Hey all, I'm new on here I was told yesterday that the mass on my left kidney is cancer (rcc) I'm being told that my kidney most likely will have to be removed. The mass is 6cm and has blood vesels attached to it which is supplying it with blood. I am going to see the urologist on Wendsay. I guess my question is, what can I expect when I go to the doctor? And If my kidney is removed, how long can I expect to be laid and out of work?
Sorry to hear that you have a 6cm mass on your left kidney. The Urologist mostly will tell you that you need to remove whole kidney. There are two kind of Urologists. One can ONLY know how to operate "Open Surgery" and other can operate "Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery". "Open Surgery" might need blood transfusion and it might have a bigger wound (from front to the back). It will take at least three months to recover. "Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery" might not need blood transfusion and it might have about 4" wound above the belly button and two small holes (like less than one inch each left side, a little bit down left from the belly button). It will take two to four weeks to recover. Staying in Hospital: "Open Surgery" is about five days. "Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery" is about two days.
I had my whole left kidney with 7cm mass inside removed last Oct. by "Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery". The Urologist is very nice and he did a wonderful surgery. I was able to walk to parking garage (off site of the hospital) on the day of leaving the hospital. By the way, do you mind telling us how old are you ? I was sixty two at the time of surgery.
I am new here also. My Dr. found a renal mass in early may that measures 10 to 11 cm (depends on which report you are looking at). I am scheduled for surgery soon and find myself very apprehensive. I do not know what to expect but will be happy to share my thoughts after the surgery. In the meantime, HANG IN THERE!
Thanks for the kind words. I saw the doctor yesterday and go for my M R I tomorrow. My doctor says he s shooting the 9th for the surgery, I am very nervous about it but I am ready for it to come out. I hope and pray that everything goes well for you.
Thanks for the kind words. I saw the doctor yesterday and go for my M R I tomorrow. My doctor says he s shooting the 9th for the surgery, I am very nervous about it but I am ready for it to come out. I hope and pray that everything goes well for you.
My surgery is on the 9th. Guess we will find out at the same time. I, too, am ready for it to come out. The Dr. told me on May 10th that they chances of mine being cancer are 50 - 75%. Talk about stress! Please keep me posted on your progress. I will be thinking of you. We WILL get through this.
The following user gives a hug of support to MrsMary: Nisky18 (07-30-2011)
My surgery is on the 9th. Guess we will find out at the same time. I, too, am ready for it to come out. The Dr. told me on May 10th that they chances of mine being cancer are 50 - 75%. Talk about stress! Please keep me posted on your progress. I will be thinking of you. We WILL get through this.
Yes we Will. My doc told me that it s only a 15% chance that it s not cancer, so I know what you r talking about when you say you r stressed out. Just wondering, are you in allot of pain with yours because I am.
I cannot honestly say I am in a lot of pain. Initially, I went to the Dr. because I thought there was something wrong with my stomach or the gallbladder was acting up. They ordered an abdomen ultrasound; found the mass on my kidney. I also have a mass on my ovary that will need to be removed -- the Drs. does not think they are related. The Dr. did say my stomach discomfort could be related to the kidney mass. I have had CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, xrays, a heart cath (turns out I didn't even need that one), a kidney flow test, blood work, and etc. With each test my stress level thermometer goes up! I do not think anyone can understand how scary this all is -- until you have to go through it. Please keep me posted on your testing and progress.
Yea my doctor told me the same thing my pain could be due to the mass on the kidney but he doesn't know. And you are so right, those who have never gone through it can ever understand that it is very scary. This is my first ever surgery and scary it is. I will defiantly keep you posted, I go for the MRI tomorrow.
My thoughts are with you today. The MRI is not difficult; just really boring. The trick is to lie very still and not move. I don't think I moved a muscle, because I did not want to have to redo the test. Good luck!
Thanks MrsMary. I'll be leaving for the hospital soon, I'll let ya how things go. I was scared going into the c t scan and that turned out to be nothing, so I'm a bit more at ease going into this. But I thank you for your words of encouragement, it helps.
