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Feeling scared: I have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, waiting for the op

Bjarkha
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Hi I have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, I’m 43 and had a fall down 13 stairs in June, and broke a vertebrae on my spine and was admitted to hospital due to a suspected bleed on my kidney. Ias a result of the fall I have had various scans these past 6 months and I found out at the end of October that I had a large tumour. The doctors have advised that I will have my whole kidney removed. I was told I would have the operation within 4 weeks which would be around now but I hadn’t heard anything so I called the hospital for an update; I was told that nothing had been scheduled yet. It has been an agonising wait, my mental health is really suffering and I just feel so alone and scared. I have my husband who has been very supportive but I don’t want to keep burdening him with my fears, I have so much pain in my upper back but am not sure if that is due to the fall or because of the tumour. I feel as though I am in limbo. 

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    Hello Bjarkha, 

    What a nasty fall you had poor you! 13 stairs and broken vertebrae on your spine as well as this bleed on your kidney which led to the discovery of the tumour. You did the right thing calling the hospital for an update when you didn't hear anything when the operation should have been scheduled around now. I can imagine it has been an agonising wait and it can take its toll on your mental health and make you feel isolated. I am glad that you have the support of your lovely husband; it is important to have someone by your side you can offload to and you are also welcome to post on this forum at any time. You will I am sure hear from others who have been in a similar situation waiting for an operation or for a diagnosis and they will be able to relate to how you are feeling at the moment. I hope you won't mind but I have added more information to your title to include the details of your diagnosis so that others who have also been affected by kidney cancer can come along and offer support and comforting words during this stressful time. 

    We have information on our website on kidney cancer  and in particular I suggest you have a look at our section on surgery for kidney cancer so that you feel a little prepared ahead of your operation. Feeling in limbo is not a pleasant feeling and we have these helpful tips to help you cope while waiting for important news. Did they give you an estimate as to when you might be having the operation? I think you deserve to have a bit more of an idea of the time frame so don't hesitate to ask whether they could give you at least a rough estimate as to how long the wait might still be to have the operation. 

    I am keeping everything crossed for you that you won't need to wait much longer and that you get some clarity on this. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hiya I just wanted to say hello. I went to my GP with cystitis who found non visible blood in my urine. I was referred for a cytoscopy and ultrasound both were clear. The consultant booked me a CT scan to just be 100% sure and was going to discharge me. I was called back last week for a contrast ultrasound which the radiographer initially said was probably over kill as the scan looked like scarring. However I found out yesterday that I in fact have a 1cm solid mass on my right kidney. I am utterly in shock. I didnt sleep at all and have spent most of the night crying. My family are being so positive but I cant stop over thinking. I just wanted to reach out because I feel like im going insane xx

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