About StayPositive

StayPositive

I went through a partial nephrectomy a month ago, removed a smallish (13mm) RCC tumour from my kidney. The pathology report indicated that I had a very narrow clear margin of 0.8mm. I don't know whether it was intentionally narrow or an error/misunderstanding during the surgery. The surgeons are not giving me a clear answer whether they are confident the tumour has been completely and successfully removed. They are going to scan the kidney again in 3 months. This is making me worried. Is a very narrow margin like that common for small tumours?

StayPositive

I went through a partial nephrectomy a month ago, removed a smallish (13mm) RCC tumour from my kidney. The pathology report indicated that I had a very narrow clear margin of 0.8mm. I don't know whether it was intentionally narrow or an error/misunderstanding during the surgery. The surgeons are not giving me a clear answer whether they are confident the tumour has been completely and successfully removed. They are going to scan the kidney again in 3 months. This is making me worried. Is a very narrow margin like that common for small tumours?

StayPositive

Hi There, I am getting concerned with my poo smelling foul as it smelt before my bowel surgery. I am close to 3 months past surgery now, and it was T2C,N0. Doctors said I don't need chemo so I stuck with it. Bowel habit has been unusual since surgery but manageable so far. Lots of grains and seeds, and undigested food in the poo to show what I ate earlier- not concerned about that. Now I am noticing a foul smell when I pass stool and I am feeling concerned. I don't think it smelt like that after the surgery until now (but may also be that I did not notice). Rectum also feels a bit itchy and I feel like I am constipated. Poo consistency is ok but I have to strain a bit to get it started. Any experience? should I be concerned?

StayPositive

Yes, painkillers can cause constipation. I forgot to mention, thanks Budgie. It was not a problem in my case as I was taking those in moderation. My surgeon had instructed me not to use movicol or other laxatives. I drink a lot of water- maybe that helped.

StayPositive

Hi Bianca, I was very worried at that time. In the end everything went well. I found out that some bleeding after the surgery is normal. Only time when you need to really worry is if you have very heavy bleeding (they said half a cup- ie over 100ml), or if you have severe pain. Otherwise, just rest and observe. A couple of things that I learnt during that time was- 1) Absolutely no straining when passing stool- it may feel harmless but when you repeat it several times, the effect is cumulative. 2) Try to reduce the number of toilet trips if you are a frequent visitor. In my case, I was going up to 10 times a day. Many trips to toilet means the wound does not get time to rest and heal. Using painkillers seemed to help- even if I was not having much pain at all. I found that the painkillers helped the bowel to empty completely and hence I did not have to go to toilet frequently. I hope you feel better in a few days like I did. If you have more severe bleeding, it will be safer to go to the emergency, hopefully it does not come to that.

StayPositive

Hi sch, Thanks for your suggestion. It is stage 2 and the oncologist suggested that there is very small increase in chanes of complete cure (about 2%), if I go through chemo. In numeric terms, chances of relapse reduces from about 15% to about 13%. Speaking to a numbe of people who have gone through chemo, I am getting tempted to skip it for the marginal benefit it will provide. The oncologist said it will be oral chemo- with 3 weeks cycle, for the next 6 months. I haven't met anyone who has done oral chemo- may be it is lower dose and less severe? Thanks, StayPositive

StayPositive

It has been 8 weeks since my sigmoid has been removed. The surgeons were very happy with the surgery so was I. They said my lymph nodes were all clear (16 of them) so I may not need chemo but they will give me chemo if I really want it. They explained the benefits and risks of chemo to me. It will result in a marginal increase in my chances of complete cure- the chances of relapse will reduce from about 15% to 13%. The side effects may be serious, but they can stop the treatment if anything goes too bad so it should be safe. It is a life decision and I am struggling to make one. Time is running out as the chemo has to start within 3 months of surgery. I am determined to do everything that I can to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back. At the same time, is the benefit of about 2% more chances really worth 6 months of chemotherapy? They said it won't have long term impacts on my body but I am hearing different things from different people and getting more confused every day. I would appreciate if you could share your views/suggestions. StayPositive

StayPositive

Hey Phil, Great to hear you are up and about. Hope you get rid of your pepper soon. Today is end of week 4 since my surgery. Still hurts a little but otherwise in great spirit. No chemo recommended for me. I have now been transferred to urology department to further investigate my kidney issue. Appointment is in two weeks and I am very nervous about it. Life is still on hold for me for now. Can’t plan anything until I know what my kidney needs, if anything. I am impressed with your humour and positivity. Please keep it up.

StayPositive

Hi Phil, I hope you are recovering well. All the best. My surgeons are very happy with my surgery and recovery. I am now able to walk and do some light activities. I am still very nervous about visiting the urologist- scheduled in a couple of weeks. As you said, we grow significantly as a person through this experience. We learn to take life as it comes - one day at a time. At the moment, I am taking a lot of time for meditation and mindfulness practices. Everything is uncertain and everything is impermanent. I am trying to figure out what is the best use of my existence. I feel more calm now but it is like a roller coaster - one little trigger and I might be in the middle of the storm again. I hope I will soon find a way to a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

StayPositive

Hello Phil and sch, Thanks for your replies. It was a very anxious time but it is all over now. I have no more bleeding. I went to my GP and also called the cancer Council helpline. I found out that traces of blood was normal but if significant bleeding occurs, with pain, I must visit emergency. I was also able to ask the surgeon through the nurses- a bit later in the week. Same reply. I increased the painkillers which helped in opening and emptying the bowel and hence less frequent toilet visits. Less toilet visits meant less straining and abrasion on the wound and hence reduced bleeding. Gradually it disappeared in about a week. I thought my experience might be beneficial to others.

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