Saturday 31 August 2013

Private or public?....


I know I'm often seen as an outgoing party person who is always part of a crowd, but I'm actually quite a private person when it comes to personal stuff, not because I'm embarrassed but, I think, because I doubt people will be interested. So if someone asks me about anything I'm happy to tell them, or if someone is telling me of a problem they have which I have had experience of then I will share all I know, but mostly I keep health issues and emotions to myself. Guess that's why my diaries have been important.

However, I'm going to share this here mainly because this is now my diary and as immediate family and friends already know, hopefully it won't offend anyone to learn my news by reading it here first and maybe, just maybe if anyone else is in the same situation we can compare notes!

Yesterday I was told I have a large tumour taking up most of the space in my right kidney and the whole kidney will be removed. The consultant said there is a 90% chance it's cancer. On the plus side it is totally contained and everywhere else is clear (lungs etc all checked) so the kidney will be removed by keyhole surgery within the next 30 days and there will be no need for any further treatment like chemo thank goodness.

Amazingly I'd had no symptoms at all !!!
It was pure chance that this was found now as I'd gone to my doctor with a really painful knee (which I've mentioned here before). Anyway knee seems to be cartilage wear and tear and I'm working with a physio for that, however, my doctor took the opportunity to send me for all my annual blood tests and to send me for an ultrasound to recheck on a tiny fatty tissue lump discovered on my kidney more than seven years ago - even that was discovered by chance while looking for something else. The ultrasound showed the original lump hadn't changed at all, but the radiologist said she could see a little something else but couldn't see what clearly, "although it's probably nothing I will send this report to your GP who will probably request a CT Scan just to make sure."

Sure enough soon after my GP rang to say she was requesting the CT Scan so I gave her my holiday dates. I'd told her we were back on Saturday 24th and when we got home the appointment was on the mat with our post for Tuesday 27th (Monday was a bank holiday). On Thursday a girl rang to say she needed to make me an appointment with the Urology Consultant and as luck would have it there'd been a cancellation for the next day. She offered me a choice of two times. Afterwards I said to Hubby "that's odd, either they had two cancellations or she needed me to come in quickly without worrying". He told me to stop over thinking everything lol.

Well what came next is up in the third paragraph. Immediately after that I had to get a GP at my surgery to change some of my regular meds and now its just a wait for a date to go in. I have to say I'm really emotionally calm about it all, well for now anyway!
.

8 comments:

Michelle said...

Oh my :-(. Hugs, love and thinking of you (all the family too). Xx

I am wondering about removing it by keyhole surgery! They must be smaller than I imagined or somehow become smaller.

Glad no chemo required and you'll be sorted quickly xx

MumB / @mumbosh said...

All hugs gratefully received Michelle thank you. The surgeon explained that it's quite a long op and nearly all done keyhole with the incision needed to extract said offending article is left to the last minute which reduces the risk of infection and reduces healing time. I think each kidney is about the size of a fist. xxx

Anonymous said...

Hharicot here but last post swallowed up. Will do a shorter comment this time sticking to the essentials, which are live and hugs x x dad had his last year and went well and hope same operation speedy recovery for you x

MumB / @mumbosh said...

Hi HH shame your non-essential words got swallowed and appreciate you giving it another go. I'm so pleased your dad's op and recovery went well, very reassuring thank you. xxx

Rachel Selby said...

I wish you a full and speedy recovery. xxx

MumB / @mumbosh said...

Many thanks Midlife Singlemum xx

Hannah said...

How amazing that they found it when there were no symptoms. I'm so pleased to read that it has not spread and that you're feeling calm about things. Wishing you a smooth surgery and a healthy future xx

MumB / @mumbosh said...

Thank you Hannah. Yes amazing that my poorly knee got me hobbling to the doctor when it did! xx