Need Help Again Sorry

Wehavenotimeatall
Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member

Da Vinci planned for 21St for 4cm(approx). Mass

Beyound scared that this will be the death knell for me. And I apologise to all those brave people who have it much worse than me and don't make half as much fuss

 

Mass is sitting at top of right kidney.  Doctor says in good position and there is no other sign of any spread

However I keep getting sharp pains in both breasts And under right armpit(god I hate that word) not all the time but I can feel it and I can also feel mass under my rib cage which is just horrible

Do you think that this is a sign that things have spread to lymph nodes

there is no lumps 

Willl they look at the lymph nodes whilst doing a partial 

 

Many Thanks and sorry again

Annie

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Comments

  • kw80843130
    kw80843130 Member Posts: 1
    So Common

    It is so common to have every little pain cause fear that your cancer has spread.  I have diagnosed myself with so many types of cancer (none of which were accurate) after my kidney cancer diagnosis that I have lost count! Most of the time before they even allow you to schedule the DaVinci surgery they already know that it has not spread.  However, call your doctor to talk to them.  They understand.  I found that I had severe anxiety after my diagnosis, and I finally asked for help.  I am currently taking medication for my anxiety.  I am almost 18 months post-op and still cancer free!  I, too, had the DaVinci surgery, and the recovery is so much easier!  Just remember walk, walk, walk as it will help your recovery.  Drink plenty of fluids.  Don't push yourself - FOLLOW THE LIFTING RESTRICTIONS.  I had a 1.7cm tumor that was removed with clear margains from this surgery.  Sending you thoughts and prayers!!! 

  • Angie1496
    Angie1496 Member Posts: 154
    HI!  I had Davinci last week

    HI!  I had Davinci last week for partial nephrectomy.  My mass was also on the top of my right kidney and is 4.5cm.  I had no symptoms of this before.  THe mass was found on a CT looking for kidney stones on the other kidney.  It had clear margins and no sign of spreading.  After the diagnosis I would have random pains on that side near my heart or breast.  I think it was purely anxiety!  other than the expected pain from the incisions my recovery has not been horrible.  

  • Wehavenotimeatall
    Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member
    edited September 2017 #4
    Thank you

    You are both very kind... 

     

    thank you for your time and advice I will try to stay strong...

     My doctor must be fed up with me ringing him. I am fretting over everything 

     

    Annie

     

  • Angie1496
    Angie1496 Member Posts: 154
    edited September 2017 #5
    If talking to your doctors

    If talking to your doctors give you peace of mind by all means call!   I had 3 specialists and was calling all of them over the course of a month before I chose which one I wanted to do my procedure.  try not to stress too much about everything. I know it's hard to do. I was and am in those shoes. 

  • medic1971
    medic1971 Member Posts: 225 Member
    Hyper vigilant

    Annie,

    You are in a state of mind know as hyper vigilance.  Anytime you find something wrong, or out of the normal, with your body you will automatically assume the worst.  It took me about a year to get past this in my head.

     

    Here is something you DO NOT want to happen and that is letting this turn into PTSD.  You will survive this and it would really suck to spend the rest of your life worrying about it returning or coming back.  There is a mental battle you will fight with cancer and that is a battle you may need help with try and find a good therapist and psychiatrist.  That's what I did and it helped so much.

     

    I've worked in healthcare for over 20 years, mainly emergency medicine, as an EMT and now as an RN so you can always inbox me if you have any questions.

     

    To answer your questions:

     

    Do you think that this is a sign that things have spread to lymph nodes: No

     

    Will they look at the lymph nodes whilst doing a partial:  Unless they saw swollen nodes on the CT Scan I suspect they will not remove any.       

     

    Hang in there!

    Jason

  • Wehavenotimeatall
    Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member
    edited September 2017 #7

    So Common

    It is so common to have every little pain cause fear that your cancer has spread.  I have diagnosed myself with so many types of cancer (none of which were accurate) after my kidney cancer diagnosis that I have lost count! Most of the time before they even allow you to schedule the DaVinci surgery they already know that it has not spread.  However, call your doctor to talk to them.  They understand.  I found that I had severe anxiety after my diagnosis, and I finally asked for help.  I am currently taking medication for my anxiety.  I am almost 18 months post-op and still cancer free!  I, too, had the DaVinci surgery, and the recovery is so much easier!  Just remember walk, walk, walk as it will help your recovery.  Drink plenty of fluids.  Don't push yourself - FOLLOW THE LIFTING RESTRICTIONS.  I had a 1.7cm tumor that was removed with clear margains from this surgery.  Sending you thoughts and prayers!!! 

