Borrowing trouble - need to be talked down!

Debbie,

These extraterrestorial issues do not sound like Kidney Cancer to me. But what do I know, I am not a doctor. Get the workup after your insurance kicks in. Good luck.

Icemantoo

Hi Debbie, Having Cancer is scary there is no doubt about it, those of us that have it can attest to that. As of yet you don't have that as a diagnosis, you have a group of symptoms which you are madly trying to piece together and you have determined the outcome. This is only because you have convinced yourself that it is going to be cancer, it could be but as likely not! You need to take a step back and wait for factual evidence, what good is all of this doing you? You are letting your imagination take complete control, which is never a good idea. I mean look where you are going with this, not only do you have kidney cancer but it has now spread to the brain all in the speed of two posts, I dread to read your next one! You need to put the breaks on!

You say on your other post, 'you would rather be prepared for the worst than be surprised', in my experience surprises are more often good than bad! The only thing you should be prepared for is to wait and see, take your mind off it for now, occupy yourself elsewhere; other than madly searching on the computer!!! If it does turn out to be the worst case scenario (and I hope it doesn't) at least you have the benefit of catching it in time, which as you know is all important. I was first diagnosed in 2003 and I'm still ticking. If it should happen to you, there will be time enough for all this anxiety in the mean time please give yourself a break:)

Djinnie x

dpitts2014 said:

Thank You All!

I knew when I was posting that I was going completely off the deep end .  I needed to just spew what was on my mind - I truly hope that I didn't offend anyone, especially since what I am hoping is not going to happen has already happened to most of you.  Thank you all for making me take a step back and wait to freak out.

The problem with me is that I have a significant medical history - just about anything that could happen has happened, outside of the big C and a major trauma (ohhh, knock on wood a million times).  I started having debilitating migraines at the age of 21.  I was able to successfully give birth to 2 wonderful boys, but then had unexplained secondary infertility, causing me to miscarry 8 times (we eventually adopted our precious little girl who is now 14).  At 30 and 36 years of age I had pulmonary embolisms.  At 40 I got an abdominal infection that led to a huge abscess and fistulas that needed 14 separate operations to repair.  Then at age 42 I had a series of mini-strokes that left me week on the left side - now, whenever I have a migraine, certain vessels in my brain tend to become occluded and when they do, I become paralyzed on my left side for up to 24 hours.  So, I have to run to the ER whenever I can't get a migraine quickly under control.  And I swear to you, at 41 and 42 years old respectively, I had to have cataracts removed from both eyes!  Last year I had pericarditis (severe swelling around the heart).  Then I had a severe hemorrhagic episode this June - they needed to remove my uterus and decided to do a complete hysterectomy, hoping to stop some hormones which may have contributed to my migraines. 

And these are just the major health events!  At 45 yrs old, I have been under general anesthesia approximately 30 times.  All this has trained me to be a complete hypochondriac.  (My husband says you aren't a real hypochondriac if you worry about whether or not you are a hypochondriac - but I beg to differ! ) Please understand that I am not trying to look for sympathy or pity - I've had enough of that for a life time!  Rather, I am trying to explain "me" a little - everytime I have thought something was no big deal, it ended up being huge and life threatening.  Now I tend to go straight to life-threatening, no passing go or collecting $200.  And historically, the worst has been the actuality.  Good news for everyone here, once I actually know the facts and don't have to go postal wondering, I do tend to calm down, put my big girl panties back on, and take care of business.  Since my first appointment with the urologist is tomorrow, you won't have to put up with crazy me for much longer (At least I hope some of you will put up with me and continue responding)

Thanks for reading the ramblings of an anxiety riddled woman!  Debbie

Debbie, please don't think anyone is offended by your post, because there is no reason to be! You have definately had far more than your fair share of health issues. All the more reason not to stretch yourself to the limits with stress. I am so sorry you have had so much to deal with, but I am just concerned about the harm you are doing to yourself with this mental torture. I would not want you to feel that you can't come on here to just open up, but you did express a wish to be talked down, I was complying, lol!

I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow and you get a chance to discuss and rid yourself of some of these fears. Try to stay positive, I know it is difficult, we will be thinking of you and will always be here to support you through it all. I still recommend staying away from google in the meantime:)

All the best!

Djinnie x

I hope it calms you to know that it's quite unlikely. One of the top RCC specialists in the country (Dr. Robert Figlin) told me that only 5% of Stage 4 RCC patients ever get brain mets. Personally, I found this reassuring. Secondly, I've known a few people that have had them, and seizures was not a primary symptom. (Not saying it's not possible, just saying that all of this is very unlikey for you.) It's particularly unlikely as a first site of metastasis. The usual progression after kidney is bones/lungs, renal cavity/abdomen, liver, and then on to other things.

Probably you have a higher likelihood of having a plane drop out of the sky and falling on you.

Hopefully you're worrying about the plane now. If so, my job here is done. )

Todd

Hi Debbie.  Sorry you've had to join us here .  I wanted to address your "electrical activity".  My first thought was wondering if you take an SSRI? Sometimes if you need a dose adjustment on an anti-D, it can cause brain zaps, which feel like electric shocks in your brain and elsewhere.  Random thought I know, but anything is possible.

Like the others said, it's unlikely to be brain mets.  Could be related to your migraines.  Best to seek a dr opinion for sure.  Mention it to your Uro tomorrow.

Good luck.  Try not to be too frightened.  As far as early cancers go, kidney is a simple one to treat.

dpitts2014 said:

Wow, yes I do!

As a matter of fact, I do take an SSRI and without insurance I've been relying on samples from the office, and have missed the occasional dose.  That really makes me feel better knowing that is a possible reason for the zaps!

Dollars to donuts that's what causing it.  You know drug companies have a patient assistance program to pay for your meds?  I take Effexor, and if my insurance didn't pay for it, I'd utilize their funding.  I find even 4 hours or so  before my next dose I get zaps sometimes.  Might have to split it up and take it twice a day.