Kidney removed

Dear ,

I'm so sorry that you are experiencing pain so long after your operation.  It sounds like you are also going through a really bad time over the past year and that must be made even tougher by the current restrictions on socialising.

I have no idea why you are still experiencing pain after so many months.  I know that in the past some people have felt pain as a consequence of the scarring tightening up and sometimes tissue growth pulls and twists things out of shape internally leaving pressure and pain as a consequence.  Hopefully the ultra sound will reveal whatever the issue is and it will be easily resolved.

I would be really helpful if you could put a few details in your profile as I find myself with loads of questions.  If you click on your username image at the top right of the page it will give you a drop down menu, click on "profile" and when you get to your profile there is an "edit profile" button.  This will allow you to give a few details of yourself and it can be edited as often as you want.  If you click on any members username you will be taken to their profile and can see what they have put.  Some such as myself put lots of information whilst others only put a few details but it is up to you.

Some of the questions that were running through my head were about the surgery you had, was it open or keyhole?  Are you also due a CT scan as this will show more than an ultrasound and I thought was routine after a nephrectomy? I was also wondering what support you have available and how you and your sister are coping?  With regards to your sister Stage 4 can mean many different things depending upon the circumstances.  Stage 4 in kidney cancer no longer always means terminal as in most cases as treatments are available so it is now often incurable.  I am now six years after being advised I was stage 4 and am still on my first line treatment.

Do not forget that you can still go to your GP to see if they can offer you some support.  This can be just by talking, through medication or referring you onto other people or organisations for support.  If you haven't already done so the Macmillan helpline on 0808 808 00 00.  They can offer you emotional support and practical advice in areas such as your employment rights and finances and might also be really useful for your sister as well.

It is bound to be scary in your current situation.  When I was first diagnosed I was concerned that every twinge or pain was a recurrence or spread of my cancer.  I suffered a sore throat and blocked nose for about a week before thinking that it might be a cold and resolving my symptoms with a hot lemon medication.  Even when my cancer had spread I found that the worry was worse than the reality.  I was convinced I was going to die within months but I am still here and relatively healthy six hears later.  I hope that once you have had your scan, know what is causing your pain and have a plan to move forward then you will feel much better about it.

Please let us know how you get on with your scan and in the meantime look after yourself,

love and hugs,

Gragon x

Thank you so much that's put my mind at rest a bit x regards princess 380