    Thank you

    you had a great outcome   So happy that you are  doing well

     

    its the waiting and the fear which is had to conquer 

  • marosa
    marosa Member Posts: 334 Member
    Hi! I too had the tumor

    sitting at top of the right side kidney (6cm) but had a partial and kept 70% of that kidney and no lymph nodes were removed.  It will be 3 years the 30th of September.  Hang on, its a difficult time but you will go thru and have your life back.  I did not believe this at the time but it is true!  And your fears you will learn to tame them.  We loose so much energy worrying!  I know its easy for me to say that now but please trust us.  Hang in there, you will be fine.  Put trust in your caregivers and in yourself.  

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    WHew.. I can understand why

    WHew.. I can understand why you feel the way you do. You are listening to your body. And yes, we do become hypervigilent..for good reason!

    Before my surgery, I had pain in an area that the Urolgoist/surgeon said was not related to the tumor. My other doctor said it was not related to what she was treating me for. My primary said we'll we see. If its gone after surgery, then you know. Well it finally left after surgery. It was NOt in a typical place. But you can have REERRED pain.

    Now you seem to feel it could be in the lymph system. Again, let the surgeon note that as they DO check for possible spreading lymph node around the tumor. AGain ask your surgeon how they check lymph nodes as you are having something noticable under your arm/breasts. 

    Let us know how you are doing. And we'll be here for you all the way ok?

    Sending you calm, serenity and HOPE for a better future!

    Hugs, Jan

  • larry54
    larry54 Member Posts: 14
    As a guy, I can't comment

    As a guy, I can't comment about those particular pains.  However, as someone else pointed out, once you are diagnosed with cancer, every new pain that comes up makes you think it has spread somewhere else.  This has happened to me many times only to find in my next scan that I am just fine.   I do understand the fear.  I live it every day. Be happy that you caught this early.  That is a wonderful thing. 

     

  • Angie1496
    Angie1496 Member Posts: 154
    marosa said:

    Hi! I too had the tumor

    sitting at top of the right side kidney (6cm) but had a partial and kept 70% of that kidney and no lymph nodes were removed.  It will be 3 years the 30th of September.  Hang on, its a difficult time but you will go thru and have your life back.  I did not believe this at the time but it is true!  And your fears you will learn to tame them.  We loose so much energy worrying!  I know its easy for me to say that now but please trust us.  Hang in there, you will be fine.  Put trust in your caregivers and in yourself.  

    Marosa,

    Marosa,

    your comments helped ease my worries some... I mine was also at the top right kidney.  4.5CM.  I kept 90% of my kidney. Had a partial 2 weeks ago tomorrow.  No lymph nodes taken.   I see my Doc tomorrow for follow up.  But your wors really helped my worries of "what if"

  • Wehavenotimeatall
    Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member
    edited September 2017 #12
    marosa said:

    Hi! I too had the tumor

    sitting at top of the right side kidney (6cm) but had a partial and kept 70% of that kidney and no lymph nodes were removed.  It will be 3 years the 30th of September.  Hang on, its a difficult time but you will go thru and have your life back.  I did not believe this at the time but it is true!  And your fears you will learn to tame them.  We loose so much energy worrying!  I know its easy for me to say that now but please trust us.  Hang in there, you will be fine.  Put trust in your caregivers and in yourself.  

    Hey Sexy Girl

    Thank you

    Great to hear your experience and thank you for holding my hand

    I am trying.... 

    Annie

  • Rockspin
    Rockspin Member Posts: 77
    Angie1496 said:

    HI!  I had Davinci last week

    HI!  I had Davinci last week for partial nephrectomy.  My mass was also on the top of my right kidney and is 4.5cm.  I had no symptoms of this before.  THe mass was found on a CT looking for kidney stones on the other kidney.  It had clear margins and no sign of spreading.  After the diagnosis I would have random pains on that side near my heart or breast.  I think it was purely anxiety!  other than the expected pain from the incisions my recovery has not been horrible.  

