Cancer sucks

[superdave]

Recuperating at home from my first major surgery and hopefully my last, had my left kidney removed along with a 4 pound tumor ( Complete nephrectomy)

Prior to Feb 2016 the only symptom was lower back pain that I now know was the large mass pushing the kidney out of the way and pulling on tissues.

Early Feb 2016 I had a minor snowmobile crash crossing a trail and landed on a wooden fence post in my left kidney area, just knocked the wind out of me and I continued to ride and rode back to hotel (riding in Montana) that night it really started to hurt in left kidney area and when I got up to piss in the early morning I noticed it was bright red with blood, next morning I drove to Idaho Falls Idaho and went to a urgent care clinic, they examined me and said it was common to piss blood from impacts in that area and gave me some pain pills, I drove 10 hours back home and the next day I was still pissing blood and pain was out of control, went to see my Dr, he also said its common to pass blood with impacts in that area but the pain I was in worried him more, he ordered a CT scan that day and my journey of endless tests started

a large mass/tumor was discovered on my kidney and after weeks of Dr visits and tests we decided to remove it all as the kidney was not functioning or barely functioning, April 14 I had robotic kidney surgery and spent 3 days in the hospital and am doing great now, tumor was sent to lab for testing and cancer was fully encapsulated in kidney and all cancer was removed with the 4 pound tumor.

so luckily living with one kidney is very common and comes with no side affects since my right kidney is operating great and now I am cancer free thanks to that snowmobile crash!


just thought I would share, ya just never know what is going on inside your body, this was quite a shock to me and an emotional roller coaster that is finally slowing down

[AL Terry]

Similar story to someone I work with, he had a similar surgery 3 weeks ago. Sounds like you are on the road to recovery, things like this can serve as a wake-up call to making changes in life. Hard to decide when and if we need to visit the doctor, a co-worker's brother ignored what his body was telling him, finally went and he had colon cancer but was to late to do anything. Glad you are getting better and best wishes.

[pezzalini]

Scary story, Dave, and glad to hear that the cancer was isolated and your prognosis is good. Thanks for sharing. It's coincidental that you posted that today, because one of my co-workers sent out the following note late last week:

Since many of you would ask what’s up I thought I would let you know. Last Monday I had a CT Scan and learned I have a 9cm mass on my left kidney. About the size of a small apple. Certainly a surprise to me and not what I thought was causing grumbling intestines. A few weeks ago I had some pain which prompted a doctor visit and the scan. I have heard people say that pain is your friend and in this case that was true. I am scheduled for surgery on Monday. The plan is to remove the mass and my kidney. All tests so far show no other areas of concern which is good. I have 2 more scans this week to confirm this good news. The surgery should remove the problem and I will live many more years with one kidney. I am sure glad God gave me two of those.

Pretty similar story, drives home the importance of paying attention to what your body is telling you, and to get it checked out when it tells you something. This is a lesson I need to learn, because while I'm fortunate to be healthy, going to see a doctor is usually a last resort for me.

[Greg D.]

That's awesome man, good luck & I hope for the best on your part it's 100% gone
My Dad's had 2 "minor" surgeries and Dr's say he's good, hate that cancer shit....

I totaled my sled 3 years ago (bruised pelvis, shoulder blade, jammed right thumb, put a hole in my tongue) and worsened a herniated disc my insurance co says I don't need surgery for (2 MRI + 2 different surgeons agree it needs fixing). Pain mgt pills/ shots, PT, chiropractor- done them all on my dime due to co-pays.
I live with taking 1000mg of Excedrin every morning, another 500mg around 7pm.

[Big Harry]

Congratulations on Cancer Free!!!

Keep up the good work.

[Perko]

May you recover fully and quickly Dave!!!!

SS

[zrx24]

[B]...tumor was sent to lab for testing and cancer was fully encapsulated in kidney and all cancer was removed with the 4 pound tumor.

When it comes to cancer, "all cancer was removed" is always a good thing to hear! Hopefully that will truly be the end of it!

[RadioDanNYC]

So glad to hear you're okay, man.

[ClayX]

What a ride man, that kind of stuff is all consuming while it is going on.
Glad to hear you are now a lighter speed machine.

Luck yes.

Hey Dave.

[whooshka27]

Sounds like the start of a happy ending. Best wishes for a full, healthy recovery!

[Racer Gil]

Everything happens for a reason. I hope it's (cancer) gone for good.

[Ken 222]

Pretty sure this is the only time I've heard someone say they felt fortunate that they had crashed. I'm glad it worked out for you. Heal up and have fun.



.

[compressor59]

Glad to hear that they got all the cancer. Good luck with your recovery.

[O.S.Triker]

WOW ! That sounded real scary I'm happy your on the mend and am wishing for a full happy healthy recovery !!!

[Dirty Harry]

Good to hear that the cancer was contained in the tumor, although a four pound mass is pretty big. Hope you will continue to be healthy and cancer-free.

Although in this case your crash was a good thing, it would be prudent to avoid crashing in the future.

[Ca Pete]

Wow, Dave, what a crazy story.

So glad it worked out and it's now a great story for me to tell my wife that crashing could actually save my life.

[wdcherry]

It will be 10 years July 5 when I had the same encapsulated kidney removed. A doctor told me to go and buy a lottery ticket. The only problem was that my right adrenal gland was also bad and removed 2 months later. Went to M.D. Anderson in Houston for kidney cancer update. They had one wing dedicated to that cancer. Great doctors ! They told me that this one of a few cancers that could also never return.
Keep up with the scans and enjoy every day and thank God.

[green12]

My brother dislocated his hip almost crashing a Ninja in 1987. Ran wide went up a hill and put his leg out to hold the bike up. He died last week with cancer in his hip.

[Cadman]

Glad to hear you are getting better, Dave.

Sorry about your brother, Carl.

[johnakay]

I to had my left Kidney removed in 2009 and had a check up every year for 5 years and all is clear.
you'll be fine with one kidney just carry on as normal but dont drink to much beer etc.
I for one dont feel any side affect with just one kidney.

[superdave]

I to had my left Kidney removed in 2009 and had a check up every year for 5 years and all is clear.
you'll be fine with one kidney just carry on as normal but dont drink to much beer etc.
I for one dont feel any side affect with just one kidney.

Thank you

[No prescription needed]

Cancer REALLY REALLY SUCKS ! I 've had two good friends in the last 12 months pass from it . One past this last Sunday mourning . I knew him for over 35 years . I visited him on Saturday to tell him good bye . I'm so glad I did . You have to take the time to tell your friends good bye . They are the one's in pain and what good does it do to whisper about after the are gone .

[Cadman]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

[mike21b]

Well, Dave, you might see that crash as a good thing 5 or so years down the road!

Your Title "Cancer Sucks" hit close to home for me, as my brother, also named Dave, sent an email to me a year ago with the exact same subject message. For him, it was prostate cancer. He had the surgery and is now cancer free. ...Boner free, also, and a newlywed to boot, but I'm sure he's glad to be alive and healthy.

Keep us updated as to your progress!

[GrowlyGuss]

Sorry to her about the circumstances, but it sounds like an overall win. Keep on keeping on Dave!

[Silvereagle]

Glad it got discovered......luck in unluck one could say. Yup, treat that one kidney ya got left nice now.