Hi guys, so to introduce myself. I'm 48, a mother to two teenagers and have found out I have kidney cancer following a CT scan for something else. I have a further CT scan tomorrow covering chest, abdomen and pelvis with enhanced renal imaging, but all without contrast dye as I had an allergic reaction to it last time, this will determine whether I need a partial or full nephrectomy within the next month. I just hope they can see everything without the dye.
I tell everybody its fine, it's just an operation and I'm cured no chemo needed! But in reality I have so many questions and thoughts;
what if they find more / how long will I be in hospital / how long is surgical recovery / will the timescales be different if it's a partial or full removal / are there any long term changes to life with one kidney?
Well that all just fell out. Thank you for reading. I know reading your posts today has helped me feel 'not alone'
Hi Jules please don't worry you are not alone, as a lot of the stories of people's experiences are very similar. I too found out that I had a growth on my kidney after I had appendicitis which was removed by keyhole surgery. Trying to recover from that the consultant told me by the way we found something else. This normally happens with Kidney cancer as otherwise it would have had a party.
Due to circumstances I was monitored for a year with CT scans growth stable not a problem the surgeon talked it through with me and we both decided best course of action would be removal of growth and a partial nephrectomy.
Same as you they started with keyhole surgery but it became evident that I needed a total nephrectomy requiring open surgery it had a party and luckily for me it hadn't spread. I don't want to worry you as this is my experience and from speaking to a lot of people who have been through this everyone's journey is different.
So after a rather long operation and lots of drugs take everything that is offered do not hesitate or be a martyr just say yes as it will help.
In light of your circumstances you can't control what will happen but stay positive your family will be supporting you and yes you will have a cry ( as a 55 old man I can definitely say I crying helped me release some emotions )
Please remember that this is a big operation and it will take time to recover but listen to the surgeon and nurses. I had my operation in September and my recovery was within the timescale.
I have a lovely scar which I call my Shark bite 
as well as the scars from the keyhole I understand that not everyone will want to show them off but I class them as a badge of honour as I won a battle.
Hopefully you have been given a Macillian nurse mine was a superstar and like you said this forum help's greatly also the helpline as you some times need that interaction with a voice.
Sorry for the long post but don't be afriad we are all wishing you good luck get some rest try not to worry as like you said you'll be asleep.
Living with one kidney for me is fine I know for a fact my lifestyle helps so plenty of fluids and rest and listen to your body it will tell you that it's time for a rest and slowly you will get stronger and back to normal what ever that is.
Family support will help greatly and don't be afriad to ask I know that I struggled with that as I have also been independent but my wife was a superstar as we went through this process together but it was hard at times.
Hope this helps I will be thinking about you and also Delroo and everyone else in this situation as it's more common than a lot of people realise.
So stay positive and stay safe.
Good luck hope it all goes well.
Keep us all updated but from experience don't post anything while on the drugs 
I had a lot of explaining to do and it was also gibberish.
Fingers crossed 
and best regards
Mike
