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dme59 · May 2013

In March I went to the dr. because of urinary tract infection. The dr. suggested seeing a urologist because he said uti's were uncommon in men. I agreed to this and the urologist done a cystoscopy and ultra sound. The ultra sound revealed a 4cm. growth on the right kidney so a ct scan was ordered to further evaluate. After the ct scan I had a biopsy which came back as cancer. The dr. that done the biopsy as well as my urologist and the surgeon who is going to do the surgery seem confident that the surgery will take care of it since it hasn't spread. I go for laparoscopic surgery to remove my right kidney on June 5. My surgeon suggested getting online and doing some research on renal cell carcinoma so that's how I am here. I have read quite a few stories by members here and it has helped somewhat easing tension/anxiety. Thanks to those whose stories I've read so far. You have helped a lot.

MDCinSC · May 2013

Welcome to the place no one wants to be.

Your story sounds very similar to mine. I too was diagnosed in March via CT scan. There was no discussion of biopsy but we went right to the decision of setting a date for surgery. That was last week! I have had a radical nephrectomy for a mass that was supposedly, at the time of the dignosis, 4 X 3.5 X 4.7 CM (about a golf ball). It seems it turned out to be larger but there are no details yet til the pathology report. (Scheduling for that seems to be up in the air due to VA Bureaucracy)

Welcome to a great group of people with two things in common, the demise of RCC, and the support and care for those of us in this exclusive club.

Here is a place you can come to talk, grumble, gripe, complain, shed a tear, share a fear, allow a little self pity, and know that every one of us has been through it and knows where you are.

No questions are out of bounds, we have some very knowledgable people here and they are pulling for you just like the rest of us. So welcome again. Let down your hair, and join in. All we ask is you give back as good as you get!

Michael

dme59 · May 2013

MDCinSC said:
Welcome to the place no one wants to be.
Your story sounds very similar to mine. I too was diagnosed in March via CT scan. There was no discussion of biopsy but we went right to the decision of setting a date for surgery. That was last week! I have had a radical nephrectomy for a mass that was supposedly, at the time of the dignosis, 4 X 3.5 X 4.7 CM (about a golf ball). It seems it turned out to be larger but there are no details yet til the pathology report. (Scheduling for that seems to be up in the air due to VA Bureaucracy)

Welcome to a great group of people with two things in common, the demise of RCC, and the support and care for those of us in this exclusive club.

Here is a place you can come to talk, grumble, gripe, complain, shed a tear, share a fear, allow a little self pity, and know that every one of us has been through it and knows where you are.

No questions are out of bounds, we have some very knowledgable people here and they are pulling for you just like the rest of us. So welcome again. Let down your hair, and join in. All we ask is you give back as good as you get!

Michael

Thanks for the welcome

Michael,

Thanks for the welcome. As I said in the first post, reading the stories people have posted in this forum have already helped. I am sure I'll be back often as the surgery date draws nearer.

Also, I didn't state my name in my initial post. My name is Dan.

Thanks again.

MDCinSC · May 2013

dme59 said:
Thanks for the welcome
Michael,

Thanks for the welcome. As I said in the first post, reading the stories people have posted in this forum have already helped. I am sure I'll be back often as the surgery date draws nearer.

Also, I didn't state my name in my initial post. My name is Dan.

Thanks again.

There is a cadre

here who have been through the surgery experience in the last four seeks or so. We've been cheering eachother on! Keep us posted and we'lld o the same for you! LOL

Don't think it is not an ordeal. It is! the point is, it is an ordeal that you will survive and you will be better off for it!

Start walking now to have better muscle tone for healing. Start drinking water and build up your protein levels now to help with healing.! Start cutting back sugars and alcohols now to slow the growth. Build up a stock f prune juice. You can figure out why! Don't rush healing! Take you time, take your meds, and allow it to pass.

Hang in! Anticipation is the worst part!

Michael

icemantoo · May 2013

MDCinSC said:
There is a cadre
here who have been through the surgery experience in the last four seeks or so. We've been cheering eachother on! Keep us posted and we'lld o the same for you! LOL

Don't think it is not an ordeal. It is! the point is, it is an ordeal that you will survive and you will be better off for it!

