Feel Like I am Going Crazy

Sandy,

Sorry you had to join our group. You describe a common feeling we all had in the begining. At 6 cm it is very possible that the surgery will be a total cure. The surgery is not fun,  but if I can do it anybody can. May your future be filed with a full recovery and long lives going forward. These feelings you are going thru take a little while to process.  All of us on this board have been thru what you are going thru.

Icemantoo

For most of us, I think it's safe to say we all went through the exact same emotions you and your husband are going through right now.  You're fortunate that you found this website while searching the internet for information.  I think the people here are amazing and do just as much as they can to help settle your mind down.  I was going to say put your mind at ease, but, truthfully, your mind won't be completely at ease until it's all done and the tumor is out.  But just to know that there are a lot of people out there that have gone through the same thing that you and your husband are going through, and are still posting their experiences is very comforting.  Be aware of one thing.  Treatment for kidney cancer has advanced immeasurably over the years.  Most times, it can be completely cured through surgery and, when it can't be, it can be managed by drugs and those drug treatments are improving seemingly every day.

I didn't find this site until after my surgery.  I had been going to another support site, not one associated with cancer, but with chronic diseases.  So, there weren't a lot of people there that shared my background.  What I have found is that everyone here shares at least a part of my background.  I was fortunate, if you can use such a word in relation to cancer.  My lesion was very, very small when it was dicovered accidentally in late 2013,  It was 1.5cm, barely visible on a CT scan.  My primary care doctor immediately referred me to a urologist and gave me my choice of one associated with a smaller, local hospital, or one associated with Stanford Hospital and Clinics.  I don't think the word Stanford even got out of his mouth before I said I preferred there.  The urologist I was assigned was amazing, and he took just as good care of me mentally as he did phsyically.  Because my lesion was so small, he recommended monitoring it to see if it grew.  Well, we monitored it for 2-1/2 years until an April, 2016 ultrasound showed it had grown to 1.8cm, still very, very small, but since it had grown, he recommended we get it taken out.  He referred me to an excellent surgeon and on June 22, 2016, I had a robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.  In my case, the operation started at 3PM and I was released from the hospital the next day at 1:30PM.  I just had my first post-op scan and meeting with the surgeon and he said there's absolutely no evidence of any spread or any recurrence.  We'll do the scan again in six months and if it's also clean, then we'll swtich to annual scans.

Way back when, when my dad was going to have an operation, his doctor told him, oh don't worry it's an easy operation.  My dad had an immortal retort to that.  The only simple operation is on someone else.  No operation is easy, but the fact that your husband will have a robotic assisted procedure should make it a little easier on him.

I know exactly what you are going through.  The description of your story brings those strong memories of when I was diagnosed.  After I met with the doctor I spent a lot of time searching the internet trying to get a clear understanding of what I was up against.  Problem was, the more I searched the more gloom and doom my outlook semmed.  But, I stumbled on this site and posted my story.  Several of our members jumped right in and provided some really good advice.  Number 1: STOP searching the internet.  The information is old and outdated.  Number 2: make sure you are in a hospital that have doctors experienced with RCC.  Number 3: They reminded me that my tumor (about the same as your husbands) has a good prognosis.  Number 4:  Your worst enemy right now is your imagination.

All of this helped--and I hope it helps you.  I do understand your fear and what you are going through.  All I can say is try to stay positive and try not to jump to conclusions.  Let the doctors do their work and visit here with your questions.  We'll try to help as much as we can.  You guys can do this!

Blessings, Stub

Hi Sandy,

My first ct scan was in mid October. I also have a mass on my right kidney. Mine is 4 to 5 cm and it is being removed on January 31st.  I won't know what it is until it has been removed but it is most likely cancer.

It is also most likely that it will be completely gone after my surgery and never return.

This is also the most likely outcome for your husband.

I don't like the waiting and wondering but it has had one positive effect.  It has given me time to calm down.  I am nervous about the surgery but not afraid for the future.

I thought I was calm when I first got the news but on one of my daily walks I stopped and realised I had been pacing up and down the side of the road for 5 or 10 minutes.

This forum has been very, very helpful for me.  I have no questions left for the doctors.

Steve.

I had a 10 cm tumor back in August 2014, almost two and a half years ago, so far si good. A 6 cm is usually stage 1 with great prognosis

You won't have to raise your children alone, stay positive and vigilant. A surgery is all he probably needs

Forough

sandy,

The cystoscopy is to rule out bladder cancer. None of us guys has fond memories of it. It is a routine test.

Icemantoo

Sandy,

Like Iceman said, many of us have been where your husband is now.  For me it was 3 1/2 years ago.  The tumor dimensions were similar to your husband's.  My surgery was with the DaVinci robot.  It went well.  Medicine has a history of success with this situation.  While there are no guarantees, the success rate is very good.  There is a chance that, after surgery, your husband will not have to do chemo or radiation therapy.  I didn't and am cancer free 3 years later.
Dealing with the emotional shock is difficult.  Be strong.  Focus on what is important in life.  The odds are with you.

Prayers,

Izzy

sandy23 said:

I have so many questions

I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you guys have said.  Just the fact that you took so much time to type your responses means the world.  Thank you.

Do any of you know about blood in the urine?  My husband has that and I read that means that it is already in the advanced stages and prognosis is not good.  I'm sorry to be so personal but did any of you have that?

Is how my tumor was found. Mine was almost 11cm in every direction, had my right kidney removed Dec. 3rd and I am doing well now. I was totally crazy when I came here, ask anyone, terrified of every little thing. Time will help. The surgery will be rough, get all the extra help you can to assist with his recovery and give yourself some alone time. I was able to make my hubby go golf a few times to give him a break. I think he needed that.