Tuesday, June 22, 2010
I found out that I have kidney cancer this week. It was a shock to the system, to say the least. I'm a fighter and a survivor. On this blog I will post my progress, disappointments, fears and faith. I will beat this thing. God willing by this time next year the term kidney cancer will not longer be in my vocabulary.
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I prayed for you again this morning...and thanked God that you found out NOW!!! and asked Him to heal you!!!...Erric and I will continue to pray for your healing and peace... and if you need anything else, please let me know...
ReplyDeleteI couldn't wait until next Tuesday to see the kidney doc. I'm seeing his PA on Friday. My OB/GYN said he didn't notice anything unusual last July when he did my hysterectomy. I'm wondering if what they might be seeing is scar tissue from that surgery. Wouldn't that be a blessing? Even if I still had to lose the kidney, at least it would not be cancer.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have a surgery date...Wednesday, July 14. They will remove my right kidney and the cancer.
ReplyDeleteOne concern they have right now is that one of the incisions from my appendecotomy may be infected. This is a result of the seatbelt impact from the young lady running into the back of me. I'm on antibiotics. Let's pray this thing clears up and does not delay surgery.
Seventeen days until surgery day. The peace that I have had has been nothing short of the work of God. I'm normally a very anxious "what if game" player. If I sit here long enough I can come up with some "what ifs" to worry about. But they are not first and foremost on my mind. The infection is much better on my appendectomy wound. I'm off all pain meds. I know that because I have my old aches and pains back too. I have 17 days to get my things in order. Recovery will take a while. Not looking forward to that. But in 18 days I should be cancer free.
ReplyDeleteSixteen days until surgery and now I have an infection in one of the appendectomy incisions. This may delay surgery. I'll see the kidney surgeon tomorrow to get his opinion. I know God's timing is perfect, I just wish I knew what was on His calendar so I can syncronize with him.
ReplyDeleteFifteen days to go and we may have to postpone. Having some issues with infection of one of the incisions from the appendectomy. In quite a bit of pain. I hope we don't have to postpone but at the same time I would like a little bit of time without pain.
ReplyDeleteI was at the ER again last night. I have an infection, which was most likely caused by the seatbelt when it impacted my abdomen during the bumper thumper we had last Wednesday. I was the worst pain I'd ever experienced and my incision was bleeding. The did another CT scan (that's 3 in 12 days, I'm surprised I don't glow in the dark from all that radiation). They put me on IV antibiotics and sent me home with a prescription. I do feel much better.
ReplyDeleteThis may postpone my kidney surgery, scheduled for July 14. The kidney doc said there is no reason to rush into surgery. This tumor has been on my kidney "for several years." If I can't do it on the 14th, I may wait until the middle of August. Sam starts school on Wednesday the 11th. That would be a bad day. He only does surgery on Wednesdays. So I may opt for the 18th. That would give Sam time to settle into her new schedule. The kidney doc said the only reason we would do it ASAP is for emotional reasons. There's no medical reason that the kidney would need to be removed right away. Oh, the dilema. Please keep us in prayer as we ponder what to do. Thanks
Rhonda
Well, the antibiotic does not seem to be helping. I have to go for a recheck tomorrow, but since all of the medical offices are closed for the holiday, I have to go back to the ER. I'm tired of hurting. I've all but given up on the idea of having the kidney surgery this month. Now I'm just focusing on getting over this infection and feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI think I've turned a corner today. I'm off the pain meds. I've switched the antibiotic to around the clock instead trying to fit four pills into daytime hours. I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. And Sam is on her way home from her week-long camp. Just talked to her on the phone. I didn't realize how much I missed her.
ReplyDeleteI feel even better today. There's almost no pain now. I hope I can go to church tomorrow and hear Sam and Shannon do special music. Maybe if I'm really good today and rest alot I will be up to going.
ReplyDeleteI went in for a recheck today on the infection. Doc said it's looking good. Planned to have the kidney removed on August 18th, but the surgeon wants another surgeon to assist and he's not available on the 18th so we bumped to to the 25th. Right now I don't feel nervous at all. I'm sure when it comes closer to the surgery date I'll get nervous. I'm a bit nervous about leaving this tumor in for more than a month longer. But the doctor said it's very slow growing and completely incapusulated and the risk of spreading is slim to none. I've had this thing for a few years so what difference will a few more weeks make, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are healing emotionally and physically and that the Doctors are on top of it..I can imagine how much of a shock it was for you to find out about the cancer...I've been lifting you up every morning to the Father, that He would comfort you as He heals You with His Presence and Peace. (also, thanks for reminding me where this blog is...I'm still learning the ins and outs of FB)...
