed my life. I went from despair to hope and am back living my life again. I have moved away from spending every moment worrying about what will happen when I die and envisioning my own funeral to a system of prayer, guided imagery, diet and attitude changes. His program is full of hope and that is what I needed!!!
This change coupled with the comment from my doctor saying that "There is no cure for this disease, go live your life" has caused me to do just that. I pray in every moment that I have, listen to Gerald's guided imagery disk at least twice a day, have changed my diet to include LOTS of fresh fruit and veggies and have given up colas and have cut WAY back on refined sugar.
Sure, I can feel the mets in my lungs but I also feel that they are changing for the better. I have less congestion, the last CT came back with a drastic reduction in the pleural effusion and I actually took my wife on a date last weekend for a great meal and some live music and it was AWESOME!!!! I am working full time and am enjoying my work.
It could be that this disease will get the upper hand at some point but I am NOT going to sit around and expect it. I am fighting it with every resource that I have and most of it is my own immune system. I am also in a cancer support group every week at my local Cancer Support Community and have met some truly courageous people! These are ordinary people who were, as Gerald White puts it, were "Unwillingly drafted into the battle of cancer" and who take life threatening news almost constantly while working with a system that is overwhelmed with cancer patients on one side and accountants on the other... I am honored to know them and they are really wonderful people.
So, bottom line, fighting this disease means staying the F*&% away from the statistics and using every resource available to fight the beast. For me, these are:
http://cancersupportcommunity.org/Default.aspx
http://cancerwarsmaarsjourney.com/
http://listserv.acor.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ACOR.EXE?A0=KIDNEY-ONC&t=&X=64EDC85368AD65D81A
Thanks!!!
John
Your posts are so inspirational and informative. Thanks you so much. This website has helped me so much in feeling connected, inspired and informed.
Another website I found is http://nutritionfacts.org/
There are short little videos, and so many are about which foods suppress cancer cell growth. A few videos discuss kidney cancer specifically.
Best to you, and all on this discussion board. You are all so very helpful!
Jennifer0 -
Glad your doing wellejneary said:Living with Stage IV
I am still well and living with stage IV cancer, thanks for asking. I spent a lot of time very depressed after the second CT came back "Mixed" again after the first round of IL-2 treatment. I was lost. But then, I started to look for ways to help myself instead of continuing to look at statistics that said that I was going to die before I am ready. In my search for people in the same situation as me, I stumbled across a book by Gerald White on fighting cancer titled "Three Months to Life". It has changed my life. I went from despair to hope and am back living my life again. I have moved away from spending every moment worrying about what will happen when I die and envisioning my own funeral to a system of prayer, guided imagery, diet and attitude changes. His program is full of hope and that is what I needed!!!
This change coupled with the comment from my doctor saying that "There is no cure for this disease, go live your life" has caused me to do just that. I pray in every moment that I have, listen to Gerald's guided imagery disk at least twice a day, have changed my diet to include LOTS of fresh fruit and veggies and have given up colas and have cut WAY back on refined sugar.
Sure, I can feel the mets in my lungs but I also feel that they are changing for the better. I have less congestion, the last CT came back with a drastic reduction in the pleural effusion and I actually took my wife on a date last weekend for a great meal and some live music and it was AWESOME!!!! I am working full time and am enjoying my work.
It could be that this disease will get the upper hand at some point but I am NOT going to sit around and expect it. I am fighting it with every resource that I have and most of it is my own immune system. I am also in a cancer support group every week at my local Cancer Support Community and have met some truly courageous people! These are ordinary people who were, as Gerald White puts it, were "Unwillingly drafted into the battle of cancer" and who take life threatening news almost constantly while working with a system that is overwhelmed with cancer patients on one side and accountants on the other... I am honored to know them and they are really wonderful people.
So, bottom line, fighting this disease means staying the F*&% away from the statistics and using every resource available to fight the beast. For me, these are:
http://cancersupportcommunity.org/Default.aspx
http://cancerwarsmaarsjourney.com/
http://listserv.acor.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ACOR.EXE?A0=KIDNEY-ONC&t=&X=64EDC85368AD65D81A
Thanks!!!
John
Dear John:
How does one respond when they ask how you are and you tell them truthfully how you really are? The classic I'm so sorry for what your going through thing? It just doesn't seem like the right thing to say . You are definately a very blessed soul John. Your willingness to talk to all of us about our own situations, offer insight and guidance and give your honest opinions about cancer while you battle your own war with the demon is appreciated more than you know.
