I've spoken of this in a few other threads, but I'll try to give the whole story here. Back about 3 weeks or so ago I had an attack of diverticulitis. I was fairly sure what it was, and at the ER they did a CAT scan to confirm it was indeed diverticulitis. When the CAT scan was read the Dr also said I have a 3cm x3cm "lesion" on my left kidney.
Then I went to a urologist who did a sonogram and then read both the CAT scan and the sonogram and told me that with about 80% certainty I have cancer on my left kidney. At that point a biopsy was scheduled for yesterday, but the day before the biopsy was changed, because the blood thinner I was on was still in my system despite being off it for 5 days. I now was put on an injectable blood thinner and can take that every day 2x, morning and night until 5 days after the biopsy and that is now set for 2/21.
Once cancer is determined to be what that "lesion" is, I'll have robotic surgery to remove it. I could lose anywhere from 20% to the entire kidney. That won't be known until the surgery.
I will post more as it is discovered.
Prayers are appreciated, thanks.
Dave
My thoughts and prayers that all goes well from CT Dave
You have mine.
DanGit Dave. Let's hope they are wrong
Our prayers as well, we've dealt with this too much, and yes they can be wrong. My step daughter has dealt with cancer since she was a baby, a few years back they removed a grapefruit size tumor from her maybe 90# body, it wasn't cancerous, hang in there we're with you.
Hang in there Dave, we are all pulling for you. Cancer is a miserable mistress, hard to find anyone that has not been touched by it.
DanG cancer. Should be a law against it.
Prayers on the way.
You hang in there Dave you can beat this I beat mine in 88
Hang in there and keep your head up we are all pulling for you. Banjo
Dave are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you all, it means a lot to have your support.
Just a bump in the road Dave. Praying you'll be fine.
Thinking of you and prayers sent
Thoughts and prayers for you, Dave!
Prayers head'n Your way -
Praying for good news from biopsy, successful surgery if needed, and strength for you to overcome.
Prayers sent and hope for good news.
Hope the biopsy proves no cancer and you're making syrup soon.
Hope all turns out well for you.
Prayers for successful treatment.
Sending positive mojo your way Maple. Hoping for the best!
My blood thinner instructions have been changed. I was first told to take the shot right thru the biopsy with no interruptions, Then I got a letter from my Biopsy Dr. telling my to skip the dose the night before and the day of, then resume then the day after. I hope they get it all right.
3 days away and counting right now, still hoping for the best.
Thanks all for the prayers.
Fingers crossed Maple and prayers your way brother. :)
Positive thinking is good.
Dave, you sure have my prayers. My favorite verse in the Bible is Mathew 19:26. "With God, all things are possible". There has been times in my life that I was pretty low and that verse pull me through it. It has became a cornerstone of my life, so I made it part of my business logo. God has blessed me to live my dream, and it is only fitting to share with others what HE has did for me. I am pulling for you brother. Remeber 19:26. Keep us informed.
2 x cancer survivor here. Much of it is mental...get through the stages of accept, anger, etc as quick as you can. My first cancer was at 42, then last year. I have a genetic disorder so that's how I'll die, I live each day. No mopping, get up and go as hard as I can and take a nap when I get tired. I can't do 16 hour days anymore but I can do a good 10 hours.
I tell you what, when you get to a certain acceptance level sunrise is prettier, friends more special, food taste better.
Good luck on the surgery! Seeing by your age that you have reached 71 which is a blessing in itself. My goal is 70. If I get to 70 chances are I'll have had testicular, colon, stomach, skin and brain cancer.
Prayers sent Dave!
Thank you all, I did have my biopsy yesterday, then they said I won't get my results for 6-7 days. I was thinking either the same day or next day. Still waiting.
I know it is though waiting for the word. Hang in there.
I got my results today. It is cancer. I forget which kind but the Dr said it is not an aggressive type and is far easier to get rid of than many. One thing going for me is that it was discovered very early on due to a bout with diverticulitis. When that happened (the second time in about 7-8 years), they confirmed it with a CT scan. They also discovered the cancer, far sooner than it would have otherwise been found.
As of now, I will tentatively have robotic surgery on 4/18. They think I will lose20-25% of my left kidney, but don't rule out losing it all if needed when they get in there. 2 Drs will do the surgery, one has done about 250 such surgeries, the other has done over 1500.
It turns out that the timing is working out pretty good too. My maple season has just begun and it generally is over sometime between 4/1 and 4/12. I will be able to make syrup.
I had made arrangements to have another producer boil my sap, now I won't need that.
Then after the surgery, past thew 6 week take it easy period my wife and I can still go on our Alaskan cruise in June. The Dr. says that should be no problem.
Even with cancer, things are looking up.
Sounds like you are in good hands. Good luck.
Sounds like GOOD bad news. Nobody wants to have cancer but you're in a lot better circumstance than many who have it.
Still sending prayers for the Lord to guide the medical team and give them the skill and wisdom to do everything that needs to be done to hasten your full recovery.
Herb
My Prayer is for Healing Grace.
You can whip it Maple. Prayers for ya.
Glad to hear you're okay. I personally cannot stand doctors. My mom died of a crappy antibiotic(SJ syndrome reaction), and my father has been terminal with cancer for the last 2 years, and is 'okay'. With my father, they gave him 2 weeks to 1 year, here we sit a year past that, and don't really think much about it anymore; as he's healthier now, than when diagnosed via tumor removal.
