my mothers kidney cancer

Lisauk
Lisauk Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Kidney Cancer #1
Hi everyone,
I am a new member in here so thought Id introduce myself. My mother of 64 was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer in her right kidney. She had a nephrectomy on the 16th January and is now recovering, up till now all tests for other parts are clear and it hasnt spread. Although the doctors say shes had this for about three years and the tumour was about 10cm and had grown on a vein and artery making the operationa little bit difficult. She is due to see an oncologist 6th March and have a chest and abdomen scan. We havent been told yet the stage or grade of the cancer. Can anybody tell what the next steps maybe. Obviously the oncologist will inform us then, just wonder if theres anybody else out there with about the same experience and how they have recovered. I hope my mother doesnt need chemotherapy, but i dont know what the procedure will be in this case.

thank you, would be nice to hear from any of you.

Comments

  • robinlouise
    robinlouise Member Posts: 6
    #2
    My husband was diagnosed in Dec. 07 with tumors on both kidneys. The left tumor is 10cm and the right is 5com. Before he started "sutent" a clinical trial before surgery, his scans did not show any other cancer except the kidneys. He has been on it for 27 days now and gets his 1st scan 4/9 to see if the tumors have shrunk enough to remove them and still leave at least 2/3 of 1 or both kidneys for function. I am not sure but it is not likely she will need Chemo. From what i have read if it has not spread anywhere she won't have any further treatment. I hope this helps you.
  • lbinmsp
    lbinmsp Member Posts: 266
    #3
    Hello - and first, let me say I'm sorry your mother has this disease but glad that she has you to help her through it.

    My own tumor was also about 10 cm and I had a radical nephrectomy (this is now almost 7 years ago). My surgeon (urologist) was also subspecialized as a urologic oncologist so he discussed the final pathologic diagnosis with me when I came in for my first postop visit. Generally speaking, kidney cancer doesn't respond to standard chemotherapy but there are some new drugs available that help to shrink tumors or even keep recurrence at bay. With this it's one step at a time ... have the surgery, heal and recover ... get your strength back ... KEEP all followup appointments ... stay positive ... LIVE!
    I did eventually to go a medical oncologist when I was diagnosed with a very early breast cancer but he and my urologic oncologist keep in close contact and share my followup reulsts with each other. I did 3 month followups for 3 years, then went to every 6 months. Followup is extremely important with this disease.

    God bless and good luck!
  • Lisauk
    Lisauk Member Posts: 7
    #4
    lbinmsp said:

    Hello - and first, let me say I'm sorry your mother has this disease but glad that she has you to help her through it.

    My own tumor was also about 10 cm and I had a radical nephrectomy (this is now almost 7 years ago). My surgeon (urologist) was also subspecialized as a urologic oncologist so he discussed the final pathologic diagnosis with me when I came in for my first postop visit. Generally speaking, kidney cancer doesn't respond to standard chemotherapy but there are some new drugs available that help to shrink tumors or even keep recurrence at bay. With this it's one step at a time ... have the surgery, heal and recover ... get your strength back ... KEEP all followup appointments ... stay positive ... LIVE!
    I did eventually to go a medical oncologist when I was diagnosed with a very early breast cancer but he and my urologic oncologist keep in close contact and share my followup reulsts with each other. I did 3 month followups for 3 years, then went to every 6 months. Followup is extremely important with this disease.

    God bless and good luck!

    Hello

    Thank you for replying to my message, you may get my message twice as I think i posted twice. Anyway Im glad that your operation was successful and that you are doing well. My mother saw her oncologist today(which is about 7 weeks now after her nephrectomy) and he says everything is looking good. She will not be undergoin chemotherapy as you mentioned doesnt have much affect with kidney cancer. Although the tumour was quite large it hasnt spread. The consultant has given her a choice to try a new trial drug for three years which could prevent this cancer reoccuring. So I am now looking up all information that I can about this trial drug. Of course at the end of the day its my mothers decision if she wants to try this trial. It is a difficult decision to make though, depends on what the side effects are.
    My mother is a little bit worried about her future, with the fear of it coming back, but i said to her shes just got to get on and put it behind her(easier said than done) and get on with her life as it was before.
    Thanks for your interest

    best wishes

    Lisa
  • floralam88
    floralam88 Member Posts: 14
    #5
    Lisauk said:

