not sure what to expect, also new member

Laurir · February 2016

I'm 51 years old and thought I was in a healthy state. I just had a colonoscopy in November, my yearly GYN in November and blood work for my primary care in December. All of these came back normal. I did have a polyp removed during the colonoscopy. I went to my doctor for psoriatic arthritis two weeks ago and got a good report. Had a mammogram in January with a suspicious "cyst" which turned out to be a biopsy of a lymph node. I was told on Feb. 16 that the biopsy report showed indicators for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. I'm still in shock by this. I have already had lab work done and go for a CT Scan on February 24th. I'm trying to stay calm, but it is hard when you get this info. Thanks for have a place like this to talk with others.

Positive_Mental_Attitude · February 2016

Stay calm. I am 49, and

Stay calm. I am 49, and almost 2 years ago I had the same thing happen. Healthy, exercise, ate moderately well, and boom, a tumor is discovered during an abdominal CT scan for another issue I was having. I was in shock and freefall for a couple of months. I am 1. 5 years post a partial open nephrectomy and feeling better than ever. I evaluated everything in my life, reduced my workload, stress level and changed my diet some more. I am glad I had an early diagnosis.

Hopefully, your CT scan will show nothing or a small tumor. Don't be scared by what you find with Google searches. Your best info is from your urologist, oncologist, here and smart patients. Lots of folks beat this with surgery alone.

APny · February 2016

Positive_Mental_Attitude said:
Stay calm. I am 49, and
Stay calm. I am 49, and almost 2 years ago I had the same thing happen. Healthy, exercise, ate moderately well, and boom, a tumor is discovered during an abdominal CT scan for another issue I was having. I was in shock and freefall for a couple of months. I am 1. 5 years post a partial open nephrectomy and feeling better than ever. I evaluated everything in my life, reduced my workload, stress level and changed my diet some more. I am glad I had an early diagnosis.

Hopefully, your CT scan will show nothing or a small tumor. Don't be scared by what you find with Google searches. Your best info is from your urologist, oncologist, here and smart patients. Lots of folks beat this with surgery alone.

I think every one of us went

I think every one of us went into shock hearing the word "cancer" or "carcinoma." It's not surprising that we feel that way. And the resulting anxiety is just terrible. Should the CT scan confirm RCC, make sure you have an experienced urologic oncologist who is knowledgeable about kidney cancer. Many urologists just handle the typical UTI and prostate issues with not that much experience with RCC. Try to stay calm; it's the waiting and the unknown that is the worst. Wishing you the best and you'll get a lot of support and good info here and on Smartpatients.

Laurir · February 2016

Positive_Mental_Attitude said:
Stay calm. I am 49, and
Stay calm. I am 49, and almost 2 years ago I had the same thing happen. Healthy, exercise, ate moderately well, and boom, a tumor is discovered during an abdominal CT scan for another issue I was having. I was in shock and freefall for a couple of months. I am 1. 5 years post a partial open nephrectomy and feeling better than ever. I evaluated everything in my life, reduced my workload, stress level and changed my diet some more. I am glad I had an early diagnosis.

Hopefully, your CT scan will show nothing or a small tumor. Don't be scared by what you find with Google searches. Your best info is from your urologist, oncologist, here and smart patients. Lots of folks beat this with surgery alone.

thank you

Thank you so much for your calming words. Sometimes I become overwhelmed and other times I think "just try to keep things as normal as possible."

icemantoo · February 2016

Laurir said:
thank you
Thank you so much for your calming words. Sometimes I become overwhelmed and other times I think "just try to keep things as normal as possible."

Hearing those words

Laurir,

It was almost 14 years ago that I first heard the words "you have Kidney Cancer". WTF Cancer was something older people got and whoever heard of Kidney Cancer.

I made it to 72 years young so far and my doctors say I will check out from something else one day. Sending good karma. May the force be with you.

Icemantoo

Jan4you · February 2016

icemantoo said:
Hearing those words
Laurir,

It was almost 14 years ago that I first heard the words "you have Kidney Cancer". WTF Cancer was something older people got and whoever heard of Kidney Cancer.

I made it to 72 years young so far and my doctors say I will check out from something else one day. Sending good karma. May the force be with you.

