should i be worried - diagnosed on friday with a tumour on my kidney - only 38

Hi Ben,

I had my right kidney removed in December 2008  via keyhole surgery.  My friend had her left kidney removed in February 2009 also by keyhole. The difference between us was amazing.  We were both in hospital for about a week but whereas she was up and about more or less immediately (and she is ten years older than me!) it took me three months of recovery before I could go back to work, so everybody is different.  My sister had a tumour the size of a melon on her left kidney so she had to have 'the big slice'.  She was off work for 6 months as she works as a carer and couldn't do heavy lifting and she has now had the all clear after over 5 years.

Don't worry too much.  Kidney cancers are very slow growing and there is every chance that yours hasn't spread.  Your consultant can reassure you on that point.  As I have said the recovery is different for everyone but not too painful.  Don't forget that although you may only have a few small op sites you will still have had deep abdominal surgery so take it easy. Neither my friend, my sister nor myself had any drugs afterwards except painkillers for a few days.  

I was told that the right kidney is more of a problem to operate on because the liver is on that side and has to be held out of the way during the op.  I had 7 op sites whereas my friend had only 3.

I hope this info is of help.  Please don't worry about it.  You will be fine!

Best wishes from Maureen.

thanks maureen - i am in a void at the moment and just dont know what to expect - if it hasnt spread i am lucky and feel ok to deal with it - if it has i just dont know how i will react

i appreciate the time you have taken to respond, i am suprised by how comforatimg other peoples words are

thank you

regards

ben

Hello Ben!  My son has a tumor in his left kidney and before he started chemo in February this year it was 20 cm big.  I can imagine the intense fear you're going through.  My husband and I experienced that for a month while our son was being diagnosed and we had no idea what was happening.  I felt that our world turned upside down almost overnight.  Our thoughts were about what would happen to him? would he live? can he be treated? he's only 18...

Since his diagnosis, he has had 3 sessions of chemo and has been responding well.  The last time he had an ultrasound, the tumor was down to 10 cm. They will be evaluating him for surgery soon.

Do try to take it one step at a time because negative thoughts can be overwhelming.  Also, each case is different so it's best to wait for what your doctor says.  I think you're lucky that you found out about this tumor while it's still small.

All the best,

Rachel

hi my name is Jill, was diagnosed in Feb this year, since then have had to have radical surgery taking out a good margin around my right kidney, taking some fatty liver tissue and lung tissue and adrenal gland- altho had big surgery in intensive care 2 days, was out at the end of the week in tesco's going shopping (obviously just walking-no heavy stuff) but felt that well! But you have to think positive (say's me who's been put on prozac!) I to have 4 children some still at school, I'm in my mid 40's, and worse of all this type of cancer normally likes people over 60 who smoke, male, and have high blood pressure, obese, and I'm none of these!! My oncologist reckons mine was inthe process of being made 20yrs ago.  I started on chemo for my grade 4 cancer - yes you guessed mine spread to the lymphs in my neck.  had no symptoms apart from a slight lump in neck! Was on Avastin chemo and interferon injections which shrunk my tumours, but a month after it i developed something called a 'hypertensive crisis' only 1/100 people get it (trust me) so it was stopped, but kidney cancer is being researched a lot, so always new stuff coming out. Keep positive!!! and good luck

Jilly x

again thank you for your kind words> i am waiting at home for tomorrow to come. it seem strange waiting for news that at best will result in an operation...i have already decided to make this drama a positive experience in my life. Iam in the process of launching new business in fund management that concentrates on renewable energy. I had just raised the funds and hired a team of 12 to build out the business- having this cancer makes me more aware that the clock is ticking in all our lives and when i am better i am resolved to really pushing the business to make a change in the world for the next generation. I have let some of my board know my situation but am keeping the news from others until i really know the prognosis. So cancer may be bad, even the word sounds bad, so harsh, but i think if i focus on the positives i will overcome this -

on a more personal level i was just begiinning to think about getting fit before i reached 40, well i now have the impetus to do this, I expect to be fit for summer and to look and feel like i did 10 years ago.

I am sitting here with my youngest child looking and smiling at me, it makes me angry that i have this, but determined to be around for many years to come...

thank you all

ben