Joining the club

foroughsh said:

I'm happy that you feel good

I'm happy that you feel good with this decision,my tumor was large so the only option was radical but I'm sure I would think like you if it was small. It might not be scientific but feelings are important,aren't they It depends on so many factors, how is  your other kidney working? If not very well, then you should meet a nephrologist, otherwise your surgeon or your oncologist can check you remained kidney's function by blood work. You should also meet nutritionist to ask about necessary changes to your life style. I omitted salt and reduced eating red meat to twice a month. And drink loads of water to help my loyal beautiful left kidney. Kidneys have the ability to grow larger and do the whole job on their own when they loose their partner.  So within months your kidney's function will be better. And if your kidney isn't working well it's best to also meet a cardiologist to check the affect on your heart. But don't worry if the remain kidney is working fine you can live like hundred years with it.Forough

 

Yes, the panic/anxiety is the worst part but know you are one of the lucky ones with such a small mass. My doctor told me yesterday after a clean X-ray "I told you it wouldn't come back" that makes me happy but doesn't stop the fear. You are going to be fine and living with one kidney is no different if you already live a healthy lifestyle except we can't take NSAIDS. I ask my surgeon every time I see him if there are things I should/should not be doing and he laughs and says "still no" prayers your way for an easy surgery and a fast recovery.

Melanie

Freenc said:

Furough

My other kidney looks and is acting "factory fresh" according the doc so that is good news. I just want this nightmare behind me and want to go back mentally to where I was the other day. It is crazy how much this has consumed my every thought.

Melanie, I am so happy to hear that you had a clear xray.

 

Tom 

I had my radical neph done almost 5 years ago. My creatinine is always under 1. GFR is alwys over 60. And so am I. Those numbers are as good a s a twenty year old with 2 good kidneys. So, forgetaboutit. You'll be fine.

Freenc said:

Question

When does the anxiety go away. I keep thinking that this is a bad dream that I will wake up from at any moment. When are you able to just start enjoying life again and forget about this. I am a worrier by nature and right now it feels like I will never be the same again. Ugh, I feel like a big emotional baby. 

I know that I am lucky what I have read , small mass caught early and the doc saying that after surgery I will be cured....but my mind just keeps keeps going to dark places. This just sucks and I feel for every one on this board. 

 

My surgery is scheduled for November 12th...it cannot come fast enough.

 

I will quit rambling now but God Bless everyone here for helping me so much.

 

Tom

 

Will reduce as you get into the process of treatment and management. As always it is good to be doing something rather than just waiting and worrying. Will the anxiety go away? I honestly doubt it but it will diminish as the days go by. You will be able to cope. If you are stage 1or 2 then probably you will not think about it for weeks or months on end. You will be able to cope. I promise.

tkmj914 said:

Thanks Tom, my nephrectomy

Thanks Tom, my nephrectomy was July 6th, I was a nut case every minute of every day before the surgery. I had to take xanax. I already was diagnosed with " situation anxiety" at 29, 49 now. Anyway, if you are freaking out as I was it was torture, maybe ask your dr for something to get you through this time. I can tell you that the anxiety started going away as soon as surgery was done. It has progressively gotten better every day. The week before my X-ray I was calm, didn't think about anything but that it would all be ok And it was. I wish I could take away your fear because I know how bad it is, just know that what you are feeling now is a very temperary thing. You're gonna be fine. Vent your tail off on here, these people gave me so much positive feedback and made a very scary time a lot easier Best wishes. oh yeah, reading posts by Footstomper will make you laugh a bunch too! brilliant!

Melanie

Tom,

You and I have the same prognosis where the doctors said I was going to be fine as well but I was overcome by so much anxiety.  I am five months out and I am here to tell you that it gets better with time.  I still have moments but I am doing much much better.  

You have to trust your doctor and they see several cases of RCC Stage 1. I also have done tons of research and all articles, studies, etc say the same.

Also, I JUST learned that my great aunt had her kidney removed when she was 18 due to an accident.  She lived a healthy long life.  She passed away at 94 years young.  No meds her entire life. I was so glad to hear this story.  I had a partial but for all those of you with a solo kidney, she had no problems at all.  She was a relatively big lady too.

