New need advice / update

Max57 said:

So tomorrow  iam going to see

So tomorrow  iam going to see my Urologist

can someone guide me what to aske him

after I meet him what kind of decisions he

going to make

Max,

My first visit to the urologist was a very quick affair.  As I said above, they are going to want to get rid of the tumor ASAP and you are going to nod and go along with the plan because that's what we do.  Get it out.  

My experience was that I was very calm after seeing him.  He had an air of confidence and knowledge about him that put me at ease and I knew that this was the best course of action.  Hopefully you get the same sense.  Leading up to the surgery will be tough; you will be nervous, but it feels good to have a plan and know that in a few short weeks you will (very likely) be cancer free.  AFTER the surgery when they see what type of cancer and everything else is really when the questions and long term planning comes into effect.

For now, make sure your docs know what they're doing and get the tumor out.

- Jay

Max57 said:

Update... help

So tomorrow  iam going to see my Urologist 

can someone guide me what to aske him

after I meet him what kind of decisions he

going to make

Max,

A couple of things to consider with your urologist.  Your surgery will be either laparascopic (maybe with a robot) or an open surgery.  For the size of your tumor, you may be looking at a partial nephrectomy (removal of only a part of your kidney along with the tumor).  However, if your tumor is in a diffifcult location, you may need a radical nephrectomy (complete removal of the kidney with the tumor).   Even if you are scheduled for a partial nephrectomy, it is likely you will sign a consent form that a radical nephrectomy may need to be performed, as sometimes one the surgery starts, a radical nephrectomy becomes necessary.  Some surgeons perform both types of surgery laparascopic and open.  Some only perform one type. The urologist may also explain the time of recovery. While laparascopic surgery is often indicated as having a shorter recovery time, many here have had a good recovery time with the open surgery.   The first urologist I visited indicated I would need a radical nephrectomy because my tumor was in a bad location.  I got a second opinion, and the second surgeon was able to do a partial nephrectomy by open surgery and preserve 95% of my kidney.   Hope this helps.

aamdsi said:

Doctor's know best

Wish I could tell you yes, but....  The Dr.'s know what they are doing.  They also know that keeping part is better than taking everything - unless it isn't safe for you.

I know many on this board have but one kidney and doing great, living like they still had both. And many of us have partials and doing the same.  I have a step-sister that has just one and it was donated and she is doing fabulous.

You just need to allow them to know what they are doing and spend your energy on getting well after 8-)  I know I know, easier said than done...but do try. 

It just sucks doesn't it.

 

Max, mine was a 3.5 cm tumor and an open partial. I opted for open because my surgeon/oncologist explained the difference between lap and open and convinced me open was best and safest. I did not have a hard recovery and was out of the hospital in 2 days. I was up and walking the night of the surgery. Off pain killers in about 10 - 14 days; dont' remember. Incision is just a little over 4 inches. So if it has to be an open one, don't worry. It's not as awful as everyone, myself included fears it. Questions to ask are:

1. what surgical procedures are my options?

2. explain each one and give me the advantages and disadvantages.

Once it's over, regardless of the procedure, get up and walk as soon as possible and walk as much as possible. Also drink tons of water. Use breathing exercises they give you to keep your lungs clear.

 Your loss of appetite right now is 99 percent due to nerves and anxiety I bet. But once it's over you still wont' be very hungry. I wasn't for about 4 - 5 days and just forced myself to eat soft boiled eggs, toast, soup, things like that.

Best of luck and please let us know how everything is going.

Max57 said:

APny /aamdsi

Thanks so much for sweet comfort comments I really need them this cancer hit me and my wife and the kids from no were and just left us speechless confused... What went wrong why what........no answers... My daughter  she is  29 saide yesterday that she is going to wake up and it was just bad dreamy... 

Max, pleas eremember and try to persuade your family that 2,5 cm kidney cancer is far from the worst nightmare! It is tough thing to face for sure, but not the worst. Your prognosis after surgery is great based on the size of your tumor. You should not think of your situation as of deadly one.

Max57 said:

Allochka

Sure I will try  and I agree with  you it's tough 

Yes, it hit us all out of the blue and it’s awful. I think we all went through the “how did this happen” phase. I simply looked at my urologist and without thinking blurted out “who the fu** gets kidney cancer? I never heard of anyone who had it. And it’s an equal opportunity disease. All the risk factors were missing for me: I’m thin, I exercised all my life, don’t eat fried or fatty or unhealthy foods, don’t smoke, I’m not a male, and have normal to low blood pressure. Not a single member of my family ever had cancer of any kind. So go figure how I got so “lucky” lol?

It sounds like you’ll be having a partial and honestly, that way they can see the kidney, feel the kidney, and get a good idea of whether a partial will do it or it may have to turn into a radical. If they can save the majority of your kidney that would be fabulous. If not, as others have said, you can live a healthy full life with one. I did not have staples, only surgical tape. That made for a very thin scar and less discomfort while healing. Thank god your tumor is small and most likely completely contained to the kidney. Which means you’ll most likely be around for a long time J

Max57 said:

APny /aamdsi

Thanks so much for sweet comfort comments I really need them this cancer hit me and my wife and the kids from no were and just left us speechless confused... What went wrong why what........no answers... My daughter  she is  29 saide yesterday that she is going to wake up and it was just bad dreamy... 

I'm 48, and I have two boys who are 14 and 11 years old.  When this hit me, we all took it in stride, but it was very hard on my youngest boy.  I remember the day I left for the hospital, my youngest guy started bawling.  I was scared of the unknown, the surgery, the recovery.  I did not join this site until after my surgery, and I had read some horror stories about the surgery elsewhere--all of them were unfounded.  I wish I had found this site earlier.  I look back on the whole pre-surgery experience and feel a little bit silly about my reaction--normally, I am a pretty tough person and don't let anything get me down.  But at the time, the enormity of the "C" word, an open surgery on a major organ and an epic fight with my health insurance company to let me have the surgery done at Sloan Kettering wore me down to a ball of emotions.   THankfully, my wonderful wife was my rock and handled me with care before, during and after the surgery.   Now, 8 months later, everyone around our house act like nothing happened.  Pretty much back to normal, and it has been that way for several months.   I even feel strange saying that I "had cancer" because it seemed like a temporary resident in my body.  But I am also a little wary and vigilant about the small chance of recurrence.   We are all different, and as Jan said, you have to find your new normal and your comfort zone.  It took me a while to find mine.