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Worried about mass on my one functioning Kidney
I'm a female Army Veteran and I have only one functioning kidney and am in state 3B sometimes fall to 3C Kidney failure in that one kidney. A month ago I was told there is a mass on the functioning kidney about 3cm and after the MRI was told "it is like renal cell crarsinoma. Needless to say I'm very nervous and have not seen the urologist that I saw at the hospital due to the Veterans Affairs local Clinic as not sent the request for "Community Care" referall for the Urologist that wanted to see me in 2 weeks after I was released from the hospital. Also, my red blood cells are not doing what they should be doing due low iron. Has anyone experienced RCC with only one function kidney that is in renal failure. Would love some insite. Thank you for sharing.
I'm really worried and stressed!
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@sarge648
I have both kidneys; only 10% less of the left one after 2 tumors removed 2 yrs ago. So my kidneys are not in as dire straits as yours sound like they're in. Why am I responding? ...
I have the highest regard for veterans, and find it despicable when they get less than the treatment they've EARNED the hard way. I highly recommend, if the VA is dragging their feet to get you to where you need to be, to call your Congressman/woman. It's an election yr, and they ought to be good for something, right? My husband and I did it for my father-in-law, and I did it for my mother's second husband. In both instances, the ball started rolling in the right direction immediately. Sending prayers. Thank you for your service!
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1 ReactionThank you so much for your kind words and suggestions. Due to the influx of all of us Boomer Veterans and the younger Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans leaving the military has cause an overload of our VA Facilities and the Community Resources are also overwhelmed here in SC due to the seniors and other individuals and families moving to the area. It frustrating to us all.
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1 ReactionI am sorry about the situation you are in. I am a 60 yo female who had a left nephrectomy due to a clear cell renal carcinoma tumor on July 6, 2026. I already had CKD 3a went to 3b after surgery. I felt better day one post op. Even with 50% kidney function renal cancer causes a lot of inflammation, cytokines, it caused hypertension for me. I am starting immunotherapy on Monday. If they can remove just the tumor or shrink it with TKIs that would be best to save your kidney nephrons. I wish you the best!
@quirky9
Thank you for your words and information; I hope you are doing ok and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I just really need the VA to get off their butts and get me an appointment with a local doctor to give me some answers as what we need to do. I read they can take up to 40% of a kidney and people can do well with that but they don't talk anywhere that I can find about if you only have one functioning kidney what ones options are. I'm a bit scared, trying to stay tuff like the old Army Staff Sergeant should be.
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1 Reaction@quirky9 I'm a very young 78 years old....
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