Stage 1 CCRCC Grade 2 recurrence or treatment questions

I can understand your fear. My tumor was 2.5 cm and I was told they got it all and it hadn't spread but I still insisted on a three month scan which I'm getting the end of this month. My surgeon did say some renal cell cancers spread within the first two years. 

there are variables.  But from where I sit, a very small contained tumor, partial neph. and a 6 mo. interval sounds about right.

You could ask for a 3 mo. follow up, but don't be surprised if your Dr. persuades you to wait.  I received the, "we think we got it all." comment, too.  (Stage IV with mets to several places).  It wasn't until the 9mo and 12 mo. tests that a single note was found to be enlarging and biopsied positive for RCC.

Click my user name for the full story.

And Best Whishes and Hugs.

donna_lee

Well I can appreciate how much you are anxious after your initial experience. I was told by my surgeon/urologist that he does a lab test that shows him a marker which would indicate if cancer cells are there. You can discuss this with him and see if he'll check you at 3 months. Or he may do the chest xray along with this test anyway. 

Remember, the one thing we CAN control is our outlook and attitude toward our recovery.

Our bodies respond to our thinking. Count your blessings and rejoice that the "c" went with the surgery! Then get on with your life and make wonderful memories!

Sending you, CALM, HOPE and SERENITY! Again, we'll be here for you all the way!

Hugs, Jan

Personally speaking, the thoughts circling in your head are completely normal at this point.  If you didn't have fears after that experience I'd say you were sticking your head in the sand.  It's a lot to digest, and it's a process.  I think it's much like experiencing a death of a loved one and the stages that we go thru with that before we reach the phase of acceptance and get on with living life again.  Sorry to be so morose, just my opinion maybe.  Be patient with yourself.  I read an article about 2 years after my surgery that gave me some comfort.  It said that it wasn't unusual for cancer survivors to have a heightened fear around the anniversary date of the finding.  So beware.  My comfort in reading that came from the fact that I now had confirmation that I wasn't alone in my thinking.  When all else fails, ask your doctor for more frequent testing if that's what you need and if there's disagreement then ask why and get a conversation started for better understanding.

You are not alone here.

Don't forget to keep in mind that we all need to celebrate life to the fullest and be thankful for every day we've been blessed with, this side of the dirt!  lol

Be well, I'll keep you in my prayers,

Donna~

Donna~

Knowing what I know now (after 4 and a half years living with cancer), I would go with the 6 month scan.  If that really scares you, try for the 3.  Try to focus on the fact that you have been blessed.  That's a funny thing to tell you at this point in time.  But, the fact is that your cancer was found early.  You are at stage 1.  If you're going to have kidney cancer, you're in the best possible place.  I think that you will learn to appreciate the early detection experience as time goes by.  If you have trust in your doctor, try to buy into his or her recommendations on matters such as scanning frequency.  I get scanned quarterly.  I would rather that my scans were less frequent, but there's not much I can do about that.  The risks of less frequent scans outweigh the problems created by going with quarterlies.  You can go for 3 months now, but try to spread them out more as you get more comfortable with your situation.  You should do well, although you have been changed by the cancer experience.  

Best wishes as to your success.

Dutch

Stage 1 grade 2 recurrence is very improbable. You could ask for 3 months scans of course, but is it worth it?

you've mentioned that you've always had anxiety problem. No wonder it has intensified after cancer diagnosis... I've never had generalized anxiety. But I did get health anxiety several years ago, so I can relate a bit. To me, succumbing to uour urgency to get constant reassuranc won't help ease your anxiety. It will just make it worse longterm. For stage 1 follow ups at 6 months are absolutely enough, because risk is really low. You must have follow up of corse, but 3 months is a bit too much. You will be experiencing severe anxiety prior to every scan. Do uou really need it in your life?

And about going to bathroom - stress can cause this. Sometimes when I'm stressed I can visit bathroom almost every 30 minutes. And you are definitely stressed at the moment. Pleas consider some therapy or medication. You had a fight with cancer and hav won it. You have a second chance to enjoy life, and not to live miserably, afraid of every cough.

As a hypochondriac, I know what I am talking about. I have started therapy in summer and already feel so much better! 

Good luck to you, please live in joy, not in fear!