21 cm tumor "Newbie just diagnosed 2/27" removed!

I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or continue on my original post? I started a new one though cause the old one was looking to long.

Anyway here's a little backstory for those who would like to do some reading. I have always been in good shape, exersise regularly and eat well. About a year and a half ago my lower back started hurting on my right side. I thought I did something at the gym cause I was squating and deadlifting a good amount of weight. I ended up going in for an x-ray of my lower back which showed nothing wrong with my back. Don't think they were even considering the kidney. I just chalked it up to lifting to much and figured I'd have lower back problems the rest of my life. From Dec 2010 until recently, I had less and less stamina and strenght in the gym. Then on 2/16/12 I was in the gym and ended up doing something to hurt my ribs. A couple days pass and I was lying in bed trying to pinpoint where the rib pain was coming from and I felt a mass in my abs. This prompted me to visit the drs.

From 2/16/12 when I hurt myself in the gym to when I ended up visting my primary care dr on 2/22. He sent me in for an unltra sound on 2/23. Then an MRI on 2/24. Monday 2/27 I met with my first urologist who told me I had a 20 cm mass on my kidney and he planned to take it out laproscopically and that I could wait until after my 5/5/12 wedding. I got a second opinion on 2/29 from Dr. Libertino at the Lahey Clinic just outside Boston. He saw the need to rush this through and scheduled my first procedure (renal artiral infarction) on 2/6 to kill the tumor/kidney to prevent as much bleeding as possible during the nephrectomy. Also found out that my tumor was 21 cm which is about the size of a football. Had this procedure done (not fun since it gives you flu like symptoms while the tumor is dying.) On 2/16 I had my right nephrectomy done. I have an incision from my belly botton all the up to under my arm pit. The seperated ribs and had to deflate my lung as well.

I just got the test results back and it turns out it was RCC. The good news is, it was all contained in the tumor/kidney. They tested many glands and lymph nodes and they all came back negative. Dr told me I was extremely lucky to have a tumor the size I did and have the cancer contained to the area.

Also, to those who have responded to my before....it appears I will be all set for my upcoming wedding on 5/5/12. I'm up and moving around taking walks and going to the beach with my finance and the dog. Still can't thow the ball for him, but at least I'm walking down there now.