Start walking now to have better muscle tone for healing. Start drinking water and build up your protein levels now to help with healing.! Start cutting back sugars and alcohols now to slow the growth. Build up a stock f prune juice. You can figure out why! Don't rush healing! Take you time, take your meds, and allow it to pass.

Hang in! Anticipation is the worst part!

Michael

Backup

Michael,

Good to see you helping with the newbies, being only a week or 2 out of surgery. Pretty soon there will be more and more Michael's helping me ice down the newbies.

In all seriousness we need as many members as possible going straight from their initiation into helping thosee just being diagnosed.

I still remember the feeling of heplessness and shock upon being tolld I had Kidney Cancer 11 years ago. I always thought Cancer is what other people got.

Icemantoo

MDCinSC · May 2013

icemantoo said:
Backup
Michael,

Good to see you helping with the newbies, being only a week or 2 out of surgery. Pretty soon there will be more and more Michael's helping me ice down the newbies.

In all seriousness we need as many members as possible going straight from their initiation into helping thosee just being diagnosed.

I still remember the feeling of heplessness and shock upon being tolld I had Kidney Cancer 11 years ago. I always thought Cancer is what other people got.

Icemantoo

Right!

Thanks Icemantoo! I appreciate the welcome and advice I got when I came here in March. As you say, that diagnosis was the last thing I expected in my life. I also thought it WAS the last thing I could expect. You guys got me straight quickly. Time to pass it on!

Michael

alice124 · May 2013

icemantoo said:
Backup
Michael,

Good to see you helping with the newbies, being only a week or 2 out of surgery. Pretty soon there will be more and more Michael's helping me ice down the newbies.

In all seriousness we need as many members as possible going straight from their initiation into helping thosee just being diagnosed.

I still remember the feeling of heplessness and shock upon being tolld I had Kidney Cancer 11 years ago. I always thought Cancer is what other people got.

Icemantoo

Backup

So right you are Iceman - but "ice down"??????

alice124 · May 2013

New member

Dan,

Sorry of your need to join this group, but you're tougher than the Cancer. Don't doubt that. It's kick butt time. Did you notice that "val1963" who also posted today has the same surgery date as you do? More moral support?

Michael and Ice have given you good advice. Since Michael just had the surgery, he's a great one to gauge what's before you. But you'll be fine.

MDCinSC · May 2013

alice124 said:
Backup
So right you are Iceman - but "ice down"??????

Bwa Ha Ha Ha!

I saw it! Thats what he said!

dme59 · May 2013

alice124 said:
New member
Dan,

Sorry of your need to join this group, but you're tougher than the Cancer. Don't doubt that. It's kick butt time. Did you notice that "val1963" who also posted today has the same surgery date as you do? More moral support?

Michael and Ice have given you good advice. Since Michael just had the surgery, he's a great one to gauge what's before you. But you'll be fine.

Alice,
Thanks for the

Alice,

Thanks for the encouraging words. Actually all three of the doctors I have dealt with through all the testing leading up to my surgery have been very encouraging. They seem to think the surgery will be a success. The surgeon told me that no one wants to get cancer, but the cancer I got was one of the better ones to get if you have to come down with cancer. They are telling me I should be good after the surgery. I am not foolish enough to think I am free and clear of this disease, but the confidence of my doctors has me feeling somewhat at ease with what is going on. Having never had surgery of any kind, I think I am more nervous about that than I am over the fact that the surgery is to rid my body of cancer. I am ready to, as you put it...kick butt.

Dan

Labora1986 · May 2013

Fresh out of Hosp

Hi

Im 100% fresh to all of this (although i have been reading alot of content on her the past month or so.)

I dont really know what i want to gain from this , however something inside is telling me to connect with other people who have shared my experience. As you can probally tell from my photo , im a fairly young man (26 to be precise.) The biggest impact this whole 2 month 'journey' has had on me is a psycological on for sure . I feel im to young for this , cant imagine spending however long i have left carrying this chip on my shoulders as i have a fairly over active imagination at the best of times.

I guess what im wanting, or what im asking is how did you guys deal with that side of it??

Thank you

MDCinSC · May 2013

Labora1986 said:
Fresh out of Hosp
Hi

Im 100% fresh to all of this (although i have been reading alot of content on her the past month or so.)