    Hello

    Thank you for replying to my message, you may get my message twice as I think i posted twice. Anyway Im glad that your operation was successful and that you are doing well. My mother saw her oncologist today(which is about 7 weeks now after her nephrectomy) and he says everything is looking good. She will not be undergoin chemotherapy as you mentioned doesnt have much affect with kidney cancer. Although the tumour was quite large it hasnt spread. The consultant has given her a choice to try a new trial drug for three years which could prevent this cancer reoccuring. So I am now looking up all information that I can about this trial drug. Of course at the end of the day its my mothers decision if she wants to try this trial. It is a difficult decision to make though, depends on what the side effects are.
    My mother is a little bit worried about her future, with the fear of it coming back, but i said to her shes just got to get on and put it behind her(easier said than done) and get on with her life as it was before.
    Thanks for your interest

    best wishes

    Lisa

    kidney CANCER

    Hi Lisa,

    I would like to find out how the Dr find out your Mom had kidney cancer? Any symptoms, or blood work to tell.



    My Mom passed away recently. I was in so desperatedly hurt. At the begining, she felt pain in her lower back, occasionally,she has a drop of blood in her urine. They did an Ultrasound on her, and it came back that a stone in her right kidney, no mass. The urologist didnot believe in that hospital, he has my mom do another ultrasound at other hospital, it came back the result that there is a cyst contain calcium that was in the middle of her kidney, no mass. But her kidney function was very normal, her urine flowing normally. He has my mom do the MRI/Pet CT scan and it showed that there are lesions in her right and left kidney and lym-node and on ther PET CT, this picture show some dark spot in her spine, and her pelvic bone.
    But the urologist suspect it's kidney cancer. It was something that really shock to all of our family member. My Mom didn't smoke,didn't drink, and she ate healthily every day, how could she gets the type of cancer. The oncologist, said he can't give my mom medication until the biopsy show that it's really kidney cancer. He had my mom undergo the bone biopsy.
    And the result came back no tumor identified. He then wanted my mom to do the Liver Biopsy,
    it showed dead cells.

    A few week laters, My mom developed blood clot in her both legs. And when we get to the ER,
    the Admit Dr. is not willing to give her the blood thinner medication after he reviewed the MRI/Pet CT test that my mom had. He said, he rather my mom died of cancer instead of the blood thinner medication.

    We don't have anyone in our family that has Kidney cancer. The first day my mom in the hospital, her kidney's function was very normal. After the 3rd and 4th day, my mom was very weak as they were giving my mom with 3 or 4 medications of antibiotic to treat what they called infection, as they see her white blood cell was little bit high.

    My Mom died, I am just so in pain. I don't know if she really have cancer.
  • Anita jo
    Anita jo Member Posts: 7
    #6
    floralam88 said:

    kidney CANCER

    Hi Lisa,

    I would like to find out how the Dr find out your Mom had kidney cancer? Any symptoms, or blood work to tell.



    My Mom passed away recently. I was in so desperatedly hurt. At the begining, she felt pain in her lower back, occasionally,she has a drop of blood in her urine. They did an Ultrasound on her, and it came back that a stone in her right kidney, no mass. The urologist didnot believe in that hospital, he has my mom do another ultrasound at other hospital, it came back the result that there is a cyst contain calcium that was in the middle of her kidney, no mass. But her kidney function was very normal, her urine flowing normally. He has my mom do the MRI/Pet CT scan and it showed that there are lesions in her right and left kidney and lym-node and on ther PET CT, this picture show some dark spot in her spine, and her pelvic bone.
    But the urologist suspect it's kidney cancer. It was something that really shock to all of our family member. My Mom didn't smoke,didn't drink, and she ate healthily every day, how could she gets the type of cancer. The oncologist, said he can't give my mom medication until the biopsy show that it's really kidney cancer. He had my mom undergo the bone biopsy.
    And the result came back no tumor identified. He then wanted my mom to do the Liver Biopsy,
    it showed dead cells.

    A few week laters, My mom developed blood clot in her both legs. And when we get to the ER,
    the Admit Dr. is not willing to give her the blood thinner medication after he reviewed the MRI/Pet CT test that my mom had. He said, he rather my mom died of cancer instead of the blood thinner medication.

    We don't have anyone in our family that has Kidney cancer. The first day my mom in the hospital, her kidney's function was very normal. After the 3rd and 4th day, my mom was very weak as they were giving my mom with 3 or 4 medications of antibiotic to treat what they called infection, as they see her white blood cell was little bit high.

