Survivors

I am a 3 1/2 year survivor after a Stage one right radical left nephrectomy. I come to the site ever so often to see what people have to say, and I too was pleasantly surprized to see your message. I think of the cancer mainly around the time I go in for a check but it is with me in the back of my mind most of the time. I try to live each day to the fullest and to remember how lucky I am when I'm down. I have lost many family members to cancer so when I was diagnosed I immediately thought I would be with them. My mother died at age 30 from a lymphoma so I have been blessed to live to the ripe young age of 51 and see all 3 of my children grow up.

I do wonder about follow up care with the stage one diagnosis. My Dr. only recommends a yearly chest xray and a CT scan bi yearly. I do get my mammograms and have regular check ups but can anyone shed any more light on the follow up?

I appreciate all of you and we are all so fortunate, and I especially feel blessed with good friends and family. I don't take any of these things foregranted.

Happy Day to all!

LisaJo said:

I am a 3 1/2 year survivor after a Stage one right radical left nephrectomy. I come to the site ever so often to see what people have to say, and I too was pleasantly surprized to see your message. I think of the cancer mainly around the time I go in for a check but it is with me in the back of my mind most of the time. I try to live each day to the fullest and to remember how lucky I am when I'm down. I have lost many family members to cancer so when I was diagnosed I immediately thought I would be with them. My mother died at age 30 from a lymphoma so I have been blessed to live to the ripe young age of 51 and see all 3 of my children grow up.

I do wonder about follow up care with the stage one diagnosis. My Dr. only recommends a yearly chest xray and a CT scan bi yearly. I do get my mammograms and have regular check ups but can anyone shed any more light on the follow up?

I appreciate all of you and we are all so fortunate, and I especially feel blessed with good friends and family. I don't take any of these things foregranted.

Happy Day to all!

You are wondering about followup - my doctor told me a yearly cat scan was the only followup for my stage 1 renal cell. I'm also survivor of Stage 2 endometrial/uterine cancer (7/23/07).Followup for that is 3month exams. There is no history of cancer in my family, I am the first, and now worry about my daughters and what they may face in the future. I don't think these thoughts will ever go away. Glad to hear you are 3 1/2 yr survivor..and are doing well.

Hi, I've been away from this site for a while too. I had kidney cancer surgery on June 7, 2004. They did a partial nephrectomy on my right kidney. My latest results on Jan 22, 2008, show everything is ok. I am so grateful considering my cancer was found accidently and I probably had up to a year before it was found. I still have alot of pain on my right side,from front to back. Oddly enough the pain started a year before the cancer was found. They say there is no connection to the two. I've had several dr.'s look into it and had 6 months of steroid shots in my head, neck, and back. Nothing works. I am on pain meds and don't like being on them, but I wouldn't be able to function if I didn't. My own kids ages 21 and 18 will have to start being checked for it when they turn 30, because I was so young (36) and the type of cancer. I'm 40 now and have some health issues, but grateful for everday I'm given. I am, though, going through a divorce. My ex made me feel more like a burden than anything. He would not let me talk about it and I needed too. But now I'm happier and in the end he will realize it's his loss!! All of you who have spouses who stand by you, be happy and appreciative. I will keep all of you and your families in my prayers. Take care.

sviessman said:

This is my first time participating in any type of group since I first learned I had RCC Stage 1. I had a radical right nephrectomy February 28, 2007. I still have some issues and am with my third urologists. I have had a hard time finding a doctor with the skills, compassion and understanding that I need. This is all very new to me. I have a fantastic primary doctor but this is not his field of expertise. He has been wonderful in trying to find a doctor to address my health needs.

My first doctor said that after my surgery this would be a "distant memory". I would like nothing more than it to be just a memory. Has anyone else had challanges finding a doctor to help?

I am glad that I did visit this site, because regardless of all the great family and friend support I have received, none of them have gone through this experence. It is comforting read about others experiences and know that you are not alone.

Bless all of you and your families!

Your situation sounds a lot like mine. My primary car Dr. is wonderful, kind and listens. My Urologist is good at what he does but doesn't have an ounce of compassion or bedside manner. I feel competent in his skills as a surgeon but he also responds to my questions in much the same way yours does. I too had RCC stage I and a radical neph.about the same time as you. No chemo or anything else and yes it was by coincidence they found it. My main question to you is what other issues are you dealing with? Do they concern the kidney cancer? I too wonder if I am up to speed sometimes and if I am getting the best follow up care, so I am curious. Thanks for your input in advance.

LisaJo said:

Your situation sounds a lot like mine. My primary car Dr. is wonderful, kind and listens. My Urologist is good at what he does but doesn't have an ounce of compassion or bedside manner. I feel competent in his skills as a surgeon but he also responds to my questions in much the same way yours does. I too had RCC stage I and a radical neph.about the same time as you. No chemo or anything else and yes it was by coincidence they found it. My main question to you is what other issues are you dealing with? Do they concern the kidney cancer? I too wonder if I am up to speed sometimes and if I am getting the best follow up care, so I am curious. Thanks for your input in advance.

In response to LisaJo, I have other health issues since the kindey cancer that I did not have prior. I am dealing with ovarian cysts that were discovered on a follow up CT scan that were not there in earlier CT scans. I also have some vascular leg issues that I have not had resolved as of yet. Also my initial symptoms, that were what prompted the further testing and discovery of the cancer, are stil persistant. I have been on an antibotic for the last 5 months. I don't know if these are residule effects of the cancer or what is going on. Are you dealing with any other health issues?

Since this posting I have been checking regularly. It is really the first venue I'v had to talk and listen to people in the same position with the same concerns. Let's try to keep this up as I feel it is comforting to hear I'm not totally crazy! I like all the suggestions and hope everyone will keep posting.

Wishing health and happiness to all of you!

Hi just read your message, I am a 4 year survivor, I had my right kidney removed and thanks be to God I haven't had any more evident's of the cancer spreading. I am glad that there are others out there who share in my experience. I don't come to this site much one reason is unlike other cancers the treatment is mostly removal of the affective area if the cancer has not spread. So my treatments consist of CT-Scan's and X-Ray's, thank's for the reminder it's good to remember that you are a survivors. My prayers go out to all.

First time on this particular site
I am usaully on the colon cancer site as I am fighting a sever illness and have not yet been DX. But my husband was dx with Kidney cancer dec.2006. He had a total kidney removal since the entire kidney was involved.All found by accident-Our joke is he had diarrea for 9 days so a trip to the er they sent him home with Kidney cancer-Surgery done Dec. 18th-and the pills they put him on for pain gave him Dementhia. He turned 75 this year. And he to does the xrays and cat scans and nothing has changed in 2 years. He was fourtante that no other area was affected. He has done great since the removal.
Karen

RCC
I just had a left radical nephrectomy on dec 15.Still healing up and have not gone in for ct scan yet.I didn't know we had to have that many ct scans.As far as recovery,I feel like I'm coming around,does it take a long time to heal on the inside?I don't want to over do it.