New. Waiting. Worried

Most people in your situation have a very good outcome. Without more information there's not much more to be said.

Waiting for information, scans, reviews, procedures etc. is hard, but you will get used to it.

Asking those millions of questions here is a great way to pass the time.  Joining this forum was the best thing I did.

I had no pain at all, by the way. Even the aftermath of surgery was OK.  The only pain I had was the removal of some very sticky protective tape from a long stapled incision.  One of the nurses said 'you've basically just had a wax.'. Ouch!! Ouch!! Ouch!!

Steve.

It's good if they've found it early.  Mine was found totally by accident (2.7 cm) on the lower pole of the left kidney.  Unfortunately, it had broken containment which puts me at a higher risk and means I have to have to be in a higher scan protocol.  My surgeon was very optimitstic though, and shared a study which indicated I have about an 8% chance of reoccurance. You will have lots of questions, anxiety, and dark feelings you've probaby never experienced before.  This is a great place to share and ask questions.

Anxiety?  That's part of the "fun" with this journey.  The true test is figuring out how to deal with it.  Once you do, this journey isn't as bumpy.  Like others have said, with a 3.3 mass the outlook for you is very bright.  Soon you'll get a surgery date then things really start to move along.  Kee us updated on how things are going and with any questions you have.  We'll do our best to help.

Take care,

Stub

My CT scans have pretty much looked at everything from my aorta down to my tailbone.  And that's one of the reasons why I have not balked at having an annual CT.  There's a history in my father's family of aortal problems and I have had a few stomach issues that required surgery to correct, so getting some professional eyes on my innards on a regular basis is something I don't mind.

Tapman63 said:

I guess one of my big fears

I guess one of my big fears is that the cancer started somewhere else and spread to the kidneys instead of vice versa.  Now every pain I have, I wonder if that's a new cancer spot....

 

Tapman,

From what I have read Kidney Cancer spreads from the Kidney rather than other cancers spreading to the Kidney. At 3.3 cm it is unlikely to spread.

Icemantoo

Hi. Mine was thought to be 3.6cm but was actually smaller when they took it out. Yours is small so sounds like they caught it early which is great!! For the past year I always felt like someone punched me in the kidney/back. It was a weird pinching feeling at times too. I had surgery 7 weeks ago and that feeling is completely gone!!! I do believe the CT scan shows other organs because it is an abdominal scan. Along with the tumor I was told I had cysts on my spleen and pancreas. So ,yep, I guess it does catch it all. Please know you are free to ask anything on here. Everyone is very helpful!!

Well recently there have been 2 ppl on here whose tumors ended up not being cancer. I hope that is the caae for you!

Jim,

Sorry you had to join. All of us felt like sh-- when we herd the diagnosis. Harder that you had a famoly history. For what its worth at 2.2cm it is very unlikely that the prognosis is not just good, but excellent. The anxiety will wear off. We have all been there and done that. That was me 15 1/2 years ago.

Icemantoo

BTW, Jim people forget to tell you about the GAS that is used to raise your abdomen so the surgeon can SEE around your organs.Have you ever had any surgeries? Well, this gas gets trapped in weird areas, mostly around the shoulder. i have had 4 abdominal surgeries and the gas being trapped was my worst pain! Once I knew it was ONLY gas, I stopped worrying about the pain. Instead I moved my ar, around in circles to get the gas to move.

Also, I used ice packs around the incision. I had to beg for it while inpatient. To me, it reduces the edema/swelling and helped reduce pain much more strategically than just using pain pills. 

What was most helpful to me, besides the ice packs (do not use ice cubes.. too messy) was wearing my lumbar, velcro wrap. It holds and supports those aching, sore muscles. My surgeon said it was ok. It helped me get UP from sitting or laying down. I used it 24/7 for awhile. 

Also helps to WALK. Cannot lift certain amt of weight (surgeon will tell you) or exercise for 30 days. 

Just remember 1st week is a challenge and adjustment. But I started to feel so much better after 5 days, then after a couple of weeks, that I sent home my caretaker in less than a week. 

Again, we're here for you.

Ask any questions. I know it helped me to be so prepared before and after surgery.

Good to know that bugger was OUT!

Hugs, Jan

icemantoo said:

Welcome

Jim,

 

Sorry you had to join. All of us felt like sh-- when we herd the diagnosis. Harder that you had a famoly history. For what its worth at 2.2cm it is very unlikely that the prognosis is not just good, but excellent. The anxiety will wear off. We have all been there and done that. That was me 15 1/2 years ago.

 

Icemantoo

That makes me feel so much better!! 15 1/2 years is awesome!! I love reading the survivor stories. I'm 46 and in great shape.. Lifted weights my entire life always stayed in good shape.. But since Dad had renal cell... I'll admit... I've often worried!! 5 years have passed since Dad left us but he made it very clear that he wanted his boys to stay on top of this disease. I made sure I did all I could to catch it soon.