Saying hello

Hi Lindihop.  I'm sorry to hear your news.  You're not alone in your current feelings as plenty on here will tell you.  In my case, I went for an Ultrasound scan for indigestion and they found a large growth in my left kidney which is almost certainly cancerous.  Had my CT scan today with results on Thursday.  You may well feel that everything is progressing slowly during this initial investigation phase.  It's the most testing time I believe.  Reading on here and other specialist sites, it appears Kidney cancer is very treatable or even curable in many cases.  There appear to be a wide range of successful treatments and surgical options.  My advice would be to concentrate on what you *actually know* for sure at this stage.  I wouldn't try to guess the future or imagine what-if scenarios.  Your emotions are completely natural, I'm going through the same, but try to keep thoughts to the here and now.  The outcome may be a lot better than you are currently fearing.  Hope that is of some comfort. Chris.

Hi lindihop,

sorry to hear your news. Chris is right about concentrating on what you actually know.  One of my best friends told me not to go down the rabbit holes of what if…………..

This being in limbo is awful and I think the worst part. Once you receive the treatment plan things start to feel more under control. …….I do remember though that one day waiting can feel like three…. 

Take care and. Big hug to you and your husband x

Hi, sorry to hear your news.  Right now is the worst it will be, because it's all unknown and there's no treatment plan.  You might need a biopsy so they know what type of cancer it is.  Once that's known they'll recommend some options for treatment, probably immunotherapy.  The treatment has moved on a lot these days from "try a bit of radio therapy" and it's definitely not all doom and gloom.  The worst bit right now is the waiting and 1st December isn't too far away.    Everyone is different with how they react to treatment.  Even the same treatment on the same cancer can differ in response between two people.  Once you get started on treatment you'll start to feel a bit better about it.  But be kind to yourself and give yourself a lot of time to come to terms with it yourself before you start advising too many friends and family.  Let us know how you get on, we've all been there before.   

Dear CM1961, thank you for your very positive and encouraging response. As you say it is early days and jumping to various "what if" scenarios etc  certainly won't help. We have a long journey ahead but will try and stay in the "here and now". 

No doubt this won't be my last post, I think I am going to need the support of others as time moves on. Again thank you.....Linda

Hi Mmum, thanks for your kind words of encouragement. Yes it is very early days and there is a long road to travel. I am not the most patient of people, think I was hiding  behind a door when patience was being divvied out. Am going to have to rein in cos NHS is a lumbering beast and not conducive to "want it done now" folks like me!  Will keep all posted.

Hi Jules, many thanks for your response. Rabbit holes are opening up all over the place just now,  but trying hard to keep focused on the here and now. Terry is still "rabbit in the headlights"  and waiting around for plans to be made as to his way forward re treatment and said treatment being started is not easy. Cheers for now and thanks again.

Hi there.  Hubby saw a urology consultant this morning. We  both viewed the ct scan that was taken and a large cyst was plainly visible at the bottom off his left kidney. However the consultant did not seem too concerned about that, what she is most taken with is an area of "something " unknown below his belly button and to the right of the kidney cyst. Long story short he is to have a biopsy done in January to see what type of cells they are and what they are doing. Waiting again. Terry felt a tad disheartened in that he has to maintain his regime of strong painkillers, something he is  very alien to taking.  Ended up in A&E night before last due to extreme pain. Gp changed his meds so fingers crossed they help some.

Hi Lindihop.  So the CT Scan on the kidney sounds like good news.  Apparently, 50% of middle age / senior people gave kidney cysts.  Some are simple fluid filled sacks on the outside of the kidney.  They can appear very large (larger than a golf ball) but if they have no unusual internal structures and divisions, don't have thickened walls and there's no calcification inside then they are not cancerous. Probably why your consultant isn't concerned about this cyst.  Hope all goes well for the next stage of the investigation.  Just keep dealing with what you actually know, which for the kidney cyst sounds like good news.

To CM1961...thanks  for those encouraging words. Just have to wait I guess and that is the hardest part as well as watching someone who is your world being in pain and there is nothing you can do to make it better. 

An update. After 3 weeks of pain and disorientation the love of my life lost the battle and he died on 11 January. I can't take it in at all. I can't cry or lose it because I have  so much to do. We have no family, it was just us, just we two. Friends are kind and sympathetic but they have family and their own lives, and their are things I have to do on my own. Everything I do from now on will be on my own.