Life Changing

Same here....
Max dog,
I was diagnosed on 06/12/12 with an approx 6.2cm tumor on my right kidney (Stage 1). I received the preliminary pathology on Thursday and I was told that It appears to be a non-aggressive grade. Mine was found by a random CT scan due to a hernia operation I had scheduled. A miracle indeed!!!
I had a radical (RN) this past Tuesday after getting 3 opinions and educating myself on this new challenge very quickly. I have went thru a myriad of emotions & also see this as an opportunity for me to reconnect to life & what is important, what I want, need, etc. All normal I believe. I think it's the person that doesn't see it in this way that should be questioning themselves. For me that includes a 'creator', but it doesn't have to. I'm talking about connecting and appreciating, all universal concepts.
I've had a great outcome thus far. I came home after 2 1/2 days and am resting and improving every day. The little things like a first BM yesterday means so much. Basically, smelling the flowers. For me this is huge. I have not been a 'glass 1/2 full' guy in my life, I pray that this continues to change and this is a new beginning for me. I also pray for you. I know you will be fine. God Bless!!

maxdog said:

Encouragement
Thanks Sue for the sharing the info with me. From what I am reading, it is a good thing that this was caught by accident. When I went to the urologist, I knew what I had to do and I just scheduled the surgery without a blink of an eye. I read the statistics and type of surgery that could be performed and it was exactly what the urologist offered. I am a nurse and often see the end result of not being proactive with ones health issues. I must say, I'm not looking forward to the surgery. How is the recuperation going? How many days in the hospital? I was told 3-5....Im shooting for 3...I'll feel more comfortable at home. I hope each day brings more strength and healing.

life changing
Boy, it sure is a shock to ones self to be confronted with a cancer diagnosis. My radical nephrectomy was in march 2011. I was fit and strong. Weight training 4-5 x week, running 3 miles every other day for years. At 59, I had just told my wife that I was feeling like I was in my 30's again. That same night I developed tremendous pain and was peeing blood. 7.5 cm stage 3 tumor was removed a couple days later. My 35 years as a physical therapist prepared me to know that someday something would probably kill me. I didn't know what but both my mom and sister had kidney disease. I did well with my recovery until several months later when they found fairly extensive mets in lungs ,liver, lymph nodes and then bones. Then reality hit home. I had only a few months to live. I cried a little bit then. No bucket list for me. I needed to stay strong for my family. I am one of the fortunate few who may still beat this disease. I qualified for a clinical trial of MDX-1106. It has eliminated 80% of my tumors over the last 6 months. I am again very active. I exercise and run, golf and spend much time on my Harley. I'm here to baby sit my grandaughters 2-3 times a week. I joke, I offer insight, I listen, I console. I think about cancer continuously yet it does not run my life. I live each day as if I am going to be here forever. No sense of urgency. No mental stress. I guess the point is that it has become a way of life. Some people are short, some are italian, we have cancer. I guess the coping becomes easier and you are able to move on. So...Good Luck to you. And welcome to our board. There is always a lot of helpful information and experiences to share here. Fox.