I won the Lottery!!

RadioRon
RadioRon Member Posts: 2
edited April 2017 in Kidney Cancer #1

2017-04-17

My wife keeps hoping that one day we will win the lottery (money). However, my wife and I both feel we won the lottery with the early and unexpected detection of the renal mass. While fighting with a nasty case pneumonia in March a chest scan revealed a mass about 6 cm in size. 

However, my wife and I both feel we won the lottery with the early and unexpected detection of the renal mass. While fighting with a nasty case pneumonia in March a chest scan revealed a mass about 6 cm in size. 

A week later I was under the knife with open partial nephrectomy. The mass was fully encapsulated and removed. 

The tumor was malignant. 

Surgery was difficult and unbelievably painful as there had been a rib removal too to access the kidney. 

Dodged a "big bullet" and grateful in SE WI!

 I won the lottery!!!

 

Radio Ron

 

Comments

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #2
    Yes, it's hard at first to

    Yes, it's hard at first to conceive of having found cancer as being "lucky" but it's true when it's found early and contained to the kidney. I was also lucky in that even though it was only a bit larger than 3 cm, it caused bleeding, which lead to the CT scan. Usually it's much larger before it causes you to pee blood so yes, I too was lucky it was found so early. Since it was a grade 3, it probably would have spread pretty quickly once a little larger. All the best to you! Keep up the great attitude.

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    edited April 2017 #3
    What a admirable, positive

    What a admirable, positive attitude, Radio Ron. And I take it you had a lung xray and all is good there now?

    Sending you healing hugs, from another in SE WI

    Jan

  • pamstayner
    pamstayner Member Posts: 111 Member
    #4
    Yep, I agree

    Early detection, when this cancer wasn't even looked for, has to be equal to winning the lottery.  A win of something for sure.  With so much research, and new methods, in the last five years Kidney Cancer has to be equal to the lottery winnings being paid out over time.  Yep, as good as winning the big money, and it comes in installment payments.. and so we get to collect the full amount over a very long life. Life will be good.

    Pam

     

     

     

     

  • ambava33
    ambava33 Member Posts: 74 Member
    edited April 2017 #5
    Radio Ron

    I agree! I feel the same about my situation. I went in for a gallbladder ultrasound a week later got a call that I had a mass in my right kidney, then found out it was cancer, had a partial nephrectomy and pathology report showed I had an extremely rare form of kidney cancer and if I had not found it when I did my prognosis would not of been good at all. I am extremely grateful and love how you compare it to winning the lottery! So happy for you! Congrats! Live and love life a litte more!

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,045 Member
    #6
    Way to GO!!!

    Those "freak illnesses and/or injuries" that we seem to go to a Dr. for are a blessing in disguise.  You were truly lucky on this one.

    I was having secondary symptoms for the mets that had gone to the left lobe of my liver and just happened to mention it to my new PC.  I thought maybe I had gall stone(s).  Oh was I wrong.

    They didn't remove a rib, but cut the intercostal area apart and use a spreader.  Then put things back together with a mending plate and screws. I'ts a bit rough and lumpy along the front edge of those ribs, and I have occasional back spasms along the spine.  But that is so much better than my first prognosis; which was "you may be able to live another 5-7 months unless something can be done."  And that was over 10 1/2 years ago.

    Good luck on your recovery and keep that great attitude.

    donna_lee

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    edited April 2017 #7
    Great finding

    just one problem. If tumor was malignant, then it could not be fully encapsulated. Or if fully encapsulated, then it is not malignant. As a neoplasm, it is always potentially malignant. The question is "What is your tumor staging?"

    You still won the lottery.

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