Glad I found this forum. Radical nephrectomy in 1 week - eek!

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  • Mfbartoli
    Mfbartoli Member Posts: 12
    #22
    Home and recovering

    Surgery was Wed. All went well. Got home Sat eve. The pain while in the hospital was mostly due to the gas build up in my collar bone and shoulder from the laproscopic procedure. I guess this is common and not much they can do to hel relieve the pain. Man was it bad! It seems like they should figure that out from what I now read on on researching. Anyway, got the path back already as well. It was clear cell, margins good. No nodes. Officially "Had" cancer. Whoo hoo! Now just getting back to normal routine slowly but surely. Walking around the house every couple hrs and have an app on my phone to remind me to drink water since it isn't something im naturally good about doing.  Staples come out Thurs. 

     

    Anyone have any suggestions for others on how to help get the gas out that causes the pain in the shoulder? Gas-Ex didn't help. Finally had to take another Fleet enima to force it out the bottom.

    Cancer Free and Happy to be Home, Michele

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #23
    Mfbartoli said:

    Home and recovering

    Surgery was Wed. All went well. Got home Sat eve. The pain while in the hospital was mostly due to the gas build up in my collar bone and shoulder from the laproscopic procedure. I guess this is common and not much they can do to hel relieve the pain. Man was it bad! It seems like they should figure that out from what I now read on on researching. Anyway, got the path back already as well. It was clear cell, margins good. No nodes. Officially "Had" cancer. Whoo hoo! Now just getting back to normal routine slowly but surely. Walking around the house every couple hrs and have an app on my phone to remind me to drink water since it isn't something im naturally good about doing.  Staples come out Thurs. 

     

    Anyone have any suggestions for others on how to help get the gas out that causes the pain in the shoulder? Gas-Ex didn't help. Finally had to take another Fleet enima to force it out the bottom.

    Cancer Free and Happy to be Home, Michele

    Great news

    That's terrific Michele! Keep doing what your doing. The pain sucks but improves. I believe the gas is in your abdominal cavity not your digestive tract. You can't poop it out. It slowly resorbs into your system and goes away. Keep up with follow up appts. I'm hearing of too many people who had kidney cancers and they never have had follow ups. Our beliefs are different now. Now relax, and get well.

  • Susieemma110
    Susieemma110 Member Posts: 2
    #24
    Just read your message and

    Just read your message and you've had your surgery. Hope you are doing well. I had a radical nephectomy June 26, 2012. Very hard surgery but every day post-op got a little better. I'm doing well physically but still feel the emotional pain of having a devastating diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Everything seems to be catching up to me now. My pathology report was good in that the cancer was contained but still feel afraid. I'll have to be screened every 6 months for now. Not sure if this fear will ever go away. Good Luck.

    2013-01-28

  • Mfbartoli
    Mfbartoli Member Posts: 12
    #25
    foxhd said:

    Great news

    That's terrific Michele! Keep doing what your doing. The pain sucks but improves. I believe the gas is in your abdominal cavity not your digestive tract. You can't poop it out. It slowly resorbs into your system and goes away. Keep up with follow up appts. I'm hearing of too many people who had kidney cancers and they never have had follow ups. Our beliefs are different now. Now relax, and get well.

    Thanks Fox, I'm on it

    My urologist has already told me that our follow ups will be scans every 6 months for 2 yrs, then 1 x/yr until I hit the 5 year mark. I have o plans to hide my head in the sand just cause I dodged this bullet. 

  • Mfbartoli
    Mfbartoli Member Posts: 12
    #26
    foxhd said:

    Great news

    That's terrific Michele! Keep doing what your doing. The pain sucks but improves. I believe the gas is in your abdominal cavity not your digestive tract. You can't poop it out. It slowly resorbs into your system and goes away. Keep up with follow up appts. I'm hearing of too many people who had kidney cancers and they never have had follow ups. Our beliefs are different now. Now relax, and get well.

    Thanks Fox, I'm on it

    My urologist has already told me that our follow ups will be scans every 6 months for 2 yrs, then 1 x/yr until I hit the 5 year mark. I have o plans to hide my head in the sand just cause I dodged this bullet. 

  • Mfbartoli
    Mfbartoli Member Posts: 12
    #27
    Susieemma110 said:

    Just read your message and

    Just read your message and you've had your surgery. Hope you are doing well. I had a radical nephectomy June 26, 2012. Very hard surgery but every day post-op got a little better. I'm doing well physically but still feel the emotional pain of having a devastating diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Everything seems to be catching up to me now. My pathology report was good in that the cancer was contained but still feel afraid. I'll have to be screened every 6 months for now. Not sure if this fear will ever go away. Good Luck.

    2013-01-28

    Thanks and good luck to you also

    Thank you for your message. It is scary. I don't think even though I no longer officially HAVE cancer I will be able to not think about it that way. Good luck to you as well. 