I'm certainly glad that I was led to this website when I needed it the most. The internet is an amazing thing but it can lead a person down a very dark ugly road if you allow it to. Have you studied anything about the budwig program? I went to the website and its filled with a tremendous amount of info. The diet itself is something I want to try if for no other reason to help my body help me. As for the guided imagery thing, I dunno if I could remember where I'm going once I started the trip to do it successfully
I know that the human mind is something that can create and destroy depending on the attitude and aptitude of the human driving it, personal experience proves it for me . When I was 16 years old ( back in the cave man days lol) one of my teachers told my parents I needed to see an eye doctor . After a complete eye exam by a squirrelly little eye doctor , he told my mother that I had a lazy left eye and 20/40 vision in the other. I got a brand spanking new pair of coke bottle glasses . I completely and totally refused to wear those glasses because I did not believe for one moment that I had a problem with my vision. I could see , I could see whatever I wanted to see and that was all there was to it.
By my 18th birthday, my vision was 20/20 . No glasses REQUIRED........ So I think that what you think about and honestly believe beyond all else is where your truth will lie.... In any case, Thank you for being here . I appreciate you...... All my best to you and your family
My family and I send you all our love,light and strenght to continue on your journey to a full complete recovery.
Many Hugs
My best
Kat0 -
Well the big day is coming
Well the big day is coming up a week from this Tuesday and I think its beginning to make me a little more nervous. I had to go to my primary physician this week for a release for surgery and they want me to see a cardiologist first due to a heart murmur I have had forever. Why do they wait until the last minute to do all this crap?
I just want this cancer to be gone and its proving to be a very winding road. The emotional roller coaster has been rough but if it wasn't for my job right now I think I would really go looney. Everyone continues to tell me how lucky I am and how much worse it could be but its still major surgery and it still scares the heck out of me so do they give you something to calm you down before they put you under? I hope so otherwise I'm afraid they will need a really big male nurse to hold me down just to keep me there lol.0 -
It will be over before you know itKatfromFlorida said:Well the big day is coming
Well the big day is coming up a week from this Tuesday and I think its beginning to make me a little more nervous. I had to go to my primary physician this week for a release for surgery and they want me to see a cardiologist first due to a heart murmur I have had forever. Why do they wait until the last minute to do all this crap?
I just want this cancer to be gone and its proving to be a very winding road. The emotional roller coaster has been rough but if it wasn't for my job right now I think I would really go looney. Everyone continues to tell me how lucky I am and how much worse it could be but its still major surgery and it still scares the heck out of me so do they give you something to calm you down before they put you under? I hope so otherwise I'm afraid they will need a really big male nurse to hold me down just to keep me there lol.
Hi Kat,
I had to wait six weeks for my surgery. When the big day came, I was pretending to be relaxed and calm but inside I was a wreck. I was laying down in the pre-op room. A nurse and her assistant stopped in and said they were going to inject something into the intravenous in my arm to relax me. She did and they started to wheel me out to get prepped. I remember passing my wife in the hallway. The next thing I remember is waking up after the surgery. I had pictured myself in the operating room with the team around me and then getting my anesthesia. I don't know what they gave me in pre-op but it sure made things easier. I had my gall bladder removed also. Both were laproscopic so I was only in the hospital from Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon. Recuperation wasn't as bad as I had expected. The walking was the hardest part but I knew I had to do it. Three weeks after surgery I was driving and walking with little to no pain. Six weeks after surgery I was almost back to "normal." Well, as normal as could be expected. Good luck.
Mike0 -
ValiumKatfromFlorida said:Well the big day is coming
Well the big day is coming up a week from this Tuesday and I think its beginning to make me a little more nervous. I had to go to my primary physician this week for a release for surgery and they want me to see a cardiologist first due to a heart murmur I have had forever. Why do they wait until the last minute to do all this crap?
I just want this cancer to be gone and its proving to be a very winding road. The emotional roller coaster has been rough but if it wasn't for my job right now I think I would really go looney. Everyone continues to tell me how lucky I am and how much worse it could be but its still major surgery and it still scares the heck out of me so do they give you something to calm you down before they put you under? I hope so otherwise I'm afraid they will need a really big male nurse to hold me down just to keep me there lol.
Hi Kat,
On my day of surgery, I told the first nurse that came to get me that I am very sensitive (I am, pass out at blood draws so need to lay down) and that I needed something to calm me down before they put the IV in or anything.
They gave me 2 valium and a tiny sip of water (you need to fast before the surgery), and that helped imensly.
The nest thing I remember, is being in the recovery room with my wife.
