Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) Support Group

Hi LoBlue- your hubby needs to look around at the young kids that get cancer that they can do nothing for - kidney cancer is very curable if found early - his chances are GOOD! Hopefully it's a laproscopic surgery - the recovery is much quicker that way - stay ahead on the pain med and he'll probably be fine. LET HIM STAY IN THE HOSPITAL as long as possible and don't be scared to call on friends, neighbors and home care once you get him home. For me it was best to take pain meds with a meal or a least a couple of digestive cookies and a glass of milk. Take care and let us know how you are doing!

Hi, my name is Jackie and I am just about 3 weeks postop but still feel exhausted at times. I've also become very depressed and anxious for which i'm going on meds for, etc. My tumor was found incidentally as well having a CT scan for a muscle hematoma. My stomach hasn't been right either though....some intermittent nausea/bloating....maybe the new meds. I stopped the pain meds because they dragged me down. So wanting to move on from this!!

Hi,
In November of 07 I had a tumor removed from my right kidney using RF on Monday and on Friday they removed my entire left kidney do to very large turmor.
They said the cancer was contained and they got it all so I didn't need any radiation or chemo.
My only systom was blood in my urine which I noticed just twice and told my urologist. She did a bladder test and then a C/T scan.
Had I not noticed a very slight amount of blood I wouldn't have had any idea of the cancer.
I have had bloating and leg swelling ever since the surgrey. They have allowed me to use water pills to help with the leg swelling but don't want to address the stomach bloating. I am also tired all the time which I attrubute to the removal of the adreanal gland. They have tested and said my results are in the normal area but at the low side.
The Good news is I am alive and well even with leg swelling and a bigger belly.
I force myself to do things and once I start I am able to continue even with the tiredness, especially if the fish are biting.
We here on this board are for the most part blessed to still be here. I thank My Lord everyday for this gift of life. I plan on living for a lot more years and enjoying every moment.
God Bless
Don

Hi Poirier,
I went to the doctor with what I thought was horrible heartburn. A blood test and CT scan later the pain was identified as coming from blockage by a big gall stone. Accidentally a kidney tumor was discovered, it was unrelated to any pain I had. They told me most kidney tumors are foud this way. By the time they start causing symptoms you're in a later (and much more life threatening) stage. My mom had renal cancer as well, but in her case it was discovered by the time it had already spread (and turned out to be fatal).
Hope your recovery will go well!

My husband had no idea anything was wrong until he began urinating blood - no pain. He (being stubborn) waited until the next day before he would let me take him to the hospital. We thought kidney stones, though he'd never had them before. Wrong. The CT scan showed a tumor in his right kidney and a spot on his right lung. Both were removed in a single surgery a month later; he went on Sutent, then Nexavar, and now Afinitor - with success!

My father's kidney was found by accident as well. There were no symptoms period.