Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

hi , 1st post . is the healing time quicker if part of the kidney is removed, as opposed to all . i'm not sure as yet which one i'm in for

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: hampshire
Posts: 294

Hi Slide and welcome,

I would imagine healing is down to the type of operation i.e keyhole or full cut? I had the full cut and a whole kidney removed and healed really well and quickly. Others who have had keyhole have sometimes taken longer to recover. Though research says if it's keyhole then recovery can be quicker?

I guess we are all different, it depends also on how fit you are before the op. I tried to walk more each day and to eat healthier before my op. If you smoke ( I luckily don't) then try to give it up! I also took actimel drinks daily before and after the op, drank gallons ( well it seemed like gallons) of water to keep my kidneys flushed. Learnt to listen to my body and did what it said was o.k and rested when I'd had enough!

I also had mets in my remaining kidney but it didn't seem to stop or alter my healing process.

Good luck with your op I'm sure others on here have lots to add which will help.

kind regards Jackie.

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

thank you for your reply. i am diabetic , and have been told to most likely expect to have keyhole.

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

in the end i had open surgery and the whole right kidney removed
5weeks ago now , and i have a ten inch scar on my right side....
the healing has been good , i think -on the 4th week it seemed to jump forward and my sideways movement greatly increased....
I go to see a renal oncologist next week for the first time, and get to hear about my imediate future

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: hampshire
Posts: 294

Hi welcome back, glad you got through it all o.k and are healing nicely. Don't forget it takes a long time to heal inside even though the outer signs are good! Don't overstretch yourself as it's so easy to do.
Please update when you've seen the doctor on your follow up. I'm now awaiting results of my 2nd scan on Sutent I should know more next week!
Nerves jump in when waiting eh? but my 1st scan on sutent was so good I hope this will be too!

Take care,
Jackie.

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

thanks jackie , good luck on ya second scan
pete

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

got my results back , and my cancer was 5 x6 cms and was a Grade 3-(1 in 3 chance of coming back)....i'm off this morning to see dr fife to hear of my next step -how did ya results go jackie. b . My first post opp scan is on the 11th of jan ....i'm hoping to get back to kite boarding soon - god i miss that

Last edited by slide on 21-11-2009 at 05:09 PM

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: hampshire
Posts: 294

Hi Slide my results were all good thanks, lungs clear? had two mets in right lung. All other tumours shrunk one by 2cm. Sutent is working for me right now so I'm happy, good luck with your ongoing treatment and glad you are looking forward to returning to sports! Don't do it too soon though.
Jackie

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

i had an interesting day at oncology yesterday . i may have a chance to go on a Nexavar(sorafenib) tablet trial- dependant upon a scan i had today-basicly i had two small areas on my left lung that the consultants wern't sure on-a 4mm and a 5mm -possibly two nodules that normal peeps have or they could be secondries from my kidney cancer, and as my last scan was 12th of aug-i had a scan yesterday to check to see if these have grown - if these have grown then they secondries , and if not then i should be on the trial

Last edited by slide on 28-11-2009 at 09:11 AM

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: hampshire
Posts: 294

Hope it goes well for u, lots people are doing well on that drug too!
My lung mets? nodules? have disappeared on this last scan so don't know if they were cancer mets or not? they never seemed to move or grow on ct scans from outset.
It's all a mystery so we have to rely on our consultants. Even they don't know if all of these mets are cancer unless they do the biopsies and so many of them are reluctant to put us through it!


Keep us updated.
Jackie

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Registered: Mar 2007
Location: cheshire
Posts: 219

Hi Jackie, so pleased you got good results from your scan, you must be over the moon.
Everytime we have scans and get good results you feel like you can move on with your life till the next scan dont you.
SLIDE.
my tumour was 7cm and grade 3, what stage were you diagnosed at?
Julie Hill

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

its a no go on the drug treatment unfortunately because i have 2 small mets on the left lung , or thats what they think they are , so it will now be 3 monthly scans to watch and check for growth.
its a shame but at least i'm kiting again

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: hampshire
Posts: 294

Looking on the positive side at least you won't have side effects to deal with!
I guess the high winds we've got will help with your kite sport!
I'm now into 7th cycle of sutent, blood pressure is up again so back on tabs. thyroid is being sorted as it's also going up the creek without a paddle and my throat is sore, so Pete that goes to show how fortunate you are drug free.
Keep in touch with your scan results!
Take care,
Jackie

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

i had my 3 monthly scan last wk and , there is no growth so far...
it is one small met at the bottom of left lung and one small met in the middle of right lung - i go back in 3 wks to discuss the possibility of surgery to remove them .......i didn't know that was possible
the lower ones are easier to get apparantly , so the right one may be more of a problem , being in the middle.......my head is spinning on information....
RE;3wks later surgery is not possible yet as they are too small

Last edited by slide on 18-07-2010 at 07:08 PM

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: cambs/norfolk
Posts: 14

6 months and no growth - my fingers are crossed

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