    My Mom died, I am just so in pain. I don't know if she really have cancer.

    Kindney Cancer
    hi
    my husband has never been sick.oin april he started hurting in his lower
    back he went to the dr for 3 weeks .the dr was treating him for kindney stones
    i took him to the emergency room .they did cat scan .the emergency Dr came in the room and told us he did not have kindney stones that he had kindney cancer moved to his lungs and back
    he told us that he had months to live .we are going in to are 3rd month hospice is coming out now .so you are in are prayers
    Anita
  • floralam88
    floralam88 Member Posts: 14
    #7
    Anita jo said:

    Kindney Cancer
    hi
    my husband has never been sick.oin april he started hurting in his lower
    back he went to the dr for 3 weeks .the dr was treating him for kindney stones
    i took him to the emergency room .they did cat scan .the emergency Dr came in the room and told us he did not have kindney stones that he had kindney cancer moved to his lungs and back
    he told us that he had months to live .we are going in to are 3rd month hospice is coming out now .so you are in are prayers
    Anita

    Kidney cancer
    Hi Anita,

    Thanks for sharing about what your husband go through. How is he doing?
    Hope if you don't mind I asked the following question:

    Did he have blood in urine?
    Did he have significant of weight loss?
    Did they do the Ct scan w/contrast on him?
    Did he smoke or did he have any family history of cancer?
    Did he white blood cells show any abnormal?

    Hope you don't mind with the questions i asked. I am just so in pain even till now.
    I just felt so regret that I could have choosen for my Mom a wrong Urologist whom are so irresponsible?

    flora
  • Loretta58
    Loretta58 Member Posts: 6
    #8
    floralam88 said:

    kidney CANCER

    Hi Lisa,

    I would like to find out how the Dr find out your Mom had kidney cancer? Any symptoms, or blood work to tell.



    My Mom passed away recently. I was in so desperatedly hurt. At the begining, she felt pain in her lower back, occasionally,she has a drop of blood in her urine. They did an Ultrasound on her, and it came back that a stone in her right kidney, no mass. The urologist didnot believe in that hospital, he has my mom do another ultrasound at other hospital, it came back the result that there is a cyst contain calcium that was in the middle of her kidney, no mass. But her kidney function was very normal, her urine flowing normally. He has my mom do the MRI/Pet CT scan and it showed that there are lesions in her right and left kidney and lym-node and on ther PET CT, this picture show some dark spot in her spine, and her pelvic bone.
    But the urologist suspect it's kidney cancer. It was something that really shock to all of our family member. My Mom didn't smoke,didn't drink, and she ate healthily every day, how could she gets the type of cancer. The oncologist, said he can't give my mom medication until the biopsy show that it's really kidney cancer. He had my mom undergo the bone biopsy.
    And the result came back no tumor identified. He then wanted my mom to do the Liver Biopsy,
    it showed dead cells.

    A few week laters, My mom developed blood clot in her both legs. And when we get to the ER,
    the Admit Dr. is not willing to give her the blood thinner medication after he reviewed the MRI/Pet CT test that my mom had. He said, he rather my mom died of cancer instead of the blood thinner medication.

    We don't have anyone in our family that has Kidney cancer. The first day my mom in the hospital, her kidney's function was very normal. After the 3rd and 4th day, my mom was very weak as they were giving my mom with 3 or 4 medications of antibiotic to treat what they called infection, as they see her white blood cell was little bit high.

    My Mom died, I am just so in pain. I don't know if she really have cancer.

    Kidney Cancer
    I am so awefully sorry for your loss. I, too, lost my Mom (June 2009) to this terrible desease.
    My Mom's cancer was not found in time for proper treatment. If you get a chance please read "Rosemary's Story" on my story page. From the time she started not feeling well to her death was just a little over 7 months. Three of those months were spent in pain, in hospitals and in skilled nursing. I blame delays on the doctors' part, and use of "Hospitalists" by family doctors who know their patients' better for not finding the cancer in time.

    I know the pain you feel,and I am also looking for answers.
  • floralam88
    floralam88 Member Posts: 14
    #9
    Loretta58 said:

    Kidney Cancer
    I am so awefully sorry for your loss. I, too, lost my Mom (June 2009) to this terrible desease.
    My Mom's cancer was not found in time for proper treatment. If you get a chance please read "Rosemary's Story" on my story page. From the time she started not feeling well to her death was just a little over 7 months. Three of those months were spent in pain, in hospitals and in skilled nursing. I blame delays on the doctors' part, and use of "Hospitalists" by family doctors who know their patients' better for not finding the cancer in time.

