Thank you all but need your help

My husband just diagnosed 2 weeks ago at the ER, also has almost nonstop pain. He also has a 1.5 cm kidney stone in same kidney as 7 cm x 3 cm mass.  Dr isn't certain what is causing the pain but he said it could be from mass pressing against other organs/nerves or the kidney stone. He finally got some pain meds (percocet) to help deal with the pain. The Dr. didn't seem overly concerned about the pain.  He is scheduled for robotic total nephrectomy on Sept 6. He hasn't been working the past 2 weeks, since the pain goes from a 2 to 10 without any rhyme or reason and employer does not want to chance anything happening at work. If pain is bothersome push for something to help you cope.  Best of luck to you!

Lung nodules are incredibly common and most are benign. Try not to worry about every ache and pain, though I know that's easier said than done. As for the liver ultrasound, I wouldn't say that is classified as fast growth. Average growth for a renal cell carcinoma is .5-1cm per year. Even if only a half centimeter per year that means it was very small then. On a dedicated liver ultrasound we would do limited views of the kidney so I wouldn't let that worry you that it's aggressive. Please don't hesitate to ask questions, that's what we are here for!

Although I did not have pain perse, I did have what I describe as discomfort.  I would feel this sensation of rolling onto a tennis ball whenever I rolled to my left side during sleep & it would wake me.  The first doctor I saw poo-poo'd it.  I got a second opinion and that doctor told it's not unusual to have pain, etc but that is typically felt during the "growth phase".  Most people blow it off and do nothing and from what he said, the growth phase is usually approximately 2 months long and then the sensation dissipates.  He said it was a good thing that I was so attuned to my body.  (I went for exam at about the 6 week mark because it was so annoying)  Palpitations on the other hand, I frequently have those but not related to the kidney cancer, so I have nothing to offer you on that topic.  I've had a cardiac work-up and was told mine are estrogen related.  It's unnerving regardless.  As far as the dizziness and weakness, could it be due to anxiety?  I suffer from anxiety attacks occasionally and commonly have all of those symptoms in the midst of that torture.  Xanax is my wonder drug, but I only take it as needed cause I'm scared to death of dependance.   Regarding the lung nodule, I would refer you back to our resident radiology expert (Kat).  But having work in the medical field for many, many years myself, I know they aren't all that unusual and not necessarily anything to be concerned about.

Wishing you the best and I'll be praying for you,

Donna~

P.S.  What part of Ireland?  My husband and I visited your lovely country about 11 years ago.  Flew to Shannon, rented a car and drove up the western coast up to the Giant's Causeway, the Carrickarade Rope Bridge (scariest thing I've EVER done in my life) and down the eastern coast to Dublin and flew back home.  Some of the most beautiful things I've ever laid eyes on.

Have they checked your iron levels when they did the blood tests? I also had periodic rapid heart beat and dizziness and it turned out to be iron deficiency. As for the kidney tumor, it's small and most likely surgery will be the end of it. Mine was about the same size. I did not have pain but it's possible that yours is pressing on a nerve. All the best to you!

Sorry for all you are going through. To me, it proves how POWERFUL the mind is and how the body reacts! With that said, I remember having a pain that the Urologist/Surgeon said was not related to my tumor. Another specialist said it wasn't related to condition she ws treating me for and blamed it on the Kidney tumor. What? My primary said, "Let's wait and see if you have it after surgery." 

Well it left AFTER surgery. 

Know that INFLAMMATION is painful. Perhaps your body is reacting to this foreign tumor and builds up this inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medication, like Ibruprofin, Motrin type helpeful. Relaxing area with stretching (even if it hurts) and ICE! ICE is the natural pain reliever. Remember to use ice packs after surgery and you'll need less opiates for pain relief.

We're here for you. Again, only YOU are in control of how and what you think. If you think it, obsess over it, your body reacts as in "fight or flight" and goes into emergency mode causing symptoms, like heart distress, when there is nothing wrong with your heart.

I too have hiatal hernia. I dont get pain from it, but from acid reflux as a result of it. Get that treated if your Gastro doc thinks it will help. AND I use PROBIOTICS whih for the most part keep the acid reflux at bay.

Sending you healing hugs and these words: (God) Grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change, the COURAGE to change the things I can, and the WISDOM to know the difference.

Sending you healing, calming vibes. Learn some meditation and watch your body relax and recovery for you. Work WITH your body, not against it.

You'll get through this as WE'll be here for you all the way!

Hugs, Jan

The "wounds" are little, tiny (about an inch at the most, and about 3.5 or 4inches if kidney is removed). They are glued, then a little surgical tape over them. I put the dry ice packs (no mess) over my underwear and whalla...reduced the swelling and soreness right away. The lumbar wrap has been a life saver. I had 2 laproscopic/robatic surgeries, one huge incision for my C section and one smaller one for tubal ligation. 

I wore the wrap on last two lap surgeries, even to bed, and it made a huge difference in my ability to get uP. LOL  I had to beg for ice in the hospital, but it took the PT therapist to just go and get it for me. She used a latex glove and filled it with ice! LOL

You'll get through this and start to feel much better soon than you know!

Sending you calm and serenity~

Jan

Wehavenotimeatall said:

Hmmm

dry ice... I am in England... do you mean like those freezer packs you put in your picnics

 

an lumbar wrap... on order 

Just a bit from the tray in your freezer, in a zip lock bag, wrapped in a tea towel. Or you could use a hot water bottle for the ice, except you'll have to rename it a FROZEN water bottle. 

Definitely NOT what we in the US call "dry ice" (That stuff burns, but is Handy for making fog or getting ice cream home from the store when it's 40°C or 105°F). But maybe the wee blue ice things from lunch packets. You probably won't want the weight of a large picnic blue ice container resting on you post-surgery. 

I didn't use ice (part of it was probably the extra walk to the kitchen when I just didn't really feel like it, meh). I was able to sleep on my side the first night home, and having my little dog snuggle, stretched out against my lower back was wonderful. A hot water bottle would've done the trick, as well. If that's the case, I hope you've got two.