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Kidney cancer and kidney removal: How is life with one kidney?

Posted by vickipm @vickipm, Oct 25 10:12am

So after 2 years of various research studies and treatments, my husband's non invasive kidney cancer has returned with an added bonus of three tumors on his bladder.
Those were removed last week during post Jelmyto chemo post check up.
It is recommended to remove the offending kidney. My husband is 75 and we hope this will take care of it. Of course, he'll be tracked for a while.
How is life with one kidney?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney Cancer Support Group.

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mvb1213 | @mvb1213 | Oct 27 8:03am

I had my right kidney removed April 2024 due to cancer. So far my follow-ups have been good. The function with one kidney is not much different, but I watch what I eat. They say not too much protein. Be aware of medications, I always make sure doctors know I only have one kidney as some drugs are not good for kidneys. With follow-ups your husband should do fine, I was 72 when mine was removed.

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vickipm | @vickipm | Oct 27 8:40am

Thank you for you helpful and promising reply.

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goinforhope | @goinforhope | Nov 6 7:32am

My kidney and a nerf-football sized tumor were removed 7 years ago. I have been on a few different chemotherapies since then. The first year I drank a gallon of water a day and now I drink a half gallon. As much as I can, I avoid any kind of pain medication. I experience inflammation from the chemo and my diet has become vegan with the addition of non-fat fish, seafood, and sugar. My remaining kidney had a small lesion ablated 3 years ago and it continues to process my chemo and 15 supplements. Life with one kidney feels fine.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 7 7:54pm

@vickipm, good question. Many people live well with one kidney, this includes people who had surgery to remove a kidney due to cancer or kidney disease.

When will your husband have surgery? How is he doing? How are YOU doing?

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vickipm | @vickipm | Nov 8 8:55am

Surgery set for December 14, hoping it gets moved up. We are doing okay, carrying on with a busy life, trying be upbeat and positive and depending on prayers to keep us uplifted. Hubby gets angry at dumb things and I figure that is his angst. Wish I could get him to drink more water! Thanks for your inquiry.

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susanris | @susanris | Nov 10 5:24pm
In reply to @vickipm "Surgery set for December 14, hoping it gets moved up. We are doing okay, carrying on..." + (show)
Profile picture for vickipm @vickipm

Surgery set for December 14, hoping it gets moved up. We are doing okay, carrying on with a busy life, trying be upbeat and positive and depending on prayers to keep us uplifted. Hubby gets angry at dumb things and I figure that is his angst. Wish I could get him to drink more water! Thanks for your inquiry.

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@vickipm I just celebrated my 61st anniversary of having a kidney removed for cancer! I am truly blessed. I had 2 babies, multiple surgeries and have been told that my one kidney is larger. My son, age 54, just had surgery for the same thing in January. His kidney function tests have improved over the past year and he is now having normal lab values. We both watch how many CT with contrasts we get. Normally, kidneys work at around 50% each. So, it takes awhile to get the other one working more efficiently. Yes, hydration is important and we never forget we have one in watching out for UTIs and such. Otherwise, it all works out! Good luck!

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