Scheduled for kidney surgery
I am new to this group. Thanks for all your experiences.
The following is reported on my personal health records.
(EXAM RESULTS 002318945 DICT/RENAL QUAD PHASE)
My left kidney has a: "Well defined 3.7 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm complex cyst arising from the medial lower pole of the left kidney."
IMPRESSION: or concluding notes.
"3.7 cm complex left lower pole renal, suspicious for renal cell carcinoma, stable from previous and minimally increased in size from 3.4 cm in August 2022. No new abnormality."
About me: I am 77 years old, active and otherwise fairly healthy at 5 ft 2 and 102 pounds.
My surgeon has 5 * ratings from many of his previous patients and I would like to trust his advice. He is recommending laparoscopic nephrectomy for me in January 2025.
I asked him if a biopsy could be done before the operation as I have read your experiences that many tumors are are found to be non cancerous after the operation. He did not recommend a biopsy because if the tumor is cancerous the cancer could possible spread.
I am thinking to wait and continue to monitor, if I knew the tumor was not cancerous.
Conclusion: I know many of you have similar experiences, and I am not asking for specific advice, just some thoughtful feed back.
Thank You, Fern
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney Cancer Support Group.
Hi Fern,
Interesting. I had my kidney surgery with robotic. They removed 10% of my right kidney on 12/12/24.
I just had total knee replacement surgery on 3/31/25.... starting my 3rd week of recovery. Healing well.
I am considering something to say my Dr so he might reconsider,
Example: Dr J - - , once you are in progress and find there is a good possibility the tumor can be remove, "partial nephrectomy" I give you my consent to proceed. (wishful thinking perhaps)
What was your recovery time for healing, and return to relatively normal activities, like walking and or riding a bike after the kidney surgery.
Thank you Fern
Hi Fern, my partial nephrectomy recovery time was about two weeks.
Thank you
@hhppau23, with that history, I completely understand why you are nervous about your upcoming surgery. You are in good hands at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
You will find helpful tips from members about where to stay, eat and more in the Visiting Mayo Clinic forum here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/
Mayo Clinc offers a free concierge service to assist patients in making plans and locating lodging, travel, getting directions around Mayo and Rochester, etc. Concierge services are complementary.
Here is information for Contacting the Concierge Services:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services
By phone 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday: 507-538-8438
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
Online: Request Concierge Services (if you go to the link below, you can link directly to this )
Will you have someone with you when in Rochester?