BG0 -
Mine is coming tooKatfromFlorida said:Well the big day is coming
Well the big day is coming up a week from this Tuesday and I think its beginning to make me a little more nervous. I had to go to my primary physician this week for a release for surgery and they want me to see a cardiologist first due to a heart murmur I have had forever. Why do they wait until the last minute to do all this crap?
I just want this cancer to be gone and its proving to be a very winding road. The emotional roller coaster has been rough but if it wasn't for my job right now I think I would really go looney. Everyone continues to tell me how lucky I am and how much worse it could be but its still major surgery and it still scares the heck out of me so do they give you something to calm you down before they put you under? I hope so otherwise I'm afraid they will need a really big male nurse to hold me down just to keep me there lol.
My surgery is Friday - three days from now. Everyone tells me they know someone who had this surgery and it is no big deal. Not sure if they are minimizing what I am going through, or trying to make me feel better. At my pre-op visit on Friday the nurse told me to take some of my own klonopin the morning of the surgery, but I know I can ask for something if I need it that morning at the hospital. I'll let you know how mine goes.0 -
Surgery Fridayams123 said:Mine is coming too
My surgery is Friday - three days from now. Everyone tells me they know someone who had this surgery and it is no big deal. Not sure if they are minimizing what I am going through, or trying to make me feel better. At my pre-op visit on Friday the nurse told me to take some of my own klonopin the morning of the surgery, but I know I can ask for something if I need it that morning at the hospital. I'll let you know how mine goes.
Hi Ams,
Any major surgery is a "big deal." I'm sure your friends are not trying to minimize what you are going through. They just don't understand. It's easy to have a nonchalant attitude when they are not the ones going through it. Everything will go well for you. Best wishes,
Mike0 -
Surgeryams123 said:Mine is coming too
My surgery is Friday - three days from now. Everyone tells me they know someone who had this surgery and it is no big deal. Not sure if they are minimizing what I am going through, or trying to make me feel better. At my pre-op visit on Friday the nurse told me to take some of my own klonopin the morning of the surgery, but I know I can ask for something if I need it that morning at the hospital. I'll let you know how mine goes.
Hello.
I would agree, the surgery is a big deal. Go into it knowing that you will have a
recovering period, the days will get better. The only advice I have for you is don't over eat at one time. Instead eat small, more often. Over eating caused me big stomach pains. Take Care, and I will be thinking about you.
Valerie0 -
Overeating, stomach pains and surgical clipsVagusto said:Surgery
Hello.
I would agree, the surgery is a big deal. Go into it knowing that you will have a
recovering period, the days will get better. The only advice I have for you is don't over eat at one time. Instead eat small, more often. Over eating caused me big stomach pains. Take Care, and I will be thinking about you.
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
Good advice. A year later, I still get stomach pains if I overeat. Annoying but tolerable. I get them on both sides of my stomach -- the former kidney side and the side where my gall bladder used to be. My primary care doc suggests that it could be that chunks of food sometimes irritate the sensitive scar tissue. Seems like a good guess to me but sometimes I think the surgical clips are the pain culprit. I didn't know there were surgical clips still inside me until I saw an X-ray report indicating them. (I thought something was accidentally left inside, like the stereotypical sponge.) When I asked the surgeon who removed the gall bladder why she didn't tell me to expect that, she became a little testy and told me that they are part of the normal procedure and she didn't feel she had to explain every detail of the surgery to the patient. It's a good thing I only had one gall bladder because she wouldn't get to remove the second one.
Mike0 -
Yikes MikeMikeK703 said:Overeating, stomach pains and surgical clips
Hi Valerie,
Good advice. A year later, I still get stomach pains if I overeat. Annoying but tolerable. I get them on both sides of my stomach -- the former kidney side and the side where my gall bladder used to be. My primary care doc suggests that it could be that chunks of food sometimes irritate the sensitive scar tissue. Seems like a good guess to me but sometimes I think the surgical clips are the pain culprit. I didn't know there were surgical clips still inside me until I saw an X-ray report indicating them. (I thought something was accidentally left inside, like the stereotypical sponge.) When I asked the surgeon who removed the gall bladder why she didn't tell me to expect that, she became a little testy and told me that they are part of the normal procedure and she didn't feel she had to explain every detail of the surgery to the patient. It's a good thing I only had one gall bladder because she wouldn't get to remove the second one.
Mike
Wow, they actually left clips inside your body? You must be a very calm man:) I am not very tolerant with those people in life, who because of title or education feel that they do not need to explain or justify actions for anything they do. Since you in fact paid your insurance premiums and your deductibles etc and she did the job you paid her to do, just stands to reason that if you require or desire a full complete explanation of why they leave parts inside your body and exactly what she did to you while you were unavailable to comment then she should danged well explain in step by step instructions what she did and why huh? I'd want pictures too...lol..