Icemantoo

Aww, Laurir, I want to send

Aww, Laurir, I want to send you a hug!

Yes, this is hard news to hear, but know that there is help and treatment.

I also recommend Smartpatients.com for even more folks to help you.

Has it been recommended that you get an oncologist?

Many folks here have had dire news only to find good treatments and are living on.

We'll walk this journey along side you hon. If you want us to.

Keep us informed, ask as many questions and remember we care!

Warmly, Jan

Laurir · February 2016

Jan4you said:
Aww, Laurir, I want to send
Aww, Laurir, I want to send you a hug!

Yes, this is hard news to hear, but know that there is help and treatment.

I also recommend Smartpatients.com for even more folks to help you.

Has it been recommended that you get an oncologist?

Many folks here have had dire news only to find good treatments and are living on.

We'll walk this journey along side you hon. If you want us to.

Keep us informed, ask as many questions and remember we care!

Warmly, Jan

doctor

My doctor is a medical oncologist. Who told me that we would take this one step at a time. She also said that she understands "repeat questions" and keep asking questions. So that gave me a good start with her.

Laurir · February 2016

Jan4you said:
Aww, Laurir, I want to send
Aww, Laurir, I want to send you a hug!

Yes, this is hard news to hear, but know that there is help and treatment.

I also recommend Smartpatients.com for even more folks to help you.

Has it been recommended that you get an oncologist?

Many folks here have had dire news only to find good treatments and are living on.

We'll walk this journey along side you hon. If you want us to.

Keep us informed, ask as many questions and remember we care!

Warmly, Jan

Yes, I will derfinitely want

Yes, I will derfinitely want everyone with me on this journey! So grateful to you from all of you.

Laurir · February 2016

Jan4you said:
Aww, Laurir, I want to send
Aww, Laurir, I want to send you a hug!

Yes, this is hard news to hear, but know that there is help and treatment.

I also recommend Smartpatients.com for even more folks to help you.

Has it been recommended that you get an oncologist?

Many folks here have had dire news only to find good treatments and are living on.

We'll walk this journey along side you hon. If you want us to.

Keep us informed, ask as many questions and remember we care!

Warmly, Jan

What I seem to be reading and

What I seem to be reading and please be patient with me because I am so...new to this - is getting the kidney out is key. Then treatment plans, meds, etc. will all fall into place. This waiting is probably worse because I don't know what I'm actually dealing with. Just thinking about the staging scares me, but some of you are so awesome in sharing that even later stages can be liveable and doable. I am so thankful for this place to share and receive info.

Footstomper · February 2016

Laurir said:
What I seem to be reading and
What I seem to be reading and please be patient with me because I am so...new to this - is getting the kidney out is key. Then treatment plans, meds, etc. will all fall into place. This waiting is probably worse because I don't know what I'm actually dealing with. Just thinking about the staging scares me, but some of you are so awesome in sharing that even later stages can be liveable and doable. I am so thankful for this place to share and receive info.

Fear

Is ubiquitous, we all have it. Dont let it take over your life. Recognize it as part of the landscape and I suspect youve stumbled onto the cure for fear. Ask questions about everything. No one will mind. We on this board have experienced it and the medical profession will do every thing they an to help you.

Be careful what you read about cancer on the internet. This board and Smart Patients are the only places I go. Much of what you'll find elsewhere is hoplessly out of day. The development of new drugs and treatment are rapidly turning a terminal disease into a treatable chronic illess.

So... Chin up. Make a nice cup of Rosie; youll be fine

Laurir · February 2016

Footstomper said:
Fear
Is ubiquitous, we all have it. Dont let it take over your life. Recognize it as part of the landscape and I suspect youve stumbled onto the cure for fear. Ask questions about everything. No one will mind. We on this board have experienced it and the medical profession will do every thing they an to help you.

Be careful what you read about cancer on the internet. This board and Smart Patients are the only places I go. Much of what you'll find elsewhere is hoplessly out of day. The development of new drugs and treatment are rapidly turning a terminal disease into a treatable chronic illess.

So... Chin up. Make a nice cup of Rosie; youll be fine

Thank you all for the

Thank you all for the positive comments!

not sure what to expect, also new member

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