The following user gives a hug of support to sag24fan: hello kitten (08-25-2011)
The Following User Says Thank You to sag24fan For This Useful Post: hello kitten (08-25-2011)
Hey all, I'm new on here I was told yesterday that the mass on my left kidney is cancer (rcc) I'm being told that my kidney most likely will have to be removed. The mass is 6cm and has blood vesels attached to it which is supplying it with blood. I am going to see the urologist on Wendsay. I guess my question is, what can I expect when I go to the doctor? And If my kidney is removed, how long can I expect to be laid and out of work?
Hello. My renal cell cancer mass was 4 cm & although the surgeons prefer to remove the kidney, I wanted just the mass removed and the research I did showed that was acceptable for most tumors under 5 cm. The reality is that we go to sleep under anesthesia and don't know til we awaken what was found when we were opened up. I was lucky and a partial nephrectomy was performed July 14, 2011. My cancer was found by accident, I had no symptoms at all. From what I've read, the healing process is different for everyone whether you've had a partial or full nephrectomy. A lot depends on your general health and weight. After removal of a kidney it's important to keep yourself as healthy as you can so you don't unduly tax the remaining kidney. Good luck. Accept the good wishes and assistance of family and friends. Be grateful for life and the internet.
The Following User Says Thank You to Nisky18 For This Useful Post: MrsMary (07-30-2011)
Thanks. I'm glad things worked out the way it did for you. I have been told there gonna have to take the whole kidney and I should be in the hospital for about a week. And your right about family and friends and I am very grateful to have a great family and some really good friends that have and will be there for me. And finding this website with it's message boards has helped as well.
The following user gives a hug of support to sag24fan: MrsMary (07-30-2011)
I'm sending good wishes and healing thoughts. At 44 you're fairly young so keep healthy post surgery. You're lucky to have lots of family help. I don't. My brother died in '07 and my 87 yr old mom is sick and lives 200 miles away. My two teenaged children are..well..teens. they helped a little but my friends have been remarkable, cooking and shopping for me. Hang in there and focus on good things with healing.
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: Nisky18 MrsMary (07-30-2011), sag24fan (07-30-2011)
Hi: How are you feeling in general? Are you able to work around this house, drive, or do laundry yet? I am a realtor and need to work every day -- no work, no pay. I am concerned about how long it will be before I can get back to some sort of normal life.
I retired in Sept 2010 so don't work out of the house. I'm slowly able to do things like dishes and laundry but can't really stand to long. Walking feels good up to a point and I'm always sleeping. My body is definitely telling me it neds to heal. But no pain..just a nagging side ache. I see the doctor for folow up on AUGUST 8 & have lots of questions. I'm grateful for the gift of life and friends.
Your positive outlook encourages me. I am a pretty active individual and really have a hard time being "down." I tend to be obsessive about things that need to be done -- pacing myself will be difficult. I appreciate your insight.
I'm sending good wishes and healing thoughts. At 44 you're fairly young so keep healthy post surgery. You're lucky to have lots of family help. I don't. My brother died in '07 and my 87 yr old mom is sick and lives 200 miles away. My two teenaged children are..well..teens. they helped a little but my friends have been remarkable, cooking and shopping for me. Hang in there and focus on good things with healing.
Thank you and I hope your mother gets better soon. I am a bit over weight and I'm diabetic so I don't know that's gonna play out with my healing time, but I know with the family support I do have I will be back on my feet in time.
I'm also diabetic but when I was diagnosed in 2007 I took off 80 lbs and controlled the diabetes thru diet and exercise. I've kept 70 of the lbs off so insulin needed. Its not too late to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Keep god thoughts and be grateful for family. I'm sending good wishes and healing thoughts.
The Following User Says Thank You to Nisky18 For This Useful Post: sag24fan (07-30-2011)
Hello again! My surgery was done on 8-9-11 and I am at home recovering. My news is that in spite of the dire predictions, my tumor was large but benign. I hope that you have had your surgery and that the news is the same. Recovery is slow. I am tired much of the time; not in great pain. The greatest amount of discomfort is from the large incision. I am starting to move around the house more -- very slowly though. I am thinking of you.