    I know the pain you feel,and I am also looking for answers.

    Kidney cancer
    Hi Loretta,

    Sorry for your loss. I am trying to cope with the pain and emptiness everyday. It was so hard, I don't know if I could ever be happy again. The pain was terribly strong when I think of her. May I find out where you posted "Rosemary's story"
  • floralam88
    floralam88 Member Posts: 14
    #10
    Loretta58 said:

    Kidney Cancer
    I am so awefully sorry for your loss. I, too, lost my Mom (June 2009) to this terrible desease.
    My Mom's cancer was not found in time for proper treatment. If you get a chance please read "Rosemary's Story" on my story page. From the time she started not feeling well to her death was just a little over 7 months. Three of those months were spent in pain, in hospitals and in skilled nursing. I blame delays on the doctors' part, and use of "Hospitalists" by family doctors who know their patients' better for not finding the cancer in time.

    I know the pain you feel,and I am also looking for answers.

    Kidney cancer
    Hi Loretta,

    Sorry for your loss. I am trying to cope with the pain and emptiness everyday. It was so hard, I don't know if I could ever be happy again. The pain was terribly strong when I think of her. May I find out where you posted "Rosemary's story"
  • Mariza
    Mariza Member Posts: 1
    #11
    Loretta58 said:

    Kidney Cancer
    I am so awefully sorry for your loss. I, too, lost my Mom (June 2009) to this terrible desease.
    My Mom's cancer was not found in time for proper treatment. If you get a chance please read "Rosemary's Story" on my story page. From the time she started not feeling well to her death was just a little over 7 months. Three of those months were spent in pain, in hospitals and in skilled nursing. I blame delays on the doctors' part, and use of "Hospitalists" by family doctors who know their patients' better for not finding the cancer in time.

    I know the pain you feel,and I am also looking for answers.

    My mother's kidney cancer
    I am so very sorry for your loss. My mom had a tumor on her right kidney the size of a small melon and needless to say had a radical nephrectomy. She felt somewhat better after a few weeks after surgery but then after started feeling all kinds of pain again. She has spent the last few weeks in doctors again because of pain and because of ascites. They drained 3.5 liters of fluid from her abdomen and it's starting to fill up again. A visit to the oncologist today revealed no info on where the cancer is! Unbelievable! I feel like they have wasted so much time already, I don't know what to do.
  • floralam88
    floralam88 Member Posts: 14
    #12
    Mariza said:

    My mother's kidney cancer
    I am so very sorry for your loss. My mom had a tumor on her right kidney the size of a small melon and needless to say had a radical nephrectomy. She felt somewhat better after a few weeks after surgery but then after started feeling all kinds of pain again. She has spent the last few weeks in doctors again because of pain and because of ascites. They drained 3.5 liters of fluid from her abdomen and it's starting to fill up again. A visit to the oncologist today revealed no info on where the cancer is! Unbelievable! I feel like they have wasted so much time already, I don't know what to do.

    It's better to ask the
    It's better to ask the doctor questions of what is causing the fluid filled up. I regret of not knowing to ask them questions as I thought they should be responsible to provide us the explanation and to use their best effort with the medical knowledge and experties to save one's life, however, it wasn't appeared as what I thought. How is your mom feeling right now?
  • JeffBeck
    JeffBeck Member Posts: 1
    #13
    Mariza said:

    My mother's kidney cancer
    I am so very sorry for your loss. My mom had a tumor on her right kidney the size of a small melon and needless to say had a radical nephrectomy. She felt somewhat better after a few weeks after surgery but then after started feeling all kinds of pain again. She has spent the last few weeks in doctors again because of pain and because of ascites. They drained 3.5 liters of fluid from her abdomen and it's starting to fill up again. A visit to the oncologist today revealed no info on where the cancer is! Unbelievable! I feel like they have wasted so much time already, I don't know what to do.

    A Hard Journey
    I'm sorry to hear about your difficult journey Mariza,
    the truth is that once kidney cancer has been diagnosed the process of locating the cancer shouldn't really usually take that long. I hope that your oncologist managed to locate it and treat it as best as was possible.

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