Hi.

kutzi17 · April 2018

Good morning guys, my name is Jay, I'm an ER nurse. I went for my annual physical March 7, found microscopic hematuria with no clear source. I had no symptoms whatsoever. I was sent for a ct scan to r/o kidney stone. Had it done March 10 and March 11 I was told that I have a 5.3 cm mass in my right kdiney. Needless to say, I was in shock! All the bad thoughts started to get the best of me, if it wasn't for my wife, kids, family and friends, I woudn't know what I would have done the day I found out. Fast forward, I had a lap partial nephrectomy April 16, I was told by the urologist that he got everything. I was recovering well but 1 day after the surgery I developed a fever of 102. I was started on some serious antibiotics and started to feel well within a day. i was sent home 3 days after the surgery and I was feeling fine for a couple of days when I just started to have fever and chills out of nowherei. Went back to the ER, had scans done which the radiologist read as a possible abscess on the right kidney. My urologist, after reviewing the scan said that he don't think that it's an abscess as it would have given me much worse symptoms if it was. Anyway, three days in the hospital and they couldn't find out what caused the fever so they sent me home. It's been five days since then, I've seen my urologist since then and I was told that I'm cancer free, to take everything slowly. I feel okay other than the intermittent pain on my right flank which goes away after a tab of Acetaminophen. My concern is this, why is it that I'm still paranoid that there's still something lingering inside me? Is it normal to think like this? Thanks in advance guys and may God bless us all.

Brock1969 · April 2018

hello Jay

Those fears wander throughout the head of about 95% of the people on this I would imagine. I think because of the shock to the system, when a doctor says you are cancer free we tend to go "yeah, but what about this pain or the tiredness I feel at night, etc." I think it's all normal. Focus on what the doctor said....cancer free. I also had some fever issues which kept me in the hospital for a few extra days and also battled it on and off a few days upon returning home (it would go from 99 to 101 but nothing crazy). Just my body's way of saying "what the heck happened?" I guess. I think a lot of anxiety goes along with this, and having battled anxiety for years I can attest to the fact that it shows up in all sorts of strange ways in the body (back pain, eye strain, neck aches, dizziness, etc.). I have learned to trust the docs when they give the thumb's up. Sounds like your body is in a good spot, so get that head to also be in a good place. It will happen

Gtngbtr58 @aol.com · April 2018

You had a major procedure and you're probably still getting over the initial shock. Take it slow and easy- it takes times, but a few months down the road the physical and emotional/mental straighten out. All the best!!

Wehavenotimeatall · April 2018

Hi Jay

its early days

the shock and fear is very very real...

good news .. the op iS done... the first few months are not easy between the pain. Fatigue and the fear

its take a while to get used to the new you

it will get easier. Be good to yourself.. your body needs it now..

Good Luck

icemantoo · April 2018

Rough patches

Jay,

You are only a couple of weeks out of surgery. The worst should be behind you

Sorry about the rough patches following surgery. As an ER nurse I am sure you have seen those before.

icemantoo

kutzi17 · April 2018

Thanks a lot guys!

It's weird being on the other side of the spectrum, I've been taking care of sick patients for almost 20 years and then WHAM! I'm the patient. I really appreciate all of your input. As I read through the forum, the next anxiety ridden episode should be the scans? My doctor scheduled me for a ct scan every 6 months and an ultrasound every year. Ill talk to my PCP and will ask him to order a chest xray every 6 months as well. Better be safe.

icemantoo · April 2018

kutzi17 said:
Thanks a lot guys!
It's weird being on the other side of the spectrum, I've been taking care of sick patients for almost 20 years and then WHAM! I'm the patient. I really appreciate all of your input. As I read through the forum, the next anxiety ridden episode should be the scans? My doctor scheduled me for a ct scan every 6 months and an ultrasound every year. Ill talk to my PCP and will ask him to order a chest xray every 6 months as well. Better be safe.

Chest CT

Jay,

Also ask about a Chest ct instead of a chest xray. It picks up smaller nodules (and many time harmless nodules as well). All of my follow up was through the Urologist Surgeon rather than my PCP.

icemantoo

kutzi17 · May 2018

icemantoo said:
Chest CT
Jay,

Also ask about a Chest ct instead of a chest xray. It picks up smaller nodules (and many time harmless nodules as well). All of my follow up was through the Urologist Surgeon rather than my PCP.

icemantoo

icemantoo,

Thanks for the suggestion, I will ask my urologist for that before I visit him for my 6 month follow up. Did you have to see an onc as well or just the urologist?

Jay

icemantoo · May 2018

kutzi17 said:
icemantoo,
Thanks for the suggestion, I will ask my urologist for that before I visit him for my 6 month follow up. Did you have to see an onc as well or just the urologist?

Jay

Onc referral

Jay,

I didn't, but if it available under your coverage, ask.

icemantoo

kutzi17 · May 2018

icemantoo said:
Onc referral
Jay,

I didn't, but if it available under your coverage, ask.

icemantoo

Icemantoo,

Thanks a lot!! It's overwhelming to think that I was fine 6 weeks ago, was diagnosed, got operated and now recovering. Something to be thankful for for sure.

Glidergal365 · May 2018

I feel ya!

I have worked in hospitals since I was 20 and have worked the last 6 years as a community health worker. (And in Grad school to become a Social Worker). I just had a full nephretomy (they left my adrenal though) on the right side March 29th. Turned out to be Papillary RCC (one of the less common subtypes). I liked my Urologist for the surgery but ended up seeing an Oncologist for my follow up. I’m sure you know, Surgeon’s are good for some things, and specialists for others. You can look at my thread about second opinions if you’re curious. Good luck on the healing! I start back to work this Friday and Saturday.

Jenn

kutzi17 · May 2018

Glidergal365 said:
I feel ya!
I have worked in hospitals since I was 20 and have worked the last 6 years as a community health worker. (And in Grad school to become a Social Worker). I just had a full nephretomy (they left my adrenal though) on the right side March 29th. Turned out to be Papillary RCC (one of the less common subtypes). I liked my Urologist for the surgery but ended up seeing an Oncologist for my follow up. I’m sure you know, Surgeon’s are good for some things, and specialists for others. You can look at my thread about second opinions if you’re curious. Good luck on the healing! I start back to work this Friday and Saturday.

Jenn

Thanks Jenn

I don't know why I didn't find out about this forum prior to my surgery/days after diagnosis. It would have made the whole ordeal more tolerable. Anyhow, I wish you well as well and good luck on your first day back to work Jenn!

ImNotDeadYet · May 2018

Baseline scan

Hi Jay, and welcome.

If your insurance will cover it, I'd push for a baseline scan at six weeks out. That way, they'll know where any scar tissue is post-surgery and will have a good basis for comparison at six months.

I also agree with Icemantoo about getting CTs. For my scans, I get MRI of lower (with and without contrast) and CT of upper (no contrast).

Best of luck!

Gary

Hi.

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