I dont really know what i want to gain from this , however something inside is telling me to connect with other people who have shared my experience. As you can probally tell from my photo , im a fairly young man (26 to be precise.) The biggest impact this whole 2 month 'journey' has had on me is a psycological on for sure . I feel im to young for this , cant imagine spending however long i have left carrying this chip on my shoulders as i have a fairly over active imagination at the best of times.

I guess what im wanting, or what im asking is how did you guys deal with that side of it??

Thank you

Overactive Imagination?

LOL My PhD is in Theatre! LOL I deal with a very powerful imagination.

I can sum it up for me in some powerful words I read this morning written by Texas Wedge.

ACCEPT THE CHANGE AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

I take that to mean simply that the most important thing that you cannot allow cancer to destroy is your hope for the future. Face it, there is nothing we can do to change the facts. Facts describe the situation. They are how things happen or happen to be.

TRUTH on the other hand explains WHY. It is up to you to write your truth, your myth if you will, that compels you to move ahead in spite of facts and live it like it will last forever, drive it like you stole it, and use it until it wears out!

You've been handed a crap sandwich. You may have to deal with the stink, but you don't have to eat it unless you choose to.

So I'm not a poet! Write your myth large. Grab it as long as you have it and love every minute of it.

Pax!

Michael

Texas_wedge · May 2013

MDCinSC said:
Overactive Imagination?
LOL My PhD is in Theatre! LOL I deal with a very powerful imagination.

I can sum it up for me in some powerful words I read this morning written by Texas Wedge.

ACCEPT THE CHANGE AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

I take that to mean simply that the most important thing that you cannot allow cancer to destroy is your hope for the future. Face it, there is nothing we can do to change the facts. Facts describe the situation. They are how things happen or happen to be.

TRUTH on the other hand explains WHY. It is up to you to write your truth, your myth if you will, that compels you to move ahead in spite of facts and live it like it will last forever, drive it like you stole it, and use it until it wears out!

You've been handed a crap sandwich. You may have to deal with the stink, but you don't have to eat it unless you choose to.

So I'm not a poet! Write your myth large. Grab it as long as you have it and love every minute of it.

Pax!

Michael

Credit where it's due

Of course I endorse what Michael has said, but he gives me undue credit - I was quoting the words of my friend Rae, who, I thought, caught it perfectly in those few words.

Labora, can you tell us a bit about your pathology report? We might be able to give you some helpful thoughts and support if we know a bit more. Meantime, welcome here - you may be surprised at the increasing number of folks of your sort of age coming on here and you might establish some rapport with some of them.

GSRon · May 2013

Texas_wedge said:
Credit where it's due
Of course I endorse what Michael has said, but he gives me undue credit - I was quoting the words of my friend Rae, who, I thought, caught it perfectly in those few words.

Labora, can you tell us a bit about your pathology report? We might be able to give you some helpful thoughts and support if we know a bit more. Meantime, welcome here - you may be surprised at the increasing number of folks of your sort of age coming on here and you might establish some rapport with some of them.

Young.. nah.. just less experienced..

Maybe that sounds a bit harsh.. but my Mom always told me that there is someone worse off than you... No, that won't make you smile, but maybe it will give you some perspective. Not long ago there was a posting from a Mom that has an 11 month old child with Kidney Cancer.. now that is toooo young for sure... sad.. very sad..

However, youth is on your side.. I suspect/hope you are otherwise healthy.. this will help you in the long run. So, diet and exercise is your friend.

And more importantly there are some awesome new drugs right around the corner. Check out the thread on what is coming.

Be Well..!

Ron - out to work on my motorpickle..

Djinnie · May 2013

Labora1986 said:
Fresh out of Hosp
Hi

Im 100% fresh to all of this (although i have been reading alot of content on her the past month or so.)

I dont really know what i want to gain from this , however something inside is telling me to connect with other people who have shared my experience. As you can probally tell from my photo , im a fairly young man (26 to be precise.) The biggest impact this whole 2 month 'journey' has had on me is a psycological on for sure . I feel im to young for this , cant imagine spending however long i have left carrying this chip on my shoulders as i have a fairly over active imagination at the best of times.

I guess what im wanting, or what im asking is how did you guys deal with that side of it??

Thank you

Fresh Out of Hospital

I can imagine this must be very difficult for you to comprehend, when you are young you don't expect this sort of health problem.What sort of procedure have you been through, and how are you doing now?

