TD - A Journey Through Prostate Cancer

Other fluids?  Rum,  Whiskey, Beer? Have a great Christmas, TD.

Kelejan wrote:Other fluids?  Rum,  Whiskey, Beer? Have a great Christmas, TD.

You are funny KJ.  

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well. 

trolleydriver wrote:

Kelejan wrote:Other fluids?  Rum,  Whiskey, Beer? Have a great Christmas, TD.

You are funny KJ.  

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well. 

It's going to be a very quit on this year.  I am hoping for a good one in 2021.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and wishing you a happy new year.

On December 23rd I had my sixth three-month hormone therapy injection for the prostate cancer. The next day I met via phone with my radiation oncologist. I got an early Christmas present. He told me I don't need to do any more injections. That means I will get 18 months instead of the planned 24 months of hormone therapy.

So now I will focus on building up my strength for the kidney surgery to remove the tumor and part of the kidney. I expect the surgery to be after March when I have my next CT Scan.

Wonderful news, TD.  That means you save six months to getting well.

All the best to you and Mrs. TD for 2021.  XXXX

Kelejan wrote:Wonderful news, TD.  That means you save six months to getting well.

All the best to you and Mrs. TD for 2021.  XXXX

Thanks KJ. Lots of love and all the best for 2021.

That's great news! Time to focus on that Kidney issue-stay strong.

Time for a health update:

This is my last month of hormone therapy for the prostate cancer. I am praying that the cancer will stay in check as my testosterone returns.

On March 5 I had a follow-up CT Scan for my kidney tumor. The scan revealed that the likely cancerous mass on my left kidney has grown slightly. A smaller indeterminate mass on my right kidney also has grown slightly. It is recommended to do an MRI to further investigate that mass. Thankfully no more kidney stones were found by the scan. 

Because there are no kidney stones my urologist is activating my surgery which is expected in the April/May time-frame. The plan is for laparoscopic surgery to remove the main tumor and part of my left kidney. The backup plan is for open surgery. Average recovery times are 6 weeks for laparoscopic an 12 weeks for open surgery.

Needless to say the cancers, pandemic and an aging body (in my 74th year) are a having an impact on me physically and emotionally. I continue to stay strong spiritually. I also eat well on my plant based diet and I exercise (walking, weights, body weight, resistance bands and rebounder).

Due to the timing of the surgery I will not be doing much spring gardening. I have 60 garlic cloves planted last October in the SFG. I have not started anything indoors. I will have to buy transplants and sow seeds. I will also need help from family and friends to get things going.

KCCure recently published my patient story. Click on the following link to read it:

https://kccure.org/2021/03/voice-of-kidney-cancer-clive-hodson/

Wonderful write up.

{{{Hugs}}}

That's a fine article, TD. I'm glad that that you had a CT scan; that's the "Gold Standard" for diagnosing kidney tumors. To further characterize the nature of a complex cystic tumor in your other kidney before surgery, your MD recommended an MRI. I'm a retired MRI tech and have lots of experience with abdominal MRI's and they can be quite useful in differentiating kidney masses. In most cases a contrast agent, Gadolinium, is used to enhance tumors. Gadolinium is relatively safe to use, provided your kidney function is good enough to remove it from your system. If your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is low (from poorly functioning kidneys), having a contrast injected can cause a rare (and sometimes fatal) condition called Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, or NSF. I have seen this condition and I would encourage you to talk it over with your physician before submitting yourself to a contrast enhanced MRI. They may be able to get by without a gadolinium injection. Not many surgeons are aware of the risks associated with a contrast enhanced MRI, but most all Nephrologists will schedule dialysis after the procedure is completed to prevent gadolinium toxicity and it's associated complications in someone who's kidney function is poor.

Thanks for the medical info Yardslave. There has been a lot of discussion on my Prostate Cancer Facebook group about the dangers of the MRI contrast. Most guys in that group are refusing the contrast.  I think I will do the same if I get the MRI for the kidney mass. Cheers

My serious medical journey continues.

Last Friday June 4 I had a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy to remove a tumor and part of my left kidney. Due to the location of the tumor it was a difficult procedure but I had a highly skilled minimally invasive surgeon who successfully removed the tumor in a four and a half hour operation. The next day I was walking laps in the hospital unit. I spent three nights in hospital.

I am recovering well. Pain management has been easy and I only needed regular Tylenol. I have been enjoying short walks as well as spending time in our flower and veggie gardens. I have been able to hand water the SFG and do a little weeding.

Recovery is expected to take six weeks during which time I must not lift anything over ten pounds. The tumor has been sent to pathology. There is a ten percent chance that it is benign otherwise it will most likely be a form of kidney cancer. Also this month I am due for a follow-up on my prostate cancer to see if the treatments worked.

Hope you all have a great gardening summer.

TD, I'm so amazed that you have bounced back so quickly after more than 4 hours of surgery. I admire you for your ability to handle whatever comes your way- very courageous! I wish you a speedy recovery, and I hope your SF garden can wait a bit longer for you to get back in shape. Stay happy, stay well, I'm pulling for you.

TD,

I think that the fact that you bounced back from such a tedious surgery so quickly is a positive sign.

I'm rooting for that 10%!

TD, Welcome back. I'm praying for a good pathology report.

Will be adding you to my prayer list. I know God answers prayer. I have seen his Holy Spirit move among the congregation,  Blessings to you TD...

TD...well wishes and prayers from Coastal NC too. I am glad to hear you did well.