Don't Know What To Expect

My husband was in a car accident in November and almost didn't make it.  He had a spleenectomy and major internal bleeding, anyway he had to have many tests done because of complications and in one of the tests they discovered a mass on one of his kidneys.  After having to wait 2 months because of complications from the accident he had the mri and then a biopsy.  They found a tumor just over 2 cm and it is cancer.  They sent him for some kind of lung x rays and an xray to check his other kidney.  He goes back to the urologist next Wednesday for the results and I guess to set up the surgery.  They are hoping to just take the tumor out, but it is located at a bad place and there is a good chance they will take the kidney. 

I'm just looking for some support and any info you can give me.  This is all so scary and we don't know what to expect.  We were in shock last week when the Dr. said it was cancer, they said after the mri it didn't look like cancer and the Dr who did the biopsy said not to worry too much it looked prettty good, not bleeding and not much fluid.  Then we went to the urologist last week expecting this whole nightmare to be over, and find out its really just beginning.  We will be asking lots of questions at his appointment next week.  We are trying to take his car accident  where we almost lost him and think maybe it will really save him because they found this horrible disease.  Sometimes I am so afraid though and thought a place like this may help.  Sorry for all the rambling, just needed to get it out.  Thank you.

 Hi Sher: My friend's husband Ben just had a similar experience, Kidney stones found kidney cancer. Because at this stage the cancer is usually encapsulated , they can remove the kidney successfully and nothing further is needed. my email is being sent on a private reply if you want to contact them . Ben is doing great no complications, no sign cancer  6 months ago..mms

On 2/20/2008 sher3 wrote:

My husband was in a car accident in November and almost didn't make it.  He had a spleenectomy and major internal bleeding, anyway he had to have many tests done because of complications and in one of the tests they discovered a mass on one of his kidneys.  After having to wait 2 months because of complications from the accident he had the mri and then a biopsy.  They found a tumor just over 2 cm and it is cancer.  They sent him for some kind of lung x rays and an xray to check his other kidney.  He goes back to the urologist next Wednesday for the results and I guess to set up the surgery.  They are hoping to just take the tumor out, but it is located at a bad place and there is a good chance they will take the kidney. 

I'm just looking for some support and any info you can give me.  This is all so scary and we don't know what to expect.  We were in shock last week when the Dr. said it was cancer, they said after the mri it didn't look like cancer and the Dr who did the biopsy said not to worry too much it looked prettty good, not bleeding and not much fluid.  Then we went to the urologist last week expecting this whole nightmare to be over, and find out its really just beginning.  We will be asking lots of questions at his appointment next week.  We are trying to take his car accident  where we almost lost him and think maybe it will really save him because they found this horrible disease.  Sometimes I am so afraid though and thought a place like this may help.  Sorry for all the rambling, just needed to get it out.  Thank you.

On 2/20/2008 sher3 wrote:

My husband was in a car accident in November and almost didn't make it.  He had a spleenectomy and major internal bleeding, anyway he had to have many tests done because of complications and in one of the tests they discovered a mass on one of his kidneys.  After having to wait 2 months because of complications from the accident he had the mri and then a biopsy.  They found a tumor just over 2 cm and it is cancer.  They sent him for some kind of lung x rays and an xray to check his other kidney.  He goes back to the urologist next Wednesday for the results and I guess to set up the surgery.  They are hoping to just take the tumor out, but it is located at a bad place and there is a good chance they will take the kidney. 

I'm just looking for some support and any info you can give me.  This is all so scary and we don't know what to expect.  We were in shock last week when the Dr. said it was cancer, they said after the mri it didn't look like cancer and the Dr who did the biopsy said not to worry too much it looked prettty good, not bleeding and not much fluid.  Then we went to the urologist last week expecting this whole nightmare to be over, and find out its really just beginning.  We will be asking lots of questions at his appointment next week.  We are trying to take his car accident  where we almost lost him and think maybe it will really save him because they found this horrible disease.  Sometimes I am so afraid though and thought a place like this may help.  Sorry for all the rambling, just needed to get it out.  Thank you.

Things happen for a reason.Three years ago we found out,my husband has kidney cancer,had his rigth kidney.Anyway,the way we found out,is cause our grandson wanted for his grandpa to play football,but my husband said NO cause he had boots on.Well our grandson{he was ten} call him man and my husband said i'll show you who is old, on the frist catch my husband slip and fell.after that he got a sharp pain on his side and that nite we had to go to the E.R.He didn't come home that nite.three weeks later he came home.Our grandson kept blaming himself,but we told him he save his grandpa's life.cause we would have not know until it was to late.Good luck! and I will keep you'll in our prayers.Keep in touch.My husband is 50.