The fact that you are young and active, can only work in your favour. Having cancer does change your life, but you don't have to dwell on it all of the time. I can only speak for myself, I have had cancer four times now, it is a fact and I accept it. There is not much I can do about it, I can't change the past. I can do something about my future though, so I am putting all my energy into staying as fit and healthy as I can. I wish to enjoy a long and happy life, the only way I can do that is to stay positive, and look forward.

Djinnie

foxhd · May 2013

Labora1986 said:
Fresh out of Hosp
Hi

Im 100% fresh to all of this (although i have been reading alot of content on her the past month or so.)

I dont really know what i want to gain from this , however something inside is telling me to connect with other people who have shared my experience. As you can probally tell from my photo , im a fairly young man (26 to be precise.) The biggest impact this whole 2 month 'journey' has had on me is a psycological on for sure . I feel im to young for this , cant imagine spending however long i have left carrying this chip on my shoulders as i have a fairly over active imagination at the best of times.

I guess what im wanting, or what im asking is how did you guys deal with that side of it??

Thank you

It's easier

For some of us because we are older. So we really do understand the scare at only 26. Sucks. No one wants cancer and especially so young. But you need to tell us much more. Coping comes with accepting your reality. Live on. Pay attention and learn. You'll find that kidney cancer is being managed quite effectively compared with just a few years ago. There are a lot of posts over the past that will begin to give you a perspective as to how we are doing. You have come to the right place. What's going on?

todd121 · May 2013

Labora1986 said:
Fresh out of Hosp
Hi

Im 100% fresh to all of this (although i have been reading alot of content on her the past month or so.)

I dont really know what i want to gain from this , however something inside is telling me to connect with other people who have shared my experience. As you can probally tell from my photo , im a fairly young man (26 to be precise.) The biggest impact this whole 2 month 'journey' has had on me is a psycological on for sure . I feel im to young for this , cant imagine spending however long i have left carrying this chip on my shoulders as i have a fairly over active imagination at the best of times.

I guess what im wanting, or what im asking is how did you guys deal with that side of it??

Thank you

Imagination - To the newbies

Check out Gerald White's CD on guided imagery. I suggest ordering it and listening to it. I converted it to mp3 and put it on my iPhone and listen to it every night as I'm falling asleep. I'd like to write and record my own version at some point to make it my own. Right now I'm just glad to hear Gerald's voice every night reminding me that this cancer can be beat. (He was stage 4 20 years ago and given 6 months to live, and is now cancer free 20 years later).

One of the things Gerald quotes on the CD is something someone else said (sorry I forget, but I believe it was a doctor or a specialist in guided imagery) and it goes something like this "100% of cancer patients practice guided imagery: unfortunately it's the negative kind".

This CD has some very positive guided imagery, and I think it can be good for anyone dealing with RCC whether they have a small tumor that can fully be resected leaving them a very small probability of recurrence, or a larger tumor like mine that was T3a with a 40-50% chance of recurrence.

Please share with us your pathology report Labora. Your age makes your situation unusual. RCC is more common among men starting in their late 40's.

Best wishes to you.

Todd

dme59 · May 2013

Well, going to see if I can

Well, going to see if I can relax my mind some from thinking so much about my upcoming surgery by driving to Cincinnati to see the Reds play the Cleveland Indians. Afternoon game and about 2 1/2 hour drive from where I live in n/w Ohio so going to make a day trip of it. My brother is going along, fellow Reds fan and back up driver if needed. Might just be the therapy I need to ease the worry.

Meeting with the surgeon and anesthesiologist on Thursday then surgery one week from Wednesday (June 5). As I mentioned in previous posts all the doctors have been giving me encouraging words that surgery should take care of this beast and I remain hopeful this is so. I think I am thinking more about the surgery than I am the cancer. Anyhow, hopefully this trip does the trick for now.

Will check in later as to how it went.

Dan

DonMiller · May 2013

dme59 said:
Well, going to see if I can
Well, going to see if I can relax my mind some from thinking so much about my upcoming surgery by driving to Cincinnati to see the Reds play the Cleveland Indians. Afternoon game and about 2 1/2 hour drive from where I live in n/w Ohio so going to make a day trip of it. My brother is going along, fellow Reds fan and back up driver if needed. Might just be the therapy I need to ease the worry.