    I also had random pains on

    I also had random pains on the opposite side but since my surgery I haven't felt them.

  • Angie1496
    Angie1496 Member Posts: 154
    Annie...

    Annie...

     

    Didn't you have surgery yesterday?   How are you doing? 

  • Wehavenotimeatall
    Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member
    Hi Angie yes

    surgery on thurs 21st

    thank you for remembering me and also to those other special people who emailed    Your kindness  have truly helped me over the  past month  and I will always be grateful  You know who you are

    Da Vinci partial on a 4.2 mass

    surgery went very well but I have had a few very very tough days  I am sitting in hospital at the end of day four and all I can say is that iceman was right  It's hard   I would love to meet these lucky souls who go home within 48 hours

    Surgeon seemed happy   He is a perfectionist so he is not been too cork popping until he sees the Pathology but he said that there were no surprises   reckoned size  was 4cm

    said it was definitely cancerous from what he could see

    said there was a layer of fat round it   In my drug induced state   I keep thinking that that is bad news but I will see him before I leave so will ask.

    I am left with approx 80% of kidney  and I know that if he had any doubt he would have taken the lot

     I will write further when I am stronger and have the results

    I feel a lot calmer but know you never stop looking

     

    At the minute I don't know what I am

    Cured

    Living with cancer 

    might be cured but just in case  we are wrong you have cancer

    Some of my symptoms have gone   Others haven't           

    Sometimes Good does happen 

    Annie

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Angie1496
    Angie1496 Member Posts: 154
    I'm sorry you are having a

    I'm sorry you are having a rough recovery!  My tumor was also under fat. It's part of the kidney make up from what I was told. Its hard to say cured. Cancer free is what I've said. In 6 months I hope to say my scans show I'm still cancer free. Everyday you will get a little better. Don't rush it. I'm 2.5 weeks post op. Going back to work onsite tomorrow for at least half a day.  Everything tires me. Not used to not being able to do things I did  up till surgery.  Try to remember we have had a major surgery and our bodies will take time and energy to heal. Good thoughts and prayers for your continued healing and that your pain lessens. 

     

    Angie

  • Wehavenotimeatall
    Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member
    edited September 2017 #17
    Hold on

    you are going back to work

    Well that won't be me

    but that will be a big step for you so good luck

    pain is improving   

    whilst I am happy to be here  at the  minute it will be great when I get home

    Annie

     

     

  • Mary H.
    Mary H. Member Posts: 17
    Several years post-op

    Just wanted to weigh in on this.  I had a partial open nephrectomy in February, 2011. Have regular scans since then that show the surgeon got it all and there is nothing growing anywhere around the area. For some reason, just before I go in for scans, I start getting weird pains in my back, in the area of my kidneys.  I always think that it has returned. It hasn't, it's just my mind playing tricks on me, I guess.

    Sending  you prayers and positive energy that your results are the same as mine.

  • Wehavenotimeatall
    Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member
    Hi Mary

    Oh thank you

     

    what size was your tumour?

     

    Annie

  • lobbyist0724
    lobbyist0724 Member Posts: 515 Member
    Mary H. said:

    Several years post-op

    Just wanted to weigh in on this.  I had a partial open nephrectomy in February, 2011. Have regular scans since then that show the surgeon got it all and there is nothing growing anywhere around the area. For some reason, just before I go in for scans, I start getting weird pains in my back, in the area of my kidneys.  I always think that it has returned. It hasn't, it's just my mind playing tricks on me, I guess.

    Sending  you prayers and positive energy that your results are the same as mine.

    This happens to me too and I

    This happens to me too and I realized from others it is related to anxiety, in our case "Scanxiety". When I was diagonoised last year, I thought I was told that it's my right kidney has the tumor and got flank pain on the right side for days until I saw my speciliast who told me it is on the left side... I still have pain everytime days before my scan....

  • medic1971
    medic1971 Member Posts: 225 Member
    Annie

    Sorry you are having a such a hard time.  I hope you are feeling better by the time you are reading this.