Just Diagnosed and Very Scared

Mary,

Sorry I can not help you with the hysterectomy part, but as far as the kidney mass, its discovery at 1.3 cm is as good as it gets on this board. I am assuming they will follow up with a CT to further **** the mass. While most of us have our kidney removed by surgery (a nepherectomy) other options might be available with a mass so small. At 1.3 cm the doctors are in no hurray (much biggar masses get you to the front of the line). Based upon your diagnosis so far i would expect you to be around for another 44 years or at least until the grandchildren are married off.

Icemantoo

You're allowed to be scared. Cancer is scarey.

As you and your doctors deal with it , it will become less scarey. What you describe, in terms of size and lack of spread is actually very good news. You'll be OK and at that stage your disease is very treatable.

Dont worry. We've all had that 'I'VE GOT WHAT?" moment. It will pass and you will be able to deal with it.

Shecka1121 said:

Thank You.

Thank you for the quick and encouraging comments. I will take them as truth since you all have been here in one way or another.  I really appreciate it. I read in a post by someone in this group is watching the reactions of people that are close to you.  That is hard as they do not make it better.  You all have and I am thankful.

 

Big hug to you all.  

Everyone gets it when you tell them. Dont let it get you down. As you start treatment and getting on with life it will go away.

Positive_Mental_Attitude said:

Shecka1121, it is very normal

Shecka1121, it is very normal to be scared.  But as others have said, you should have many reasons to be optimistic.  As you may infer from my screen name, a positive attitude is very important--that does not mean I did not have moments of fear and doubt with my initial diagnosis. Our situations are very similar.  I had to go to the emergency room for severe abdominal pain at the end of April 2014, and they found the tumor.  I was on vacation at the time.  When I returned home, the tumor was confirmed to be cancer, and my first urologist said that they would have to remove my entire right kidney.  I decided to get a second opinion, and I did from a wonderful doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and he was able to remove my tumor and preserve 95% of my right kidney!  My tumor was 2.9 cm.

I can't address the hysterectomy, but as an infant, I had two very involved surgeries on my intestines, and I had what the doctors called a "hostile abdomen."  That limited the doctors' choice, in that they would not do a laparascopic or robotic surgery.  They had to do an open surgery.  You will hear a lot of opinions here on whether a laparascopic or open surgery is "better", but "better" is in the eyes of the beholder, and depends on different situations.  I can tell you that I had an open surgery on Thursday morning, and I was realeased on Saturday morning.  I was walking 6 miles per day by the Monday after my surgery.  I was determined to get back to "normal", and the walking and excercise were a huge part of my physical and mental recovery.  I am guessing you are near San Francisco--and you have access to some of the best hospitals and doctors in the country.  In addition, you have beautiful scenery and fabulous weather, and walking is important for your recovery.  Positives all around for you.  You will be fine.

You have time to figure things out.  My surgery was not until 6-7 weeks after my initial diagnosis, and I was going to wait until the end of the summer, and the doctor was fine with that.

ITA with everyone that at a little over 1 cm they caught it early and your chances of the surgery being the end of it is excellent. As far as whether it will be a full or partial nephrectomy or open vs. lap/robotic, all depends on where the tumor is located.

Not everyone’s tumor is a candidate for robotic and/or lap surgery. Make sure your follow your surgeon/oncologist’s advice rather than insisting on a procedure that may not be optimum for you. My tumor was fairly small at 3.4 cm and my surgeon at Sloan Kettering recommended open and convinced me with his reasoning why. I could have opted for another surgeon there who specializes in lap but went with the open. My recovery was better than many people’s with lap surgery. Two days in the hospital and a 4 inch incision instead of 5 different incisions. More incisions, the more chances for infection. I was walking the night of the surgery. I don’t think my recovery was difficult and pain was very well controlled. So if it has to be open, don’t assume your recovery will automatically be difficult. I had the same surgeon as Positive_Mental above me, and we had very similar experiences as far as surgery and recovery is concerned.

Best of luck to you and yes, being scared is natural. I was terrified of the surgery and the pain/recovery and what I feared turned out to be a lot worse than the reality.

Shecka1121 said:

Better this morning

Thanks for the encouragement. mental, you are right, I live in San Francisco and do have access to the best care.  I am grateful for that.  I was so scared of open surgery but you all made it better. 

 

What is ITA?  Still learning all the language.

 

 

 

 

 

ITA = In total agreement.

As you have been told by several now that your tumor is small and will most likely have a good outcome, I will tell you also, LOL.  You have a very good chance of it being removed and no further problems as it is very small.  Just wishing you the best of luck, and I will be praying for you.

Shecka1121 said:

Thank you Jason adn Brea for

Thank you Jason adn Brea for the input.  I appreciate it.  I am glad I found this site.

you all are awesome.

 

It's normal to be scared.  "Cancer"  is one of the worst words to hear, as survivors, we've all passed that time. Yours is just 1 cm and hasn't spread which means stage 1. You've got more than 90% chance of the upcoming nephrectomy to cure  you andthe tumor will never come back. It's great, is't it? Nephrectomy is the only treatment you need, radical or partial depends on your own case but for 1.3 cm tumor I'm almost sure you'll have partial. It might be done open or laparoscopic by your urologist. And then you'll be followed at least  5 years.  the pathology report will turn on light about this tumor, the grade and type and finaly stage is most important information you can have from pathology report. You're very lucky, early stage and small tumor which was caught accidentally are all good signs.

But the size is small, so very good chance that once it is removed it will just be a horrible memory 8-)

I know the faces of people when you tell them is hard to take.  But, in their defience, they need to be allowed the shock and such.  They will get over it.  I know it hurts and you shouldn't have to deal with THEM having to deal with it.  But that first "face" is normal.

In the meantime, ask questions...lots of questions. Any fear, doubt, concern..ask.  Between the Dr.s and this board, I am sure you will find an answer that will help.

Hang in there.  We are all here for you from start to your 16th year NED scan.

Hugs,

Laurie

Shecka1121 said:

Laurie

Thank Laurie. I appreciate the response. It is encouraging.

 

I did recieve my call from the UCSF Urology Oncology department today and my first apt is Monday, the 4th.  I am anxous to get in as I have only spoken to my primary dr.  I thought it was a good sign when the scheduling nurse offered my appointments in June  I said, heck no, I am coming in ASAP.

I appreciate the support and as I read the stories of others they are inspiring!

 

Mary

I would be worried if you weren't scared. I'm in a similar boat to you. Young Mom {34 with a 3yr old and a 10mth old} diagnosed in September with Stage 1 Papillary Type 1 RCC. I just had a scare with my liver, but everything turned out to be ok. Find comfort that you in the best care possible, you have an amazing support system at home AND your tumor is teeny tiny!! Yes, still a tumor but small which is good. I am always here to talk/vent if you need. This group has been a blessing to me during my journey. We are all here for you every step of the way. You will be ok xoxo