Meeting with the surgeon and anesthesiologist on Thursday then surgery one week from Wednesday (June 5). As I mentioned in previous posts all the doctors have been giving me encouraging words that surgery should take care of this beast and I remain hopeful this is so. I think I am thinking more about the surgery than I am the cancer. Anyhow, hopefully this trip does the trick for now.

Will check in later as to how it went.

Dan

Surgery & Oncology

Hey Dan

First let me say screw the Reds. Anyway, I posted a long winded story of my surgery a few days back. It really isn't that bad. If you are able, you should try to see an oncologist before or shortly after the surgery. No one told me to do this and I did not have an opportunity to eroll in a clinical trial. I have or may not have done it ..........it's a complicated thing, but I should have had the option. My ignorence.

My anesthesiologist was a great guy. He comes into the Operating Room and he starts putting something in my IV. I say "Doc, what is that?" He says they have to keep me awake for 15 or 20 minutes to strap me nude in an unusual position". I said " You got to be kidding?" He said no, but on the bright side I wouldn't remember a thing. It was true. I woke up 7 1/2 hours later and it was like a minute. The next day he stopped by my room ( more then I can say for my surgeon) and I asked him if it was really true and he said "Oh yeah, you told me to **** myself a couple of times but don't worry about it, alot of people do".

I had a huge 11CM Stage 3 tumor and to be honest my health isn't the best. I am pretty fat and used to smoke. Not enough excercise and I am a litigator. The surgery, as someone said here, is really to get the tumor out of you and to see what kind of problem you have. It is the first step. you will be fine.

You will be stuck at home for two weeks so make sure you got Netflix and cable and perocets. Also everyone tries to be nice to you which can get annoying pretty quickly. It is really nothing to worry about. It sucks sure...........but not as bad as say..........The Reds

Don

From New York City and thinking of that 1999 one game playoff

MDCinSC · May 2013

dme59 said:
Well, going to see if I can
Well, going to see if I can relax my mind some from thinking so much about my upcoming surgery by driving to Cincinnati to see the Reds play the Cleveland Indians. Afternoon game and about 2 1/2 hour drive from where I live in n/w Ohio so going to make a day trip of it. My brother is going along, fellow Reds fan and back up driver if needed. Might just be the therapy I need to ease the worry.

Meeting with the surgeon and anesthesiologist on Thursday then surgery one week from Wednesday (June 5). As I mentioned in previous posts all the doctors have been giving me encouraging words that surgery should take care of this beast and I remain hopeful this is so. I think I am thinking more about the surgery than I am the cancer. Anyhow, hopefully this trip does the trick for now.

Will check in later as to how it went.

Dan

Normal Reaction

I got pre-occupied with the surgery and my imagination kept going wild! Diversions are good. Keep it up!

I finally started looking towards the surgery as my release date from the tumor. Once gone, it can do no more harm. That is liberating!

Where in NW Ohio? I got my PhD at BGSU. I loved my time in the upper midwest! I still long for Lake Erie and Walleyes plus the Yellow Perch sandwiches!

Look for the positives! This surgery, while life changing, is also life giving!

I'll think of you on the 5th while I'm sitting in my doctor's office getting a thorough going over!

Michael

dme59 · May 2013

MDCinSC said:
Normal Reaction
I got pre-occupied with the surgery and my imagination kept going wild! Diversions are good. Keep it up!

I finally started looking towards the surgery as my release date from the tumor. Once gone, it can do no more harm. That is liberating!

Where in NW Ohio? I got my PhD at BGSU. I loved my time in the upper midwest! I still long for Lake Erie and Walleyes plus the Yellow Perch sandwiches!

Look for the positives! This surgery, while life changing, is also life giving!

I'll think of you on the 5th while I'm sitting in my doctor's office getting a thorough going over!

Michael

Michael,
I live in a small

Michael,

I live in a small town 14 miles southeast of Bowling Green. Close enough we can see the glow from the football stadium when they have a night game. Been to many games at BG, mostly football but catch the occasional basketball or hockey game too.

Diversion was good, even if only for a day. The distraction of thinking about surgery hasn't been horribly bad other than I find I can sleep a little better if I sleep in my recliner as opposed to the bed. For some reason seem to lay awake forever. On the bright side, One week from tomorrow the wait is finally over. Hopefully back to normal as far as sleep anyhow.

Dan

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