Pookie's Update

• by Pookie
• 2013-01-15 01:01:00
• General Posting
• 1073 views
• 14 comments

Hi Everyone,

I had every intention several weeks ago (and even wrote about it on here) about getting back on here full time - but I couldn't figure out for the life of me why I was feeling sooooooooo badly...now I know....

I was just diagnosed with kidney cancer.

My new family doctor, (who I had just met with only twice in December), had a hunch and got right on it. - I was having my ultrasound on December 24th, then that lead to a CT Scan on January 3rd which confirmed it. They caught it early - I'm in Stage One. It's in my left kidney and when I have surgery they will only be taking out the cancer (which is already one inch in size); leaving me with 2 full functioning kidneys.

I am not upset or even worried that I have cancer because I know that this type of cancer is very easy to take care of. What I am upset with and frustrated with is: here I go (yet again) facing another medical issue....when will it ever stop???? For those of you who know me I've had medical issue after medical issue ever since receiving my pacemaker back in November of 2004...so it's been a very long battle for me.

The bad news is - the surgeon told me I have to wait until May for my operation!!!!!!!! I live in Canada and the wait times are horrendous. He will try it laproscopically (???) but told me don't be surprised if I awake with the full incision because the cancer is located in the superior lobe of the kidney (top part) and he said it may be tricky to get at.

A lot of people are asking me why he doesn't just take the entire kidney because one can survive just fine with only one, but this is what they apparently do because my cancer is not affecting (or is it effecting?) the functioning of the kidney.

I think I'm gonna go NUTS waiting until May, so today I called the surgeon's office, but had to leave a message (they will return my call within 48 hrs) - I want to see if they have a cancellation list for surgery.

The surgeon also did explain that he wants an "all clear" from my Cardiologist so I got that all set up. I'm having my pacemaker interrogated on January 28th and I'm having my yearly echo for my left ventricle noncompaction to check my ejection fraction on February 1st. My ejection fraction has always been between 60 and 64% which is excellent.

So, here's hoping I get my surgery before May!!!!!!!!!

Take care everyone and I'll try to pop in on the days that I'm not totally exhausted. I've also been battling the flu and a head & chest cold for the past 16 days. Good grief. What a way to start off 2013, eh?

I see that I have quite a few private messages waiting for me - I promise I will answer every one in the next few days:)

Pookie