I know it has been advertised on here how difficult the relationship is between my husband and me, but that aside, we learned some terrible news today: he has (more than 95% chance) cancer in one of his kidneys.
As much of a rascal as he has been I think my life would be over if the old man died. They told him one of his kidneys was abnormal, so abnormal it needed to be removed totally, and that rather than do a biopsy and risk stirring up the cancer cells and exposing them to the rest of the body it would be his best bet to have it removed.
I know there are people who live their whole lives with one kidney, my grandpa was one of them, but I'm still worried sick.
I even hate sitting in this house alone without him, as miserable as he could make things. I can't even get out to go see him at the hospital because it has started snowing and the roads are too bad.
They say they don't see anything else on the x-ray and the 5-year survival rate is around 70%, but that is little consolation (what exacly does 5-year survival rate mean, anyway??? He might live 5-years then die???) right now.
Has anyone been through this and know what to expect as far as procedures and expectations, etc? I've never directly dealt with the C word but it has been a fear of mine for as long as I can remember.
If the old man dies I know it will kill me, too. I can't live without him.
I'm very sorry you are going through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Please let us know how things are going, and know we are all here for you.
Can you find a local support group or an online one? Great help can be found as well as a wealth of knowledge to help prepare you for the future. Also, I don't know if you are working in a place that has employee health, but if so, could you benefit from talking to a counselor just to help you sort out your feelings and find ways to deal with them and take care of yourself? As bad as this is for your husband, you also need to take care of yourself. My thoughts are with you!
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
I know it has been advertised on here how difficult the relationship is between my husband and me, but that aside, we learned some terrible news today: he has (more than 95% chance) cancer in one of his kidneys.
Why do they think so? I pray not or that he is healed, MM!
I just wanted to quickly share with you my story. My dad had kidney failure in the 1980's. He didn't have cancer. I'm pretty sure the kidneys failed due to high BP. My aunt gave him a kidney after he was on dialysis for a few years. The kidney lasted for 15 years, which is a long time. He was then back on dialysis for around 5 years before he died. He also had heart problems and other issues. The 5 year number is probably similar to what my family was told...the average person lives around 5 years on dialysis. But, a person can live a long time with one kidney...so not sure where this 5 years is coming from. My aunt lived 10+ years after she gave my dad a kidney...she died from brain cancer.
So, wanted to let you know my thoughts are with you...I've experienced kidney issues in my family for about 25 years.
I hope everything goes well for you and your husband.
I'm sorry. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers. I would be terrified too, but let them go in and see what they find first. It could be a diseased kidney and not cancer. Let's hope for the best. He can beat this. Hugs.
Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.
((((MM))) i think the 5 yr deal is that if they stay cancer free for 5 yrs post op they are considered cancer free? i know my mil was told that after colon ca.
please feel free to vent and post to all of us during this time; you know we at allnurses are here for you!! mary
luvmy3kids
675 Posts
MM,
I'm very sorry you are going through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Please let us know how things are going, and know we are all here for you.
Take care,
Jennifer