New member -1 year scan approaches

cancerat46
cancerat46 Member Posts: 52
edited February 2013 in Kidney Cancer #1

This is my first posting on any message board for RCC. I've read discussions on this board off and on since my radical nephrectomy last Feb. but finally just got the courage to signup and join in the discussion. My tumor (5.5 cm, clear cell, grade2) was also found incidentally during an ultrasound ordered by my doc after a night in the hospital due to extreme nausea and fainting twice. To tell the truth even though I was shocked (I mean who isn't when they hear "cancer") I was not entirely surprised. For about a year prior to diagnosis I just had a feeling that I had cancer somewhere....can't say exactly why other than a general increasing feeling of being un-well. Can't really go to your doc with that! So thank God for what appears to have been a major flu bug that bit me in Jan. 2012. That's what put me in the hospital and I decided it was time to follow up with my doc and tell him all the little nagging un-well feelings I'd been having. He ordered the US (suspecting a gallbladder issue) and BAM-CANCER. I guess a girl really should trust her intuition! CT then quickly followed which confirmed highly suspicious for RCC. That abdominal CT also caught just the base of my lungs and a nodules was spotted. Chest CT quickly followed that and found multiple nodules. Most were calcified and listed as likely granulomas, but two 3mm non-calcified nodules were also seen. Docs said most likely those are also granulomas that just haven't calcified yet, but mete could not be totally ruled out. So, my 1 yr followup CT approaches in 2 weeks and I can't shake the fear. I had a lung CT back in July and it said 4mm nodules but also said "Unchanged" so just feeling very scared. Just saw my GP yesterday due to increasingly severe fatigue and shortness of breath/wheezing. He did chest dray and said it looked Ok but I know they don't show fairly small nodes well. He also is took about 5 lab tests so I just have to wait and see. He also started me on an asthma inhaled to see if that improves anything. Any words of encouragement and/or validation would be greatly appreciated!

Comments

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #2
    shortness of breath

    If you are feeling short of breath but nothing shows on your scan, I wouldn't worry about lung mets at this time. I had maybe 10-15 or so mets in my lungs but was jogging fine. Not SOB. One thing for sure is that you can't forget about having had cancer. That will keep you having follow ups. That is a good thing. Worrying becomes a major pasttime. Don't let it replace good living.

  • cancerat46
    cancerat46 Member Posts: 52
    #3
    foxhd said:

    shortness of breath

    If you are feeling short of breath but nothing shows on your scan, I wouldn't worry about lung mets at this time. I had maybe 10-15 or so mets in my lungs but was jogging fine. Not SOB. One thing for sure is that you can't forget about having had cancer. That will keep you having follow ups. That is a good thing. Worrying becomes a major pasttime. Don't let it replace good living.

    Thanks!
    Foxhd - Thanks so much for the info on SOB....fitting acronym for this disease by the way! You're my fist ever reply and I didn't realize how alone I felt until you reached out with your reassurance. Thank you for giving me insight and your wisdom. Don't feel so alone now.
  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #4
    Lung metes

    My neighbor Faye across the street originally found out about her RCC after lung metes were discovered. That was 18 years ago. Faye is doing fine now and is only 82.

     

    Icemantoo

  • cancerat46
    cancerat46 Member Posts: 52
    #5
    Finally scanned today!
    My 1yr scan got a bit delayed due to someone at the doc's office dropping the ball on scheduling it. I told her she wasn't helping my scanxiety at all! But the CT scan finally happened today. What a relief to get that ball rolling. So looking forward to hearing (and keeping my fingers crossed for) the doc say those 3 little letters....NED! Any good thoughts you can send my way would be much appreciated!
  • Hanno
    Hanno Member Posts: 45
    #6
    cancerat46 said:

    Finally scanned today!
    My 1yr scan got a bit delayed due to someone at the doc's office dropping the ball on scheduling it. I told her she wasn't helping my scanxiety at all! But the CT scan finally happened today. What a relief to get that ball rolling. So looking forward to hearing (and keeping my fingers crossed for) the doc say those 3 little letters....NED! Any good thoughts you can send my way would be much appreciated!

    Sending ALL good thoughts...

    Nice work on dropping the ball guys, but at least you picked it up!! Sending nothing but extra special luck and positive thoughts your way. x x 

  • cancerat46
    cancerat46 Member Posts: 52
    #7
    Hanno said:

    Sending ALL good thoughts...

    Nice work on dropping the ball guys, but at least you picked it up!! Sending nothing but extra special luck and positive thoughts your way. x x 

    Thanks Hanno!
    It means the world to have support from others that truly understand! I'm so ready to hear NED and try to have a great year...'til next year. Thanks again!

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