Cancer scares

[Carrie]

I know that cancer scares can be very draining. I started out by having a full blood work done it came back with something wrong with my left kidney.  So I was then sent in for an ultrasound that came back with a little more information.  I was then sent in for a cat scan which came back saying in the left kidney, 2.9 cm x 2.6 cm heterogeneously enhancing lesion is identified, exophytic arising from the upper pole, suspicious for a renal neoplasm.

This is language that I do not really understand.  I told my doctor that it may not be malignant she told me that there is only an 18% chance that it is not cancer.  However I will remain positive until I go into Urology on Thursday next week.  I do not think it is too bad as it is only shown in my left kidney at worst  I might have to have the left kidney taken out and hopefully that will end the problem.

Not sure how having a kidney removed will affect my overall health.

I guess I just needed to get that out loud.

I do remain hopeful. ?

[Jackie C.]

Yes, remain hopeful! That's a huge part of recovery.

 

When we had our cancer scare, I was an absolute wreck. We had surgery, chemo, horrible drugs, but my wife beat it and came out the other side. Through it all, she maintained her positive attitude. You can't let it grind you down, even though it's scary.

 

Hugs!

[Jackie C.]

I also feel I should point out that, even if you lose the kidney, you come equipped with two (or more) factory standard. I mention or more because my Aunt Mary had three.

 

Hugs!

[Carrie]

Three!! That is a new one I had never herd of that. ?

[Jackie C.]

When the doctors discovered it, they wouldn't let her donate it because she was in her late eighties. It kind of hacked her off.

 

Hugs!

[Emily michelle]

Hopefully they can get it out soon enough and you won’t have to go through chemotherapy or anything.

[Jani]

My wife and I both have had cancer and I agree it is nerve wracking.  She was scheduled for surgery right away wile I was given the option to wait and watch.  It didn't take long to realize this was not for me.  The specter of having cancer in me (it had been positively id'ed) was too much so I had surgery too. 

 

As to your kidney, you can survive on one.  My son had one damaged in an accident and it was removed.  He's fine 15 years later.  I would follow up on treat and consider the options carefully.  Stay positive and don't let nerves get the better of you.  

 

Hugs, Jani

[MiraM]

Cancer possibilities are not fun.  I was diagnosed with Hurthle cell carcinoma 18 months ago.  Even if you think that it may not be cancer, my advice would be to ere on the side of caution, and follow your doctor's recommendations, while still being hopeful.  I ignored my doctor's warnings for over a year and did not get an ultrasound when he discovered the growth in my neck.  When I finally did have it looked at, I had gone from one tumor to four.  Try to stay positive, but at the same time, don't downplay the risk.

[Heather Shay]

@MiraM I hope you have had them removed AND are free of that worry. I faced possible prostate cancer years ago and had 2 biopsies that weren't fun - BUT - they showed I did not have it and you talk about relief. Cancer is not something to mess with and needs to be handled as quick as the possibility presents itself.

Hope you are well.

[MiraM]

21 hours ago, Shay said:

@MiraM I hope you have had them removed AND are free of that worry. I faced possible prostate cancer years ago and had 2 biopsies that weren't fun - BUT - they showed I did not have it and you talk about relief. Cancer is not something to mess with and needs to be handled as quick as the possibility presents itself.

Hope you are well.

@Shay  They are gone.  I had surgery on March 1, 2019.  My last ultrasound showed a new small growth in my neck, but so far none of the tumor markers they look for in my blood work are present.  My doctor is watching it closely.  At this point, I am at 18 months with no detectable disease.

[Heather Shay]

Fantastic. I am so glad you are taking care and being proactive.

[Carrie]

Thanks everyone!

Will be going into Urology on Thursday the 24th. Will have a better idea then.

Thankyou for the support.

Carrie