I have a couple of questions.

Just wait for the pathology.   I assume you are have been scanned to know if there are any areas.     I don't think the size of the kidney has impact on prognosis; there is some thought the size of the tumor can give insight - do you have the size of the tumor?    Even then, you are case study of one - the odds may not apply to you personally.   JMHO. 

Hi Michael, It is not unusual for your taste buds to be effected after an operation, particularly your taste for sweet or spicy food. Not having a passion for sweet, sugary food can work in your favour now though, as it should help you to eliminate it from your diet. I should have said, if you are going on the diet recommended for cancer sufferers.

Djinnie

Jerry White, of whom you have probably by now heard tell, had a kidney tumor that weighed 20 lbs.  We've had quite a few members here, of both genders, who've had tumors measuring over 20cm.  They vary enormously.  I have a golfing chum whose Wife is now doing fine after removal of a chest wall tumor.  She is petite and was blissfully unaware of hte tumor until, while having a routine screening her GP said she noticed a slight bulge.  The tumor was the size of a soccer ball and they had to remove three of her ribs to get it out.  Frankly, I thought it improbable that she would survive for long   Her op was around the same time as mine and she's actually doing better than I am.

Changes of taste are part of this territory for some.  If you suffer it, it comes and goes.  I'm in it at the moment - just had a fresh cream chocolate eclair with coffee and I really can't say what it tastes like - just unfamiliar and not very appealing - probably just as well!  I agree that it's no bad thing if you are put off sweet things at the moment (other than that lovely Wife of yours, of course!).

Oh I will be most thankful if I never likes sweets again after my surgery!   ha ha 

How are you feeling?  Moving around pretty good? 

I can't add any insight to your questions about size but I wanted to say hello and check your progress.

Take Care! 

MDCinSC said:

Moving pretty well actually.

I am walking in the neighborhood, cautiously and not too far. I understand why all the admonitions about being realistic in what you attempt. It was worse than I anticipated.

My neighbors are helpful and are handling all my yard and garden work for me (how long can I stretch this out?) and I'm getting all kinds of goodies and treats!   Unfortunately most are sweet and gloppy and since the surgery I can't abide sweet stuff! lol  I am appreciative and tell them how wonderful they are!  The acts of kindness certainly are and my grand daughter appreciates the goodies. 

Still awaiting "the event," and I am trying to hasten it on with prune juice. I think that will improve my overall feeling of health more than anything.

Each day is better than the one before it!

Michael:

I had my left kidney and a 9cm x 8cm x 6cm tumour removed 2 months back.

Two points: getting the bowels moving again was probably the worst thing of all - took me about 30 hours of serious straining, a week after the operation. Consulted my doctor and she prescribed enemas (which I didn't use) and mild laxatives (orange-flavoured!) which I had a couple. Eventually 'the dam opened' and it's a great feeling! Prune juice and fruit generally are a good idea - and a toilet where you can be left alone (I know others mean well asking if you are 'all right' but it's not helpful!) It will happen, ok?

The other bit is that though mine was a major version of the operation (4.5 hours, dropped 5kg in weight, had the rib cartilage 'excised' and lost over a litre of blood) and I am 'signed off' by the doctor for at least a further six weeks, I still feel I am malingering and being lazy, so in answer, stretch it out as long as the medics say you should. And take care restarting driving, for instance.

Carpe diem

Peter

MDCinSC said:

Good advice!

Thank you!   I wish you the best on your recovery!

Hi Michael...  I suggest you think about your diet, then let your friends and family know what you decide...  Best use this experience as a form of wake up call.. get yourself in even better shape..!!    For me, I cut out a lot of foods that I used to love, and am learning to love the better foods now..  Talk to your doctor, but most likely sugar and salt are two items to radically reduce your intake of..  I rarely have any red meat anymore, I had some beef for lunch yesterday and that was the first red meat since March.  I eat a lot of fruits and veggies plus a lot of fish and some chicken.  Seasonings, most have salt, Mrs Dash has several kinds of seasoning that are salt free.   Watch out for anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup.   That said, I do not let my diet make me miserable..   You need to find your own happy medium..

Glad you are up and walking..!!

Be Well

Ron

GSRon said:

One UP

I finally got one up on Fox...  I got out of bed on the second day after my surgery and shiffled my feet to a portable commode..   My body left one nice pile.. No muss no fuss... and I was regular from then on...   Kind of embarrasing that the Nurses insist on trying to get a measurement on the size of said deposit for my medical chart...   And then as I had tubes in both arms, my neck, and one in my ahem place they had to wipe my bottom.. sigh..   Oh yes, they measured everything that went in and out of me... but then I had some complications and was in the ICU for 10 days...  Some of you had it easy, by my standards..!!

Rest up.. get well..

Ron

...it was number 2 down.

MeMeJoy said:

sweets

Hi Michael!

Glad you are up and about! I know Im a little late to the game on this one, but wanted to share... I had the same adversion to sweets after my surgery. So much so that I haven't had a sip of sweet tea yet! And I'm from Alabama!! lol

I felt so bad for my kids, before my surgery my favorite sweet was white chocolate so they brought me some and I just couldn't eat any. The thought made me queasy. After a week or so though I finally ate a piece just to be nice and it wasn't that bad...Not as good as I remember but not bad either!

Things seem really salty too! In fact the only "craving" I've had that lived up to my expectation was fruit (watermelon, melon, strawberrys, and blackberries yum!)

A member of my Cancer Survivors' Support Group had a 13 pound tumor with kidney removed about 15 years ago.  She had been experiencing referred pain on the right kidney, but the tumor was on the left.  The time between Dx, when it was only about 1# and removal less than 3 weeks later showed it had grown about 12 pounds.  It was encapsulated in a "sticky pocket", with no cells outside.  The surgery for cancer went OK but there was damage to the colon where the capsule had grown to it and she had to have 10" of her intestine removed.

Other than arthritis and her age, she's doing well.

Donna