 Rally 53

On 2/20/2008 sher3 wrote:

My husband was in a car accident in November and almost didn't make it.  He had a spleenectomy and major internal bleeding, anyway he had to have many tests done because of complications and in one of the tests they discovered a mass on one of his kidneys.  After having to wait 2 months because of complications from the accident he had the mri and then a biopsy.  They found a tumor just over 2 cm and it is cancer.  They sent him for some kind of lung x rays and an xray to check his other kidney.  He goes back to the urologist next Wednesday for the results and I guess to set up the surgery.  They are hoping to just take the tumor out, but it is located at a bad place and there is a good chance they will take the kidney. 

I'm just looking for some support and any info you can give me.  This is all so scary and we don't know what to expect.  We were in shock last week when the Dr. said it was cancer, they said after the mri it didn't look like cancer and the Dr who did the biopsy said not to worry too much it looked prettty good, not bleeding and not much fluid.  Then we went to the urologist last week expecting this whole nightmare to be over, and find out its really just beginning.  We will be asking lots of questions at his appointment next week.  We are trying to take his car accident  where we almost lost him and think maybe it will really save him because they found this horrible disease.  Sometimes I am so afraid though and thought a place like this may help.  Sorry for all the rambling, just needed to get it out.  Thank you.

A person can have a normal life with just one kidney. I had one removed over 12 years ago and I have been able to scuba dive, ski, etc. with no physical restrictions.

Don't be afraid to get a second opinion on the surgery. Sometimes you need to remove the entire kidney, sometimes just a part. You don't say where you live, but see an oncologist who is knowledgeable and affiliated with a major cancer center such as UCLA, MAYO, Cleveland Clinic etc. There are many excellent centers. You want the best care.

There are several promising drugs that can treat kidney cancer. There is a difference of opinion, however, as to whether drug therapy should be used if there is no spread beyond the encapsulated kidney. The concern is that even if no metatasis is found, there may still be cancer cells remaining that are not detectable. These may or may not be destroyed by the body's immune system. Make sure you get answers to all your questions.

The pathology is very important to determine the type of kidney cancer. The type is necessary to determine the best therapy. Insurance companies will pay for a second pathology opinion.

  I know you are overwhelmed, but take a breath and make sure you get as much information as you can so you both can make the best choices.

T 

Just wanted to say I will keep your husband and you in my prayers.

I had my left kidney removed in December '06.  I didn't know there was anything wrong until I got a pain in my back when I tried to go to sleep.  My husband took me to the hospital and they discovered a tumor and it was cancerous.  I thought they were only going to take the tumor but they had to take the kidney too.  I feel good and all my scans so far are good. 

As a side note I had thyroid cancer too.  I had my thyroid removed in September '06.  They are not related so neither have spread.

Please let us know how he is doing....May God Bless!

I had almost similar experience. I fell on ice in December, got x-ray for my back pain, three weeks later I was sitting in a doctor's office getting a cancer diagnosis. Two cm is tiny! It doesn't seem like it. My tumor was 4.5 cm and that is considered early stage 1.

I thought I would lose the whole kidney besause of location, but after consulting with other surgeons in his office my dr decided they could save it especially since I was so young. (43)

Had the surgery 2/4/08 still having a long slow recovery but dr is confident cancer is gone and I still have 2 kidneys.

My prognosis is excellent dr said chance of normal life expectancy is over 90%.

Every one says I fell for a reason, I just thank goodness I had a radiologist that took his time reading a back x-ray. 

My kidney cancer was found by accident too, about 4.5 cm and the pathologist would not say what stage, but scaled it 3-4 on the Furman (?), meaning, I believe, very aggressive.  Kidney was removed 30 days after finding it.  Apparently no "margins" broken (suspect that is good) and all is hopeful, and they do believe it was contained. First MRI follow up is next month and very, very nervous. 

Was told by the surgeon at MAYO if it comes back, lungs, liver and bones are the most likely areas.  Of course now I'm feeling everything, every little pain, bump, etc. . . . it's a mind game and sometimes I win, other times stupid thoughts dominate.  Haven't solved that problem yet.

 The best to you