ReplyDeleteNew surgery date: August 25th. My surgeon wants his partner to assist with the surgery and the partner was not available on the 18th. I had someone come in and clean my house yesterday. That's the first time I've ever hired someone to do that. It feels so good to have a clean house. She's going to come in every other week to clean until I recover from the next surgery. That's one less thing to worry about.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I forget that I have a tumor. Then I remember and I get nervous for a moment. It seems like August 25th is such a long time away. But we've got so many things planned between now and then. I can keep my mind busy. Having someone come in to clean house on occasion will be helpful. I know God's timing is perfect so I'm going to be patient and not obsess over this.
ReplyDeleteWell, I would not have been ready to have surgery tomorrow. I'm still trying to get my strength back from the appendectomy, car accident and infection. August 25th seems like a long way away, but I know it will come soon enough. I'm just trying to keep my mind busy so I don't have think about the fact that I'm walking around with a tumor on my kidney and what I'm going to have to go through to get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteI've been off my antibiotic for a week and I'm almost certain that the infection is back. I must call the doc tomorrow to find out what we do now. Must get better before surgery.
ReplyDeleteWent to see the nurse today. She doesn't think that I still have an infection. She believes that the pain I am experiencing stems from the car accident. She said things got pretty "scrambled" in there and it's going to take a while before it all clears up. That's good news.
ReplyDeleteI've been googling things like "kidney surgery recovery" to see what I'm in store for. Some surgeries can be done laproscopically. Not mine, however. The tumor is too big. They will have to shave part of my rib cage away to get to it. Doc said I will feel like I have broken ribs when I wake up. Now that's something to look forward to.
Since I lost blogged here we had a mini tornado, which threw out our internet. Then went on vacation for a week. Got to see Phanom of the Opera in Vegas. Came home and still had no internet. The last couple of weeks have been challenging. I've changed my diet a bit...no sugar or sugar substitute except Stevia; not white breads or other carbs; no more sodas (diet or otherwise); no dairy (I'm drinking almond milk); and I'm drinking a high alkaline water. All of this is supposed to fight cancer. I'm also eating a mixture of low-fat organic cottage cheese mixed with flax oil each day. Will it help? I don't know but it can't hurt. I have nausea about every other day and today I'm going in to see if I have a kidney/bladder infection. Surgery is in 16 days. Today I received an email to pray for Rich Buhler, a popular speaker/radio host/minister who I got to meet several years ago. He had pancreatic cancer. I got the email from several people. Someone had tacked my name on and asked for prayer for me too. My friend in Iowa sent me a copy of that email that she had received. I was surprised to see my name attached to an email about Rich. My friend said people all over the world are probably praying for me now. That's very conforting. God is bigger then cancer. Rich and I can trust in that.
ReplyDeleteThings are getting challenging. My lower back hurts all of the time. It feels like something is pressing on a nerve or something. Does that mean the tumor has grown? Or am I just so aware of it that I'm feeling pain that isn't there? Could be either of those two things. I don't take anything for pain because I'm supposed to avoid such drugs two weeks before surgery. Today I'm two weeks away from surgery. I've also been battling this every-other-day nausea. My doc ordered an xray, which I tried to get yesterday but ran up against a very unhappy DRMC radiology employee who said she had no such order for an xray. It was in the computer system but she couldn't find it. It occurred to me after I left she never asked how to spell my name. She was probably looking for "Rhonda Palmer". Common mistake. Anyway, I left without getting the xray. I'll try again today. Meanwhile, this employee needs to be transfered to a job where she does not have to deal with patients. Instead of being her job, I was an interuption to her job. I notice as the surgery date gets closer I get a bit more edgy. I'm looking forward to Christmas. Then this challenge will be far behind me.
ReplyDeleteI went for my x-ray, finally. Haven't heard word of the results. No news is good news? Lower back is still hurting. I've been stooping over to work on a Jigsaw puzzle. This could be part of the problem. Must use a stool from now on. Other stomach problems seem to have gotten better. I had started using almond milk (delicious) instead of cow's milk. That could have created some of the stomach discomfort I've been feeling. 11 days until surgery. Still looking forward to Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to the doc's today to see what can be done about this nausea. I have not received x-ray results from the kidney doc. I'm going to see my regular doc today. I think I'm getting nervous about next week's surgery, and I probably have a nervous stomach.