All the best and all is going to be ok. 

Freenc said:

Question

When does the anxiety go away. I keep thinking that this is a bad dream that I will wake up from at any moment. When are you able to just start enjoying life again and forget about this. I am a worrier by nature and right now it feels like I will never be the same again. Ugh, I feel like a big emotional baby. 

I know that I am lucky what I have read , small mass caught early and the doc saying that after surgery I will be cured....but my mind just keeps keeps going to dark places. This just sucks and I feel for every one on this board. 

 

My surgery is scheduled for November 12th...it cannot come fast enough.

 

I will quit rambling now but God Bless everyone here for helping me so much.

 

Tom

 

The beauty of this little club is that we UNDERSTAND!  I find that I spend so much of my day thinking about "having cancer". (I am new to this too). My peace of mind comes when I sit down at night and check up on my friends here on our site.  Even with all the pain and suffering that many are encountering on a daily basis, their compassion for others is incredible. Ramble all you care to, you will not chase us away.

As usual, I will be keeping you all in my prayers and thoughts. Thank you all!

Nancy

marosa said:

Oh do I know how you are feeling!

Oh I know how you are feeling, believe me.  Take it from one more who has been there and is also a hypocondriac! By diagnosis came out of nowhere even thou I realize now I hadn't been feeling so well ( bit of back pain, bloated stomack, acid reflux).  Diagnosis was mid August last year and my partial was done on September 30.  Everyday waiting was terrible.  I walked around the city and looked at people going about their life and I felt like I was from another planet, removed, not here already...   When the day finally arrived I was feeling so relieved and ready, I even asked the doctors when they took me in the operating room if they had some jazz to hear while they were operating.  They saw my tan lines and figured I loved the beach and said:  Go to your favorite beach now...

I woke up with a smile some hours after!  Then came some difficult days but they were soon gone too and when I went back to the streets again for daily exercise, that feeling of not being in the world had gone!

You will get your life back I promise!  Trust your doctors, trust your body and yourself, read a book, try to meditate or go to a Yoga class if you can.  You will soon have your life back.  This is a scary chapter but you can do it!

Tom,

We all were scared and anxious at first. First the C word. That is what older people got. Than the diagnosis of Kidney Cancer. Whoever heard of Kidney Cancer before this. Wasn't that some rare diseae that other people got. Than to top it off they want to do major surgery and yank your kidney out. That is enough to make you and all the rest of us scared sh..less at first. Aren't these wonderful thought to share with others.

Concentrate on the fact that you are scheduled for a near 100% total cure. By Thanksgiving you should be ready for a big Turkey Dinner. And of course the football games and the Macy's parade featuring a bunch of famous characters as well as 5 high school bands including one where my grandson is one of the drummers.

Icemantoo

Freenc said:

MAROSA and ICEMANTOO

Thanks for the stories and encouragement. Icemantoo I want to be like you.....13 years nef and going strong.

This has been a wake-up call to clean up my diet and get my act together.

Keep the great stories coming.

Two weeks from today and counting!

When my partner was diagnosed, I was about 4 months pregnant. We came to the first urologist visit together. The doc saw hiw worried I was, and was a bit surprised that I worry SO much about Stage 1 kidney cancer :-) And he said "do not worry, with this diagnosis your kid will have a healthy dad for many-many years to come!"

So your kids will have you for many-many years too :-) you gonnabe alright after the surgery, recurrence chance is very low. It still exists, but bad outcomes exist with any disease. People still die from the flue and its complications sometimes. But that doesn't mean we should be scared every time we get a flue. Of cource, the word cancer is very scary. But cancers are different, not all are deadly When caught in time.

medic1971 said:

procedure type

What type of surgery are you going to have (open or robot assist)?

While not a surgeon, I believe the 2 procedure tyes are open and laproscopic. Either or both may be done with a robot assistant. Any surgeons out there can correct me if I am wrong.

Icemantoo