Renal Cell Carcinoma

[Geoff Sims]

Hi All

Been reading Sturdee's story about his Prostate Operation and so I thought I'd relate my story and maybe pose a question or two.

I don't have prostate cancer, and have had regular PSA tests and the dreaded DRE's which have always come up clear.

I've always been fairly well and fit and have had no symptoms or illness at all. I am a type 2 diabetic, and have had to change my lifestyle radically over the years to manage the disease and have a very good diet and exercise routine. My diabetes is well controlled.

Having had regular blood tests and checks for my diabetes, ie; kidney function, cholesterol, lipids and all those things, all returning normal, I thought I was doing well.

I happened to mention to my GP recently that my urine flow had slowed down and become intermittent over the past twelve months, so she sent me to a urologist to get checked out.

The urologist sent me for an ultrasound and I was surprised when he called me that same evening saying that the ultrasound had revealed a 45mm mass on my right kidney and that he wanted me to get a CT Scan ASAP. That he would call me fairly late on a Friday evening gave me a pretty good clue that this was not good.

The CT Scan and some other checks have come up with Renal Cell Carcinoma which, according to my research is not good.

I haven't been back to the urologist yet to discuss the results or necessary intervention yet. That will happen next week. However, I would imagine the kidney will need to be removed.

My question is, supposing I do have to have the kidney removed, how long would be the likely recovery time? How long should I expect to be off work? I know no-one can give me a definitive answer, but I'd like a clue as to what I might be looking at time wise.

So, my journey into the world of cancer has just begun. As in Sturdee's story with his prostate trouble's, if there is any interest, I am willing to relate my experiences in the forum. Who knows, it may even be of assistance to someone else who may be in the same boat, either now or in the future.

Any and all comments will be welcome.

Cheers
Geoff

[chrisb691]

Hi geoff,

My 89 yo mother had a kidney removed last November (keyhole surgery). They sent her home 3 days after the op, and she was quite comfortable a week later.

[prozac]

Hi Geoff, sorry to hear about your setback. Can't say that i know anything about this sort of thing suffice for documentaries, and shows like RPA where you see patients being given a kidney from a family member or friend. The late Kerrie Packer received such a gift from his helicopter pilot employee with whom he had become friends.

They say that the kidney donor fares worse than the recipient. So I would only suppose that you would be in the same basket as a donor, which can't be too awful or no-one would consider doing it.

Good luck with the op and best wishes for a succesful outcome.

prozac

[mat]

Unfortunately, you are unlikely to have keyhole surgery when there is a cancer as the surgeon will want to have a good look around for any spread or lymph nodes involved. This means a fairly large incision and recovery is slow. You certainly will not be doing anything strenuous for a month to six weeks and will be fairly uncomfortable and relying on pain killers for at least the first week.

[Geoff Sims]

Chris, Prozac, Mat

Thanks for your responses.

Afer talking to a few people, I've gained the impression I could be off work for a couple of months.

I think Mat's assessment will prove to be pretty close to the mark. It's not likely to be keyhole surgery.

I'll just have to wait until Tuesday to get all the definitive info first hand from the specialist.

Cheers
Geoff

[prozac]

My fingers are crossed for you Geoff. Let us know how you get on.

prozac

[Ironwood]

Geoff,
I wish you all the the best, and a speedy recovery.

I had my thyroid removed and about 30 glands from my upper chest due to cancer, 2 years ago now, it took me a few months before I was ready to look at going back to work, on restricted duties. ie: computer work.

Anyway I hope things go well for you.

[artme]

Hope things go well for you Geoff.
I wouldn't worryy about recovery time. Just concentrate on the recovery.
Stay positive.
Cheers, artme.

[Geoff Sims]

Hi All

Been a while since I last posted. Sorry about that. Have had a lot going on lately with my youngest son and his partner getting engaged, a wedding and some other happy events. Great to have had such good news.....takes your mind off other things.

My urologist referred me to a specialist urological surgeon rather than doing the operation himself. This has meant another round of visits to doctors offices and even more tests.

I've had some more CT scans to confirm that the cancer has not spread and my surgeon is confident that it is totally confined to the right kidney. Good news. Not going to mess about with it. Just going to take the whole kidney. After recovery from the surgery, I'll be as good as new as the remaining kidney is 100% OK and since we only need one, all should be well.

The surgeon has also confirmed that he can remove it via keyhole surgery which will make the recovery a bit less unpleasant.

I don't know how he's going to get the kidney out through a small incision (about 3cm I believe), but he assures me he can, providing he doesn't find anything suspicious or unexpected. If he does, it will turn into open surgery.

I'm going to have the surgery on September 8. It's been a bit of a wait since I first found out about it, but I'm assured there's no danger in waiting until then. No choice anyway, as, even though I'm going into a private hospital, my surgeon just isn't available until then and, since he's said to be the best available in Perth, I just have to wait.

Off to see the anaesthetist on Thursday and another blood test next week and that's it until the big day.

For those who are interested I'll post more as it happens.

Thanks for your good wishes.

Cheers

[m2c1Iw]

Geoff,
The waiting is definately hard, the mind wanders I'm sure you know what I mean.

I owe an apology to all the people who have told me of their illness in the past and who have tried to explain their thoughts and fears while I demonstrated little or no understanding.

The imagination just does not prepare one for the experience.

Best of luck you'll be right mate.

Mike

[Sturdee]

...................I just have to wait.



Geoff, I know how you feel, nothing can prepare you for these kind of operations.

I'm sure you'll be in good hands and come through this well and don't worry how long your recovery takes, just concentrate on your recovery itself.

Good luck and my best wishes.


Peter.

[Big Shed]

Geoff, hope all goes well for you.

There is definitely no problem with only having one kidney.

My mother had a kidney removed as a child, went on to have 3 kids and lived to be 80.

Not that having kids would be on your agenda!