CancerCompass message board discussion started by Honeybunny on 5/11/2005 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,2059,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I am soooo new. I lost my dad to Bladder Cancer Dec 3rd 2004. One month later mom became ill with a staph infection on her kidney. One month later Mom was dxed bilateral RCC. ON Tues last May 3 she had a complete Left nephrectomy incl adrenal and 14cm tumour. The surgeon said it was removed without the need to take any other organ. We (my brothers and sisters) are so gratful. Mom is home already spending only 6 days in hosp. She is 75 years young and amazing. All the dr's and ICU support were amazed. She came home on Monday. She was pumped and ready to go! But the last two days she has taken a turn. No infection, fever or problems with swelling. Eating well and walking about fine. But EXHASTED! She also seems quite blue to me, now unlike when she came home, is quite quiet, almost withdrawn. Is this normal? It seems to me that it might be as this was a BIG deal surgery. We didn't even know if she would pull through but she had to do it for herself so we supported her decision. We have no further word regarding the pathology or the surgery for that matter...other than a big thumbs up from the surgeon. I guess we now wait for 4 to 6 weeks to go back to see him. The other kidney has a 4mm tumour that the dr is not concerned with at the present. How and what do I do to help mom physically and mentally through this healing? She is a very, very determined woman and sometimes I think it makes things worse as she wants to will the fatigue and emotions away...and when she can't she gets very sad. How do I help her? Anything sound familiar? Thanks so much. HB Honeybunny Wed, 11 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT I hope that your mother is being seen by a doctor that is experienced in treating kidney cancer patients; many are not. Thre is an email support list specific to renal cell carcinoma; for more information see http://cancerguide.org/kofaq/ . If you join that list you will find others who have been in your mother's situation. To find a surgical urologist who is experienced in treating patients with kidney cancer, and/or an oncologist with experience in the medical treatment of renal cell carcinoma, call the Kidney Cancer Association at 800-850-9132 (some very good docs are not on their list). Trishpm Tue, 14 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT