what to expect now

70DixieLane
70DixieLane Member Posts: 4
in Kidney Cancer #1

My surgery was 6 weeks ago, complete nephrectomy, right kidney, RCC.  The tumor was 7cm located in the middle of the kidney just clear of the main artery.  Stage 1, slow growing, contained within the kidney, good pathology, did not seem to have spread.  I read where someone ran a low temp for awhile.  I'm doing the same, and feel really lousy with it, but my doctors aren't concerned about that.  I've been really weak but getting better. I returned to work after 5 weeks.  Going forward, I'll stay with my urologist for awhile, which is a comfort.  I will have blood work and chest exrays every three months for two years, every six months for three years, and annually after that.  I trust my doctor, and he assures me he doesn't expect anything to show up,  but I wonder why, with stage one, am I on such a close watch when I read from others with a much looser frequency of check-ups.  I don't want to worry, but yall know a bit about that, I'm sure, and this seems to stay and the back of the mind.

Comments

  • 70DixieLane
    70DixieLane Member Posts: 4
    #2
    more info

    From other comments I see you prefer more information.  I'm 58, never been really sick, and no family history!  This came as a really big shock to me.

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #3
    Sounds like you're on the road to recovery

    I like your plan for the future, just dont overdo it. If youre worried about the frequency of your check ups, just ask your doc, he'll be glad to explain. All anyone could do here is to speculate which might not be a great idea, unless there is someone here with exact same symptoms and the exact same treatment.

    Good luck

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    edited May 2016 #4
    70DixieLane said:

    more info

    From other comments I see you prefer more information.  I'm 58, never been really sick, and no family history!  This came as a really big shock to me.

    Shock

    oh youbetcha! I will never forget waking up in the middle of the night. I peed blood (my only symptom) and I remember thinking," This is soooooo wrong" I was diagnosed the next day Stage 4, Grade 4. Nothing hasbeen as bad as my imagination made it

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    edited May 2016 #5
    Follow up

    Dixie,

    At 7 cm (a medium size tumor) you are going to need a more agressive follow up than those of us with smaller tumors. The purpose of the follow up is to nip anything new that shows up in the bud. Hopefully a full recovery from he surgery alone, but 7cm must be watched for many years. Mine was almost 14 years ago.

     

    Icemantoo

  • 70DixieLane
    70DixieLane Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2016 #6
    icemantoo said:

    Follow up

    Dixie,

    At 7 cm (a medium size tumor) you are going to need a more agressive follow up than those of us with smaller tumors. The purpose of the follow up is to nip anything new that shows up in the bud. Hopefully a full recovery from he surgery alone, but 7cm must be watched for many years. Mine was almost 14 years ago.

     

    Icemantoo

    follow up

    Thanks for the comments.  It really helps hearing from those who know and have been there.

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #7
    I agree with Iceman. It's

    I agree with Iceman. It's most likely due to the size but absolutely check with your doctor. Stage 1 can be classified as "a" or "b", with b being a tumor over 4 inches. So perhaps the protocol is a bit more stringent with a stage1b. I don't think 3 months is a bad thing. As the cliche says, better safe than sorry. I was supposed to go to yearly checkups but because of a subcentimeter growth on my other kidney that they're watching they're being conservative and want me every six months. Fine with me.

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #8
    Further thoughts

    Dixie,

     

    I reread your post and there is nothing about follow up CT's or other scans as part of your follow ups.

    Check with your doctor on that.

     

    Icemantoo

  • hardo718
    hardo718 Member Posts: 853 Member
    edited May 2016 #9
    Welcome Dixie

    I was going to suggest the same as Iceman just stated.  Most of us (I think) have CT's as part of our follow-up, with & without contrast.  Might want to ask your doc about that.

    Regarding the low grade fever, make sure you are drinking enough water.  Keep in mind, your body has been through a major upheaval and it takes quite a while to completely heal......approximately a year.  Of course the external healing process is typically pretty quick in comparison, the internal process is a much different animal.  Make sure you get enough rest as well.

    Donna~

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #10
    I can't imagine there not

    I can't imagine there not being any kidney imaging follow up. I'm sure Dixie just forgot to mention it. But if there aren't any scheduled then yes, definitely bring that up with your doctor.

  • daisybud
    daisybud Member Posts: 541 Member
    #11
    Fever

    Donna told me to drink lots of water when I had a fever  for a while after my surgery. Did the trick!!  Drink more!

    Kim

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