just diagnosed

Hello. In reading this forum, I cannot tell you how comforting you all are (and brave as heck). My short story: 48 year old healthy male, exercise regularly, and had what I thought was a UTI with bladder discomfort for a few weeks, Urine test showed bacteria in urine. New Year's Day went to ER because I was fed up with the discomfort (which, honestly, was a 2 on a 10 scale . Doc did MRI which he said "looked fine." Had a follow up next day with my general doc who looked and said "did they say anything about your kidney? They flagged it." My heart dropped. Following day follow up contrast scan confirmed very small mass (less than 2cm). Meeting in two days with urologist to schedule the partial nephrectomy with the davinci robot method. 

I was given such reassurance by my primary ("you're gonna be just fine") and then the urologist nurse ("we have been looking at your scans and it's in an ideal spot and it's quite small. You'll be fine."). Of course, never having gone through this, the mind starts to wander. 

Few things about me. I have a bit of health anxiety to begin with, so of course I start thinking "has any of this spread? Is that pain under my rib related even though I just snow plowed the driveway after the storm? Why does this feel this way? THAT feel this way?" I know these are unreasonable thoughts, but I never thought that any of my neuroses would amount to being told I have a mass on my kidney either. 

My fear, if any of you God sent warriors can assure me with, would be the following:

1. This partial neph with the robot seems to be a miracle procedure. True?

2. Doctors seem to think this is so small that it is fairly routine. Need I worry?

3. How do I stop myself from thinking that I suddenly will be assessing my body for every pain and discomfort and thinking I have something somewhere else? Need you to do some cignitive therapy for me to dismiss the absurdity of it all. 

I thank you for all your time, concern, and help. I am big on reassurance. 

Wehavenotimeatall said:

Brock

You are one lucky  dude

Yes you have it but there is a  Good chance it could be nothing 

1) yes.  ( for most smallish tumours but rcc is unpredictable) Some might suggest  cyroabalation    ( ok if surgery is not tolerable)but get it out so you know it is gone and they can perform full histology on the little bugger

2) no.  Don’t worry.  A slight blip on the road whilst they remove it them move on.  I only wish mine that been that size.  yes it’s horrible you have to deal with it but think of the alternatives 

 

3) sorry but I believe no one will be able to help you with that until you have had it removed and analysed

but I would  agrre the doc and nurse.  You will be fine.  more than fine   You will be great and then checked for the next five years

in the meantime focus on the next step not all the scary stories you are reading

Annie

So many people on here who are incredible. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I will do the same post surgery to help assure as many people as I can as well. With all the negatives in the world, this forum is one huge positive. Thank you 

Cindy T in Washington said:

Well saw the Dr. yesterday. 

Well saw the Dr. yesterday.  The tumor is in the lower pole of the kidney and it appears to be within the fascia.  March 12th is the date for the surgery.  He does surgery robotically.  He is unconcerned about the cyst on my right kidney.  Any reccomendations?

forgive me

you already said

my god that is a very long wait

why does it take that long

APny said:

1. Let's put it this way.

1. Let's put it this way. Mine was an open partial and way less painful than I had feared. I was out of hospital on the third day. So robotic lap should be even easier.

2. There's always some worry but yes, it's very small so chances are very good the surgery is the end of it. Guaranteed? Of course not. But odds are on your side.

3. I wish I knew. I'm almost four years out and still think every ache and pain is cancer coming back. With time it will lessen but at first it's natural, I think.

Just get over the surgery, give yourself time to heal, see how you're doing, and if you need a bit of help via therapy, sure, go for it. All the best to you!

Appreciate your words of encouragement 

I very much appreciate it 

Your questions and fears are perfectly normal...I think so anyway. It is big, life-changing news. Yes, a laparoscopic partial is a great alternative to an open. You will want to keep as much kidney as possible. This is all new to you so of course you will wonder if every ache and pain is cancer! There is a 20% chance it is not and there are those on here who are the lucky ones!!! As you get answers the anxiety will lessen. It is the not knowing that is awful. For me, once I saw the specialist and had a surgery date set, my mind was at rest. I knew it was all going to be taken care of. Your mass is super small so you are very fortunate they found it. Sucks that you are going through this, but trust me....It is better they found it. All the best!!!!

Steve.Adam said:

Another way to look at it

Hi Brock.

I was just looking at another page on www.cancer.org with a lifetime cancer risk table.

We all have about a 39% chance of developing invasive cancer during our lifetimes.

After your nephrectomy your probability of recurrance is much lower than that, maybe 2% (I don't know the exact number).

So you have always had a fairly high chance of getting cancer. It is not really much higher now, if any. 

But now you will be more educated about cancer and more closely monitored.  You can take steps to minimise your risks. If you do get cancer again it will likely be spotted very early when it is easier to treat effectively.

I hope you find these thoughts helpful and not depressing. There is so much cancer in the world... But we are among the lucky ones. We have a very high probability of a complete cure. I hope you also come to feel lucky. 

Steve.

I noticed the horse in the background Steve. My daughter is an excellent, competetive equestrian (I call her the "Tom Brady of equestrian" as I am a huge Patriots fan). In two short years she has accumulated an entire bedroom full of blue ribbons. Thanks again for your response and taking time to relay those stats to me. My consult is tomorrow with the urologist and we will make a schedule date for surgery at that time I am sure. I will keep the kind people on this forum updated.

Funny. I went back to my church yesterday and it was like the sermon kind of spoke to me. It was all about the renewal of self in the new year. We as humans are constantly in a state of redefinition and flux. 2018 will certainly be that for me as I take as many positives from this as I can. Be a better father and husband and friend. I think I was all those things before (humbly stated I hope) but can always improve in those areas. There was a reason I found this out on New Year's Day 2018. Time to make the year an incredible one of tranformation, growth, strength and courage. All the best and giddy-up!

Brock