- Dec 4, 2011
- 327
Not that I am a big post whore, but thought I would share what's going on since I consider you all friends.
Last Thursday had some blood in the old urine. Also ohad a fluttering in my heart.
Friday went to family doctor. Was perscribed antibiotics for a unirary infection and scheduled an appt with cardiologist.
Friday night - Extreme (like worst I have ever felt) pain on my left side - Ambulance to ER, CAT scan.
So turns out apparently I have a fairly large tumor on or around my left kidney. I will be making an appointment to have it removed, and the doctor stated that this type of mass is 99% of the time cancerous.
THe CAT scan did not show a spread anywhere, but it was definately alarming. Cardiologist will deal with the heart A-Fib after the surgery (keeping it in check with medicaion now).
Yesterday I had the surgical consultation with my Urologist. What was to be a 30 minute meeting was about 90 minutes, but that is a good thing, as I got a lot of information.
The procedure will likely be scheduled in 3-6 weeks. There are a number of things which must happen first before the surgery can be done.
I need to get 2 tests. One is a bone scan, which is scheduled for next Wednesday the 3rd of October. The other is called a renal scan for split renal function, which is scheduled for This Friday the 28th. This test is to insure the remaining kidney is functioning correctly and can support the body after the surgery.
As for the surgery itself, it is called a Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy. It is a combination of an open surgery and Laparoscopic surgery. The incision will need to be large enough to remove the mass. They do not want to break it up due to the possibility of spreading any "bad stuff" (that is not a medical term). Due to the nature of the tumor, the surgery will remove both the mass, and the left kidney.
I also spoke to an Oncologist today because in the other Cat Scans there appeared to be a lymphoma in the area under the kidney. He ordered a biopsy on that to determine the status of it before the surgery. If needed, that can also be removed, but I don’t know if it would be done at the same time as the other procedure. There is also a chance that the CAT scan just reflected an inflammation, and it may be nothing.
The Urologist also noticed that my thyroid levels were strange, and thinks that this may be part of the cause of my A-Fib. He ordered blood work which I had completed today, so we will see if that turns up anything.
After the surgery, the typical hospital stay is 3-5 days, depending on how things heal. After that, I will be off of work for approximately 3 weeks.
I think I covered everything. I have to say that the Urologist’s office is top notch. The assistant to the doctor I have is named Judy. She was absolutely fantastic in coordinating it so I could get into the Oncologist today. She is unlike any medical office person I have ever seen, and was truly a blessing today with all of her assistance. She really cares about her patients, and was very comforting.
As updates arise, I will do my best to let you know.
Chris
Last Thursday had some blood in the old urine. Also ohad a fluttering in my heart.
Friday went to family doctor. Was perscribed antibiotics for a unirary infection and scheduled an appt with cardiologist.
Friday night - Extreme (like worst I have ever felt) pain on my left side - Ambulance to ER, CAT scan.
So turns out apparently I have a fairly large tumor on or around my left kidney. I will be making an appointment to have it removed, and the doctor stated that this type of mass is 99% of the time cancerous.
THe CAT scan did not show a spread anywhere, but it was definately alarming. Cardiologist will deal with the heart A-Fib after the surgery (keeping it in check with medicaion now).
Yesterday I had the surgical consultation with my Urologist. What was to be a 30 minute meeting was about 90 minutes, but that is a good thing, as I got a lot of information.
The procedure will likely be scheduled in 3-6 weeks. There are a number of things which must happen first before the surgery can be done.
I need to get 2 tests. One is a bone scan, which is scheduled for next Wednesday the 3rd of October. The other is called a renal scan for split renal function, which is scheduled for This Friday the 28th. This test is to insure the remaining kidney is functioning correctly and can support the body after the surgery.
As for the surgery itself, it is called a Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy. It is a combination of an open surgery and Laparoscopic surgery. The incision will need to be large enough to remove the mass. They do not want to break it up due to the possibility of spreading any "bad stuff" (that is not a medical term). Due to the nature of the tumor, the surgery will remove both the mass, and the left kidney.
I also spoke to an Oncologist today because in the other Cat Scans there appeared to be a lymphoma in the area under the kidney. He ordered a biopsy on that to determine the status of it before the surgery. If needed, that can also be removed, but I don’t know if it would be done at the same time as the other procedure. There is also a chance that the CAT scan just reflected an inflammation, and it may be nothing.
The Urologist also noticed that my thyroid levels were strange, and thinks that this may be part of the cause of my A-Fib. He ordered blood work which I had completed today, so we will see if that turns up anything.
After the surgery, the typical hospital stay is 3-5 days, depending on how things heal. After that, I will be off of work for approximately 3 weeks.
I think I covered everything. I have to say that the Urologist’s office is top notch. The assistant to the doctor I have is named Judy. She was absolutely fantastic in coordinating it so I could get into the Oncologist today. She is unlike any medical office person I have ever seen, and was truly a blessing today with all of her assistance. She really cares about her patients, and was very comforting.
As updates arise, I will do my best to let you know.
Chris