  • Susieemma110
    Susieemma110 Member Posts: 2
    #28
    Mfbartoli said:

    Thanks and good luck to you also

    Thank you for your message. It is scary. I don't think even though I no longer officially HAVE cancer I will be able to not think about it that way. Good luck to you as well. 

    I agree. Although i suppose

    I agree. Although i suppose that i don't "officially" have cancer any longer, I'm still lreeling emotionally. My life has changed so moch. Ithink that fear will never go away but maybe get a little easier. I'm afraid to let my guard down. It helps to be in contact wih people who understand.

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #29
    Susieemma110 said:

    I agree. Although i suppose

    I agree. Although i suppose that i don't "officially" have cancer any longer, I'm still lreeling emotionally. My life has changed so moch. Ithink that fear will never go away but maybe get a little easier. I'm afraid to let my guard down. It helps to be in contact wih people who understand.

    The surgery

    Michelle,

    Now that the surgery is over how about the Superbowl. With a daughter and 3 granddaughters in Baltimore I guess I know who I am going to cheer for.

    I plan on watching the game on Spanish ESPN somewhere South of St Thomas. I am taking the Icewoman on our 11th annual Southern Caribbaen survivor cruise.

    Icemantoo

  • banddinbc
    banddinbc Member Posts: 13
    #30
    Mfbartoli said:

    Thanks and good luck to you also

    Thank you for your message. It is scary. I don't think even though I no longer officially HAVE cancer I will be able to not think about it that way. Good luck to you as well. 

    nice to hear

    your finished the surgery and good news--I forgot to mention about the gas but that was yesterday!  Now for tomorrow-speedy recovery  :)

     

  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    #31
    Mfbartoli said:

    Home and recovering

    Surgery was Wed. All went well. Got home Sat eve. The pain while in the hospital was mostly due to the gas build up in my collar bone and shoulder from the laproscopic procedure. I guess this is common and not much they can do to hel relieve the pain. Man was it bad! It seems like they should figure that out from what I now read on on researching. Anyway, got the path back already as well. It was clear cell, margins good. No nodes. Officially "Had" cancer. Whoo hoo! Now just getting back to normal routine slowly but surely. Walking around the house every couple hrs and have an app on my phone to remind me to drink water since it isn't something im naturally good about doing.  Staples come out Thurs. 

     

    Anyone have any suggestions for others on how to help get the gas out that causes the pain in the shoulder? Gas-Ex didn't help. Finally had to take another Fleet enima to force it out the bottom.

    Cancer Free and Happy to be Home, Michele

    Congratulations...

    Hi Michele,

    Your initiation to this little club is now complete, good to hear you are home and doing well, I bet it wasn't as bad as you imagined it would be.  I can tell your spirits are up and you have a great attitude, that's half the battle.  The gas/shoulder pain is normal and goes away on its own over a few days, I found that walking more seemed to speed up the process.  The cell phone reminder is a neat trick and water is the best medicine you can take right now.  In a couple weeks you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about.

    Hang in there,

    Gary

  • Mfbartoli
    Mfbartoli Member Posts: 12
    #32
    icemantoo said:

    The surgery

    Michelle,

    Now that the surgery is over how about the Superbowl. With a daughter and 3 granddaughters in Baltimore I guess I know who I am going to cheer for.

    I plan on watching the game on Spanish ESPN somewhere South of St Thomas. I am taking the Icewoman on our 11th annual Southern Caribbaen survivor cruise.

    Icemantoo

    superbowl
    Good for you! Sounds like a blast! I'm a west coast gal, so since my Seahawks couldn't pull it off, will have to root for SF. It is mostly just a big family football fest regardless of what teams end up playing each year. We are all in a fantasy league (I happen to be in the lead at the moment yipee) and put a 100 square pool together. So glad I won't be stuck in bed. Feeling better each day. Heading out today to get my INR checked (remember this all started cause I had a PE).

    Enjoy your trip! Hope the game is fun to watch in Spanish :-)
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #33
    Mfbartoli said:

    superbowl
    Good for you! Sounds like a blast! I'm a west coast gal, so since my Seahawks couldn't pull it off, will have to root for SF. It is mostly just a big family football fest regardless of what teams end up playing each year. We are all in a fantasy league (I happen to be in the lead at the moment yipee) and put a 100 square pool together. So glad I won't be stuck in bed. Feeling better each day. Heading out today to get my INR checked (remember this all started cause I had a PE).

    Enjoy your trip! Hope the game is fun to watch in Spanish :-)

    Superbowl

    Michele,

     

    I can't stand the train noise anytime I go by your 2 new stadiums. With a brother in Issaquah and my 91 year young mother in Bellevue we have the Seahawks covered as well. What a Fluke,  Did see a basketball game with our Pistons a few years ago in Key Arena before your team snuck out of town.

    Just trying to keep your mind off that wicked initation you had last week.

     

    The game on the Spanish ESPN we watch is in English, except for the adds which are all Spanish.

     

    Icemantoo

  • roaddr23
    roaddr23 Member Posts: 77
    #34
    Mfbartoli said:

    superbowl
    Good for you! Sounds like a blast! I'm a west coast gal, so since my Seahawks couldn't pull it off, will have to root for SF. It is mostly just a big family football fest regardless of what teams end up playing each year. We are all in a fantasy league (I happen to be in the lead at the moment yipee) and put a 100 square pool together. So glad I won't be stuck in bed. Feeling better each day. Heading out today to get my INR checked (remember this all started cause I had a PE).

    Enjoy your trip! Hope the game is fun to watch in Spanish :-)

    SuperBowl

    This Southern Maryland girl says 'WOOHOO!! RAVENS ALL THE WAY" When my Dr called to schedule my surgery he said it would either be Feb 1st or 8th because he had to check with his partner to see when he would be available...I was soooo glad he called back and said the 8th because I totally did not want to be gorked out on Pain Meds when my boys are kicking butt in the Superbowl!

    Iceman, I hope you two have a wonderful, fun filled relaxing trip!

    Michelle, I am so glad everything went well for you. My first bout with this was found when I got up to pee and filled the toilet with blood. That tumor in my left kidney was 7-8cm and luckily was still encapsulated but it was a close call.

    These 2 tumors in the right kidney were found like yours...I have severe back pain, numbness in my legs and feet and horrible cramping in my legs and feet also. I have a really bad time trying to walk on hard surfaces or go up and down steps or stand for a long time like washing dishes. Unfortunately I have been dealing with this for several years. Because only a small herniation at L 4-5 shows up on an MRI I can not find a neurosurgeon to operate on me. My Primary Care Dr, My Pain management Dr and my Neurologist are all totally frustrated because I have such text symptoms for nerve impingment in several areas of my Lumbar spine.So in September my neurologist and I decided we were going to do a myelogram/CT of my spine and see if we could get some really good pictures this time. Then he is going to take the results before a panel of 6 Drs and hopefully then someone will do the surgery. So that is what we did and thankfully finally everything lit up like a Christmas tree this time...there is no question at all now how bad things are in my back...yippee but the 2 tumors in my kidney showed up too. When my primary care Dr got the results I got a phone call that I needed to come in and see her asap...So I did and she told me what the report showed and sent me for an US of my kidney which confirmed the two small tumors. The US report recommended a CT asap to confirm and clarify the tumors.I had the US the day before my husband left for our cabin in VT for 10 days over Thanksgiving holiday. Primary Dr was working on getting the CT set up for right after I got back. I wasn't feeling very well the weekend after Thanksgiving and by the time we hit the NJ Turnpike I made my husband stop at every rest stop...it was a horrendous 12 hour ride home. I stayed in bed most of that week and by the weekend I was feeling better. So I spent the weekend at my parents home with my sister packing and sorting through my parents life. My Dad died of Pancreatic Cancer May 8 and my Mom died 7 weeks later on July 1. Started all over again Monday and by Monday night I had a temp of 102.8. I couldn't keep anything in either end. Tues AM went to Primary care Dr ho sent me to the ER. I was one sick puppy. As part of my ER Evaluation they ordered an abdominal CT so I told them about the Tumors and they included them in the CT Exam also. I was admitted to the hospital with severe diverticulitis and stayed for 5 days..they also told me the CT was definitely positive for 2 approximately 2 cm tumors that were 99% RCC and appeared to be encapsulated. They sent a Urologist to see me while I was there and then I saw him in his office as soon as I got out. He referred me to Dr Hwang at Washington Hospital Center.I really didn't have any option except surgery or death...so I am scheduled for a partial nephrectomy done Robotically on Feb 8. Yesterday I happened to notice something someone had posted on my FB wall several months ago and I had saved it..it literally jumped off the wall at me "It said  Sometimes God causing delays in our travels because he knows there is a Storm where we are going"...It brought everything into clear prospective for me...all the delays, the refusals of surgery in the past two years was God delaying my Travel and the Tumors were the Storm...If I had that surgery two years ago my back would probably be great but I would not have needed that myelogram/CT that showed the tumors and I wouldn't be on here yakking because I would have no idea I had cancer again...

    Susie..do your follow ups regularly. The fear will go away but you have to go out and live the best life you can because you have been given the amazing gift of a second chance. Focusing on the fear will only keep you from enjoying that gift to the fullest. It is my understanding that cases like mine of reoccurance are rare..I had a greater chance of it happening because we believe that my RCC is genetically based. So go out there , kick up your heels, and plunge into life with all you have!!

     

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