Our stories are get similar , Tumor almost identical , mine was 2011. So far so good, but like you always heavy on my mind.
Annette

It is true that most people come to these forums as they need help, so it seems that there are a lot of troubles being reported. In my case, I have been recurrence free for 10 years, despite a pretty bad situation at first. It was very difficult for me to talk about my own success for some time, as it seemed that so many others were really struggling. Naturally I felt guilty to give good news!
I would be sure to continue annual CT scans with contrast, as even small tumors can have sent out their cells to metastasize or the near by area by have already been set up for mets. The guidelines that say not to worry after five years are now thought to be dated, and the real experts are calling for monitoring for over ten years. Since they can find the tumors sooner, as small sizes, thanks to the CTs and such, many of the rules have changed. While the staging says that a 7cm tumor--the size of a tennis ball--is considered small, most patients wouldn't agree! But that size tumor and one the size of a pea are all officially "small". In the next few days I will post a long article about this problem and the new recommendations on my blog at www.peggyRCC.wordpress. com. Also I suggest you find your older reports, check on the type of RCC, whether clear cell or papillary, as that can also give more info about monitoring schedules, as they can vary according to the type of kidney cancer.
peggyzuckerman@gmail.com

Hi had rt kidney removed due to a tumor that was 8inches wide 8 inches long and 4 inches deep. it was stage 2. back 2 yrs ago. 2012
.
last years check up showed left kidney clean and no other mets anywhere else in body
. this years mri my bun # wasn't right and no contrast this time just mri got call from urolisgist and turns out I have a 2 cm kidney stone that will be removed soon, just waiting for insurance to kick in any day now to have kidney stone removed. grrr but atleast it was only a kidney stone and not something worst. not that a kidney stone in your only kidney isn't serious just happy it want worst.
Tracey

Coming up on 5 year scans, so far all clear but still get anxiety around scan time.

Hi, I am trying to figure out what I have. I have pain in my right back area and right numb foot. Did you have any of these symptoms. How was yours found.

It's been six years since I was diagnosed and had a radical nephrectomy for Stage 2a, 7,5 cm tumor, Furman level 3, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. I just had my annual cancer screening and so far there is no sign of recurrence. To the best of my knowledge there is no cure for recurrent RCC. There are some drug combinations that can buy a median time of 26 months of progression free survival but there is no cure. The ten year survival rate for RCC is around 50%. I think ignoring the fact that RCC can come back and kill me is stupid so I am playing out the hand I've been dealt the best that I can.

The best way to survive is not to have to deal with recurrent RCC so the goal is to keep it from recurring. Here is the plan I am following.
1. I exercise a lot to keep my weight at BMI at 25. Staying in good, hard, physical shape is my best defense.
2. With only one kidney I'm on a protein and salt restricted diet so I do most of my own cooking.
3. To reduce stress, I retired at age 60 so now I live as stress free as possible.
4. Now that I am retired I get proper rest.
5. I keep up on my cancer screening and medical appointments and follow the instructions of my Mayo Clinic doctors.

So if the RCC comes back I know I've played out the hand that I have been dealt the best that I can. It's all I can do and anyway sooner or later something will kill me off since I know I'm not going to live forever. Meanwhile I enjoy life.

Good Luck to all

Here are links on the RCC survival rates
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/kidney-cancer/survival

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2007277-overview

Also don't take a proton pump inhibitor drug such as Nexium or Prilosec for acid reflux. There is now evidence that long term use of PPI drugs can damage the kidneys. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/857060

Hi, this month I am celebrating 21 years of being cancer free after my RCC! They took the entire kidney in 1996 and my best advice to anyone is to continue to see your oncologist as directed. I was scared at the cancer would return as well, and anxiety met me at every scan that has occurred. Such great advice listed from all who have written in above - keep up the good fight my friends!

They discovered my RCC in October, 2014 by accident resulting from a fall, and a CT scan following. I had an open partial nephrectomy ten days after the surgery repair on my broken arm.... The tumor was 5.5 cm. early stage, had not spread beyond the tumor margins. However it was a grade 4, so they have monitored me closely. I am still cancer free now, its been 2 1/2 yrs. So thankful! I have not had any treatments other than the tumor removal. I am also still very concerned with the possibility of recurrence. I gather this shadow is something that we will never be completely free of.... Theres just no way to be absolutely certain. I still have trouble dealing with feelings of fear of dying, and all the pain that comes with recurrence. Sometimes it has made me feel angry or bitter, sometimes I feel sad and despondent, crying easily, and somedays I even have a rebellious 'I don't care attitude' :( But I can't change anything about the future, I have to depend on the Lord, He is the Only One Who can change my outcome as He sees is best. It does not good to have negative thoughts, but they still seem to come from time to time. I have to learn to give them to the Lord each time they come, and not harbor them. The only thing I can change is what I do today, in the present. As a rule and as was mentioned above in someone's reply, I also try to continue living a heart healthy lifestyle as much as possible. Exercising helps keep my body in a healthy condition, as well as helps my frame of mind/attitude by releasing endorphins. I have an elliptical machine i enjoy using. I also eat no animal products, and eat whole plant foods as much as possible. I drink more water than I used to before cancer, that is still difficult for me i must confess! But I am trying hard!! :) I also quit my job, so I am home now, which has helped reduce my stress level. Of course now theres more stress about money! ha Never a win win!! I've had to prioritize my life choices to work around the new changes in my body. I can't just ignore what has happened, and theres no magic pill, to make it all go away... sure wish there was! Its hard work reorganizing your lifestyle and diet, and all the things that go with this horrible cancer, but theres no short cut that I can find... Living through this, as well as I possibly can for today, seems to be the best goal. Looking into the future is a novelty it seems now... maybe Im wrong, idk :) Having cancer certainly does force a person to take a good look at themselves and their life to see more clearly the things and the people we love in a very different way. I used to take everything so much for granted. I seem to 'cherish the moments' a lot more now :) I guess there really is something we can find thats good in 'almost' everything!! :) Prayers are with you in your cancer journey! and please pray for me as well, we are all in this together!

My husband had his rt kidney removed in 2006. The tumor was totally encapsulated in the kidney and no further treatment was required, except for the five year follow up. He complained over the year of his thoracic spine area hurting and had MRI's and CT's but nothing ever showed up. Last year they found RCC on two thoracic vertebra. If something hurts, have it checked, and checked again if you are still concerned. It's been one year since his stage 4 diagnosis and he's doing well but with his complaints of pain, starting two years from his kidney removal, we wish we had pushed harder for more follow up.