Life's a crap shoot, enjoy every moment, and every day, as it can be taken in an instant.
Dave,
Best of luck to ya! Having been through this, I can say that kidney cancer is one of the better ones to get. In most cases they can completely remove the tumors, and you may not even have to do the Chemo route. I was told I'd never make it out of 2004. Turns out I was misdiagnosed since I was still alive and kicking when They found a large tumor on my right kidney, a couple on the left and a couple more on my diapragm. 14 hours of surgery later and several biopsies they had it all.
I survived with 24% of a normal persons kidney function for darned near 10 years. You're not going to love it, but a good renal diet that can be found on Davita.com kept me from deteriorating for those 10 years. Then my kidney crapped out, taking out my liver with it. A new pair of organs and a year out of transplant I'm still kicking.
Keep a positive mental attitude. Don't listen to those who tell you you can't do anything you want, and keep kicking. You'll beat this.
Well, it's my turn with cancer. Testicular, came on sudden to. Having it removed tomorrow. Day surgery, so be home in my own bed that night.
I wish you lots of luck and hope all goes well!!!!!
Never good to hear Swamp, but if they have a plan of attack then that is a good start. A guy I went to Tech school went through the same deal. I usually see him once every few years, its been 20 something years and he is doing great. Wishing you best of luck and a speedy recovery.
Matt
Donk, I am wishing you the best during this procedure and a speedy recovery.
SD, this is not great news, but success rates are quite high with this from what I understand. I hope today goes as pain and stress free as possible. Sounds like it was caught early and this is a good thing.
Recover quickly!
Brother inlaw went threw it years ago. No problems since. Best of luck buddy for a speedy recovery.
I had a best friend that had that back in the late '70s. I see him every Friday night, as we go out with him and his wife. He does have to use a testosterone cream, but other than that no side effects from the cancer and the operation and no further cancers. In the past 45 yrs, I can imagine that the medical profession has taken great leaps.
Here's hoping your outcome will be just as good, or better.
Best wishes to you SD.
Keep your sights set high and your spirits up.
Apparently recovery from that type of cancer is very high; you'll be swinging a clearing saw in no time.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery SD.
SD Best wishes and a speedy recovery. Good friend of mine went threw it ten years ago and all is well with him.
My son in law had the surgery for it a number of years ago and has been doing fine since with regular checkups.
SD Hope everything went well. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thinking of you SD. Hope it all went the best.
Thanks all, big group hug. :sunny:
Surgery went well, was 1-1/2 hrs. They had located a couple kidney stones last week in the CT scan, so the Doc put in a stint for a few days until I go back and have those blasted to smithereens. I had no pain at all from those, which was surprising to the Doc. But it sure stings to pee after having a scope up the urine canal. ffcheesy I have dissolving type stitches that will just fall away. Sending mother after a couple prescripts today, 3 and 4 day doses of pain killer and antibiotic. I got home at 8:00 pm last night. Of course you don't sleep the first night much. Going in on the 17th for blood work to check blood markers to see if they are waning. Doc said CT showed no spread, pretty confident the surgery was curative. ffsmiley Will need the hormone (testosterone) supplementation (gel or needle). Will need semi annual checkups.
All sounds good!!!!! ffsmiley
Sounds like good news so far then.
Mother had a kidney tumor found during a routine scan for onother posisble issue a few years back. Only has one kidney now, but is 84 and still doing well. Sister is also a senior oncologist, and I don't think I could do that job. Sure most of her patients are successful, remission and many more years, but the ones you can't cure would get to me. If you can't fix a computer or chainsaw, you can buy a new one, if you can't fix a patient...
SD, hopefully you are in the 90% that can be treated :thumbsup:
Thank You Donk for the update and here is wishing you the best during your recovery and long term.
Hope the discomfort subsides quickly and you are back at it.
Glad it went well Swamp! 'Curative' is a very god word to hear in the story. :wink_2: Heal up fast, do what they tell ya.
You're off to a (new) good start!
That was da good news we were waiting to hear! :thumbsup:
Since I started this thread I guess it's finally time for an update. I had surgery in April 2018, where they robotically removed 15% of my left kidney.
Now, over 6 yrs later, I'm still doing well. The Drs at the time said they had gotten it all. Since then I've had rechecks once a year looking for new cancer, so far none has been found. They say I'm technically cured (after 5 yrs). I feel blessed that so many of you prayed for me, thank you for the prayers. This last test I was told I'll now be tested every other year. Thanks again!
In the end, I only needed the surgery, no chemo, no radiation.
More good news!!! ffsmiley
Good to hear you're both doing well.This is a tough group!
I'm glad your both doing well!
I just read this post .
I have an unrelated surgery today to remove two kidney stones in the ureters, one already has a stint to by pass it, the other had slipped down since last week into the water line. Yesterday, and especially today, is the first time my bowels moved in 8 days. :uhoh: Didn't dare eat any big meals, just soup, a sandwich, some fruit, a cereal bar, and yogurt. Lots of liquid. Glad she's moving again. Sure can't imagine being low on water, always drank over a gallon a day working and at least 2 - 900 ml SS bottles full daily. Will have to increase up take to 4 - 900 SS bottles full I guess when off work. That's besides home brewed juice, kambucha or 2-cups morning coffee.