Finally, my story briefly

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Comments

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    edited October 2016 #22
    Footstomper said:

    Hi Kat

    I'm not sure whether it would be an advantage or not to be so knowledgeable of the process. Welcome

    You know I've asked myself

    You know I've asked myself the same question. It helps knowing what my reports mean, having doctors I can call with questions, and knowledge of the process. However, when you know so much, it's verh difficult to just sit back and put yourself in someone else's hands. I know the what if's. Luckily, my surgeon is wonderful and I trust him totally.

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    #23
    angie328 said:

    Hi....

    New here too and I'm also so glad you found this early...amazes me how fast it grew in 1 year...are getting scans once or twice a year going to be the norm? I guess better safe then sorry...just curious. 

    You will be in my prayers and I would like to thank you again for your input on my situation.  

    Love and Hugs,

    Angie

    You're welcome! It was

    You're welcome! It was definitely a shock when I saw it a year later!

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    #24
    Iggyrip said:

    Welcome Katt, this is a great

    Welcome Katt, this is a great site and great group of people. I am also new, and waiting for surgery. I have a 6cm mass on my upper right kidney. Found it by accident looking for something else.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery.

    Iggy

    Thank you! Have you had

    Thank you! Have you had surgery yet?

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    #25
    foxhd said:

    Good job Kat

    I have felt fortunate that my background as a physical therapist has helped me make far too many recoveries from injury, illness, and surgery. I have a masters in hospital management and and well versed in medical politics. I can usually get what I want although sometimes I get too absorbed in the role of being my own primary care advocate. My oncologist has told me that he enjoys my active participation and we can get down to the real business of addressing my health issues. I'm lucky. It works for me. How about you?

    Whenever I start with a new

    Whenever I start with a new physician for any reason I start by telling them my background. Then I tell them for that reason, the more info the better. I like them to know ahead of time that they won't overwhelm me, that I need to know everything to be comfortable. It has worked really well so far. My surgeon was able to speak frankly with me about recovery and follow-up scans and we discussed the protocol for after surgery. I think it's refreshing to physicians sometimes to just be able to put it all out there without softening or sugar coating. Just facts. 

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    #26
    Jan4you said:

    A warm, Welcome, Kat! Sorry

    A warm, Welcome, Kat! Sorry you had to even go through all this. Good you have availability to  catch this early.

    My hope is that this is now  going to be behind you, so you can finally relax and enjoy your life and your family!

    Hang in there!

    Hugs, Jan

    Thanks Jan, that's my hope

    Thanks Jan, that's my hope too!!

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    edited October 2016 #27
    JerzyGrrl said:

    Hi, Kat

    Welcome to the club none of us want to join. 

    I'm impressed that you didn't just lose it right then and there while demoing your US magic - either time. Still, it's tricky when the professional vs the patient vs the ordinary human have to switch places quickly. 

    May you have many visits from "Uncle Ned" --

    Jerzy

    I think it was one of those

    I think it was one of those cases where I knew with very little question what it was and I knew the steps and what was going to happen. So, I went into "take care of business" mode!

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    #28
    sblairc said:

    Welcome. What a story, you have to tell.

    My goodness!! That is quite a story of your cancer. I'm so glad you are doing well. Welcome!!

    Thank you! I was quite the

    Thank you! I was quite the talk in the OR. "Did you hear she found this herself?!" Telling the story so many times kept my mind off the surgery. 

  • Kat23502
    Kat23502 Member Posts: 179 Member
    #29
    Allochka said:

    Welcome! I've never heard of

    Welcome! I've never heard of anyone diagnosing herself that way, what an extraordinary story! 

    Your chances of leaving it behind forever are awesome!

    It has been quite a story,

    It has been quite a story, hopefully all done now! 

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    edited October 2016 #30
    What a story!

    And welcome!! Yours is quite the unique story of how you found out. Kudos to you for going into "taking care of business" mode. Aren't you glad you made this your career choice?

    I am sure it will be smooth sailing here on in!

    Hugs

    Jojo

  • Teashea
    Teashea Member Posts: 89 Member
    edited October 2016 #31
    Hi Kat

    My son was 7 years old when I was diagnosed. My cancer was found when I had a kidney stone. Very scary to think of being sick and not being able to give my son the kind of attention and life my 3 older kids had. As it has worked out I have been able to take my son on a few vacations. My son will be 18 soon and I am still here. Best wishes to you. One day at a time!

  • Iggyrip
    Iggyrip Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2016 #32
    Kat23502 said:

    Thank you! Have you had

    Thank you! Have you had surgery yet?

    Not yet. It's scheduled for

    Not yet. It's scheduled for 10/12/16. i just want to get it over with and see where I am at.

  • mrou50
    mrou50 Member Posts: 389 Member
    #33
    WOW

    That is quite a story to essentially diagnose yourself that is incredible.  I would have been terrified you are a very brave and strong person.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    edited October 2016 #34
    Kat,

    My interaction at Yale/Smilow with all the professional staff has been very rewarding. It confirmed my faith in all of us in health care. Yale is world famous and these doctors and students are unquestionably some of the most brilliant people in the world. I love it. The radiation I finished last week was exact to my description to the oncologist. Right down to a supraspinitis tear from growth from my coracoid. I like blowing their minds. It's been almost 6 years with my caregivers so we can have alot of fun despite the seriusness of our meetings.

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