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MRIs after Nephrectomy
So this past week I had my MRI abdomen and pelvis with and with out contrast and I also had a Chest CT. I am 5 months out since my nephrectomy for RCC. I suffered some scanxiety before after and during the MRI. The CT was fine it was short and easy. The MRI lasted 2 hours and I was given IV contrast. I did not like the MRI. It was confining and noisy. I was able to listen to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons but it was interrupted by the machine asking me to breathe in and hold my breath etc. My back almost went into a spasm. I was both cold and hot. My extremities were cold while the “sheet” they put over me made me hot and a bit sweaty my hands, arms and feet felt cold. The tech explained things well enough. I will be dreading the next MRI. When I came home I took off the tape, coban, and I started bleeding a little from the needle site in my arm. I applied pressure and it stopped but that annoyed me. Thank Gid I don’t take blood thinners I feel sorry for people that do I could see how you could bleed quite a bit! It made be annoyed that I had to go through the MRI because of the renal tumor I had and I will have more MRI ‘s in my future. That’s just great! I know I need them. I am just depressed and annoyed that I do need them! I am also angry that I got this cancer in the first place! As if life isn’t hard enough! Now I have to wait until next week for the results another stressor! if I have something it will need to be treated if I don’t then more scans, the cycle will repeat. I am not pleased. I will try to have a good weekend in spite of how I feel. Cancer sucks!
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Assuming if you are 5 months out, that you are a one kidney person like me. I Lost one last week. Recovering ok. Hang in there, MRI and CT's seem to be important tools for detecting other areas where cancer may be hiding. Like you I am dissatisfied that with all testing that is done some indication of my 3 inch tumor would have been discovered earlier when it may possibly have been removable without having to take out whole kidney. Have to move forward, be positive and keep remaining kidney in good condition. I am still searching for other testing that can detect early stages of this cancer. Be positive, live life best you can.
Harold
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2 ReactionsThank you Harold. We have a lot in common. Thank you for the encouraging words. You are just starting! My surgery was May 2019. I had a 9 cm tumor so they had to remove my kidney. I have been feeling OK. I had a laparoscopic nephrectomy so my down time was 6 weeks then I started working again. Take care of yourself and go easy these surgeries take their toll! I am cancer free now and will need Surveillance for another year or more! I am healthy otherwise. I feel mostly normal again. I have some issues with fatigue. Thanks again for your reply! Let me know how you are doing! Take care!
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2 ReactionsSurveillance is good word to describe what I am facing, wish I could say am cancer free just don't know to early to say. Oncologist doc says it looks promising but no guarantees. Another CT scheduled in three months. Thanks for you comments.
Harold
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2 Reactions@azkidney57. My friend Karen's cancer was not found until she started having physical symptoms. She is now on chemo for colon and liver cancer. I hate MRIs, but I thought about Karen as I was having an MRI a couple of weeks ago. The results came back with no evidence of disease, for which I am very thankful. It's two years since my cancerous kidney was removed, and while I have chronic conditions I must deal with, I am relatively healthy. Karen isn't doing well at all, and although she has survived a year longer than first predicted, the chemo is taking its toll. I had a bad time of it through diagnosis and surgery, and, as I said, I hate that MRI, but given the alternatives, I'm really rather fortunate. One can do quite well with only one kidney - just be sure and treat it kindly with diet, water, exercise, etc. Take care, everybody.
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2 ReactionsThere are no guarantees at all but in life we have no guarantees! I was mostly carefree before my cancer diagnosis but no one really knows what the future will bring! Life after a cancer diagnosis has made me appreciate the most important aspects of my life often I find the simple things are most satisfying! Hang in there. I wish you the best! I hope you have a good oncologist! I am happy with mine! Keep in touch Haroldpingel!
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