Warning this is a bit lengthy
On the 22nd of July I got up for work as usual went to the loo and passed a lot of blood.I went to my GP who referred me for a CT scan I was very scared due to my mum having had kidney cancer and following removal of her kidney died soon after as the cancer had spread.My CT scan date came through very quick it was for the 26th of July.On the 28th I received a phone call asking if I could come in to see the Consultant on the 29th of course I said yes.Alarm bells started to ring I did not mention any off this to my family as didn't want to worry them.I went to the appointment by myself I asked the receptionist where I should go and she pointed me to the waiting are.I was the only female in the waiting area and the men were discussing their prostate problems {I know I shouldnt be listing to other peoples conversations but waiting rooms are pretty boring}I thought I have not got one of those so went back to reception to check I was in the right place she assured me I was. I was called to see the consultant on entering the room I saw the computer screen on it was a picture of a perfect kidney on the right side but on the left was a thing that looked like a deformed cauliflower I said my God it is huge and ugly the consultant said it is not that big {it turned out to be 9.5cm big in my book}I then sat down he explained that it is a cancer and it appeared the lymph nodes were clear but I would have to have my kidney removed I asked when he said on Monday I said which Monday he said this Monday {sorry about the he said she said}from here was a world wind of blood tests ECG and pre op assessment at the end they arranged for a taxi to take me home as I had gone by myself on the bus.I had to tell my family my 2 daughters where wonderful and still are so were my friends who incidentally have either had or had a loved one with cancer.Husband on the other hand did not say much {he left me when I came out of hospital could not cope with cancer but thats another story} The next day off to buy new jim jams and of course underwear for going into hospital.The op went well 5 and a half hours later the deformed cauliflower was out and I can highly recommend the epidural and copious amounts of oromorp I did not have any pain just some discomfort and everyone said I did not look as if I had had an operation I did have one worrying moment when I woke up I felt round to my side and no dressing so thought they had not done anything and perhaps I was dreaming but then felt my stomach and was all padded up I then thought yes the consultant did the tummy tuck I asked him for to do while he was in there so to speak but the nurse dashed my hopes and said he had removed my kidney via the front .So home I went to recover.My follow up appointment came and I was told that the cancer was grade 2 and lymph nodes clear I was so relieved then the consultant had what I call a columbo moment he said did anyone mention you have a nodule on your lung ERR NO he said not to worry we will keep an eye on it and scan again in December.Since I have been so worried however I remembered that in the 1970s I was told I had a nodule on my lung but age had impaired my memory so went to GP who said they would try to find my old paper records to see if it was the same.For the last 2 months I have waited for my paper records to turn up well yesterday they did.My Gp had trawled through them and found that the nodule had been there since 1974 and on other x rays in the 1980s and it was still the same size and strangely it was her father who had done the x ray report I gave her the biggest hug and thanked her .I came out of the surgery humming I'm walking on sunshine woo hoo and don't it feel good .I sent texts to my daughters and friends whilst walking home.I realise how lucky I am and I know cancer can come back but for now it is so good to have some good news.
