April 1

[April_Fool]

Hi This is my first post, I am 44 and diagnosed with kidney caner on April the 1st. I Went to the Doctor as I had been having some pain in my upper abdomen, my partner though it could be a gallstone as she had one in the past. I had an ultrasound. When I went back to the Doctor he told me that yes I have a gallstone and by the way they found a lump on your kidney. A CT scan later and yep lets put the gall stone operation on the back burner, you have cancer. Now in a holding pattern and waiting 3 weeks to see a specialist. I was thinking where has this year gone already, it's slowed down in the last couple of days. Good luck and best wishes to every one.

[GHT]

It is always a shock when you here the C word isn't it. I got mine as a new year "gift" and you get a nasty April fools day. As many others will tell you, the waiting is a big part of cancer whether for specialist appts, to have test results etc. also, like you, I have found time does wierd things or rather your perception of time. I really hope you get the best of care. If you are anything like me you will research your condition on the web a lot. Best wishes and welcome to the community on this site.

[pmcpmc]

It really is a bizarre thing what happens with time, particularly in those first few weeks of hearing the diagnosis. It seems to slow down whilst you're waiting for results, speed up when you're being poked and prodded through a multitude of tests then all repeats over itself. I'm 18 months out from learning I had breast cancer and looking back on everything it just seems like a crazy whirlwind of events. Sending lots of strength and healthy wishes your way whilst you start on the rollercoaster ride. x P

[April_Fool]

Thanks GHT and Peaacal for your kind words, This has also been my first experience social media, as I am not on face book. I am still trying to work out the difference between a forum and a blog :) Is there a particular forum area where most people tend to migrate too?. GHT why cant you have surgery?

[GHT]

Dear April (not a fool just unlucky) This social media stuff is soooo new to me too. I hate the idea of Facebook but this site is the only place I can connect with others with cancer. Thanks for your interest re surgery. My respiratory system tends to shut down under anasthetic. Even Midazalam for short procedures leads to my oxygen sats diving below 90 of course anesthetists and their insurers don't want to pay out so my 20% mortality chance for major surgery (hysterectomy in my case) does their actuarial heads in. Even if hormone therapy reduces the cancer the chance of recurrence is high I think. Also I can't stay on high dose provera long term as it increases chance of heart attack and stroke and breast cancer. Yippee! I hope your gall stone recedes as gall bladder pain is no fun. I had mine out yrs ago but even then I stopped breathing. It was actually very peaceful though. Best wishes GHT