ReplyDeleteToday is my last Saturday before surgery. I'm cleaning house and getting ready for friends to visit tomorrow from Las Vegas, originally from California. Looking forward to their visit. The nausea has subsided, much in thanks to an anti-anxiety medication the doc gave me on Tuesday. Yes, I can finally admit that I'm nervous about my upcoming surgery...no, I'm downright scared to death. The medication makes me drousey and more or less, laxidasical (sp) about pretty much everything. But I think that's better frame of mind to be in than uptight and anxious.
ReplyDeleteRhonda- Long lost friend Sheila Goode here. Gods timing is always perfect. I will also be praying for you. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma 2 years ago and after surgery I have not had any other symptoms. Jesus is your healer just remember that fact. Tell your parents hello and I will follow your progress. Where are you guys now? We're in Texas.
ReplyDeleteSHEILA...so good to hear from you. We are in Santa Clara, UT. Southern part of the state about two hours north of Las Vegas. I was looking at your profile and I saw that you are now a nurse. Good for you. Congratulations on that great accomplishement. Looking forward to reconnecting.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, you are such an inspiration!! I am praying for you my dear! I pray that the LORD will show you great and marvelous things through this journey. May God overflow your cup with His blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kym. I'm feeling pretty good. I want to get this overwith so I can move on with life. Looking forward to my mom coming out for a while to "mother" me. Everyone needs their mommy when their sick, right? God is good all the time and I can feel that peace that surpasses all understanding as prayers are lifted up on my behalf. Loves. Rhonda
ReplyDeleteI have to be at the hospital tomorrow @ 12:00. Surgery will probably take place between 1:00 and 2:00. By this time tomorrow I will be minus a kidney and the turmor that is attached to it. Now if I can keep my mind off the fact that I'm hungry but can have nothing to eat until they feed me at the hospital after surgery I'll make it through tonight.
ReplyDeleteI have one less kidney and the cancer is gone. ishould be coming home from the hospital by saturday. feeling pretty good, thanks to the epidural.
ReplyDelete5 days out of surgery and I'm feeling pretty good. I get my staples out on Wednesday. Mom goes home tomorrow. I am tired and sore. The pain meds make me have strange dreams. I'm on blood thinners for a month to prevent blood clotting. It's time for a nap.
ReplyDeleteIt's been over two weeks since surgery. I'm still sleeping in my comfy electric recliner. Tried the bed, but can't lay flat yet. I have about enough energy in the morning to take a shower, but then it's time for a nap. I'm saving all my energy up so I can go to church tomorrow. I am so thankful to God that my fight with cancer is over. But I have heard of a lot of friends/family members who are fighting their own battles with cancer. My mom went home last Tuesday. It was nice to have her here. We had a lot of fun, in spite of the circumstances. It was good to spend time with her. She took care of me, Mike and the kids. We all enjoyed having her here.
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad that you are feeling so much better. Hope you made it to church yesterday. I bet you were really tired after that. I've been wanting to call but knew that you would be tired out and I knew that I should wait until you are feeling stronger. Just keep on getting stronger and soon you will be good as new if not better.
ReplyDeleteFunny how time doesn't fly after a surgery. My last post I said it's been over two weeks. Checking the calendar today I find it's been 11 days. Boy, what that pain medication does to one's brain. I'm taking only Tylenol 3 a couple times a day for pain now. So my brain is not quite so groggy. I did make it to church yesterday. It was good to see everyone and I enjoyed watching Sam as she helped to lead worship. It blesses me to see her singing praises to the Lord. It was a very tradional service, so the songs came right out of the hymnal. Most of them, she'd never heard before. But she and Shannon and Lucretia did a great job. I'm tired of being tired. I want to get up and do things. I did my bill filing today and that wore me out. Jean, call anytime. I always have time for a phone call. Well, time for a snooze.....
ReplyDeleteI'm over three weeks past surgery and feeling pretty good. Still on the Coumadin, which I hate. But it's better than getting a blood clot, I suppose. Not much more to say on this blog. The cancer is gone. I'm finally able to drive and it still hurts like a son of a gun to sneeze.
ReplyDelete