Bedside manner just isn't like it used to be... If half of these doctors ever had to be patients maybe they would get it... I dunno...
Your imput is appreciated and thanks so much...
My Best
Kat0 -
WOWMikeK703 said:Overeating, stomach pains and surgical clips
Hi Valerie,
Good advice. A year later, I still get stomach pains if I overeat. Annoying but tolerable. I get them on both sides of my stomach -- the former kidney side and the side where my gall bladder used to be. My primary care doc suggests that it could be that chunks of food sometimes irritate the sensitive scar tissue. Seems like a good guess to me but sometimes I think the surgical clips are the pain culprit. I didn't know there were surgical clips still inside me until I saw an X-ray report indicating them. (I thought something was accidentally left inside, like the stereotypical sponge.) When I asked the surgeon who removed the gall bladder why she didn't tell me to expect that, she became a little testy and told me that they are part of the normal procedure and she didn't feel she had to explain every detail of the surgery to the patient. It's a good thing I only had one gall bladder because she wouldn't get to remove the second one.
Mike
Hi Mike
Oh my goodness....surgical clips left inside, that sounds just plain wrong.
It's been almost 2 years since I had my kidney removed. I have to say that I still
don't feel the greatest when I overeat. I can't even compare it to the normal feeling of overeating, it's almost like I have something "stuck" in there. My doc felt for a hernia, which I guess sometimes happens. So, do the surgical clips eventually dissolve?
Valerie0 -
ClipsVagusto said:WOW
Hi Mike
Oh my goodness....surgical clips left inside, that sounds just plain wrong.
It's been almost 2 years since I had my kidney removed. I have to say that I still
don't feel the greatest when I overeat. I can't even compare it to the normal feeling of overeating, it's almost like I have something "stuck" in there. My doc felt for a hernia, which I guess sometimes happens. So, do the surgical clips eventually dissolve?
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
No, they stay forever. Standard operating procedure (excuse the pun), I was told. The clips are actually metal of some kind. But not to worry, she said, they won't go off at the airport, which was like the least of my worries since I haven't flown since 1974. Like your doc, she did the same -- felt around for a hernia. I guess they both read the same manual. She also told me she had problems getting the badly infected gall bladder out, that its outer layer got stuck on my liver and she was afraid to prod around too much and cause injury to the liver. So she left the layer stuck there. It'll disintegrate eventually, she said. At least she told me about that one. She's a general surgeon. I was in the military for four years and knew a few generals I'd like to see her operate on. Actually, I haven't had any problems and it has been a year. I guess she did a good job. My urologist certainly did.
Mike0 -
TomorrowMikeK703 said:Clips
Hi Valerie,
No, they stay forever. Standard operating procedure (excuse the pun), I was told. The clips are actually metal of some kind. But not to worry, she said, they won't go off at the airport, which was like the least of my worries since I haven't flown since 1974. Like your doc, she did the same -- felt around for a hernia. I guess they both read the same manual. She also told me she had problems getting the badly infected gall bladder out, that its outer layer got stuck on my liver and she was afraid to prod around too much and cause injury to the liver. So she left the layer stuck there. It'll disintegrate eventually, she said. At least she told me about that one. She's a general surgeon. I was in the military for four years and knew a few generals I'd like to see her operate on. Actually, I haven't had any problems and it has been a year. I guess she did a good job. My urologist certainly did.
Mike
Hi Kat,
Tomorrow is just another day, very soon it will be yesterday. Here's hoping you have another 10,000 or more tomorrows coming your way!!
Thinking of you on the day before,
Gary0 -
thanks garygarym said:Tomorrow
Hi Kat,
Tomorrow is just another day, very soon it will be yesterday. Here's hoping you have another 10,000 or more tomorrows coming your way!!
Thinking of you on the day before,
Gary
Just wanted to take a minute and say thanks for the kind words... I have been waiting it seems forever and at 5:30 am tomorrow I go in. Today my stomach is in knots and I gotta tell you I am pretty nervous about all of this. I know I shouldn't be but still I can't help it...... at
Hope to talk to you again soon
My Best
K0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.9K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 309 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 398 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.4K Kidney Cancer
- 671 Leukemia
- 794 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 237 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 63 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.5K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 540 Sarcoma
- 734 Skin Cancer
- 654 Stomach Cancer
- 191 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.9K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards