Renal complex cyst requires MRI with contrast

I'm bringing in fellow members @elevinton @seantraci9 @jolinda @IWantToBelieve into this discussion.

In the meantime, you may be interested in this related discussion (although not transplant specific):
- Renal Cyst: Nothing to worry about? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/renal-cyst/

@hello1234, I can imagine this is worrying (to say the least). What did your doctor suggest as the next step?

Thanks so much @colleenyoung 😊 You posted the perfect link for me to read the previous discussions on renal complex cysts. Thank you! This is exactly the information I was looking for.
My doctor told me "not to worry" and we will retest with ultrasound in 6 months to make sure there is "interval stability". I assume that means to make sure it's not changing or growing. I am not sure if a Cat Scan or MRI might help to give additional details regarding the cyst or if it's unnecessary to have more details at this time.
He also mentioned that the cyst may be a result of the one year protocol kidney biopsy that I just had in August. I found that comment to be interesting since the frequency of all the protocol biopsies concerned me before this new cyst diagnosis. I don't like the idea of poking holes in my new wonderful kidney on a regular basis, but I want to follow the medical protocols too. It's a dilemma.

I’m so sorry you have developed a kidney cyst @hello1234. Certainly very disconcerting. Your team seems to be on top of though. As you know, biopsies are commonly done on many transplant recipients as the best way to confirm the viability of the new organ. What I’ve read is that there is a low possibility of anything happening to the new organ during the procedure.

While stats don’t offer much to lower your concerns, please try to remain positive and have faith that your team wants to do their best to keep you and your new kidney healthy! So, go back to worrying about Covid again!

Big comforting Hugs, Athena 🤗

A big hello to my wonderful friend @athenalee 😊 You sent your comment at the perfect time.
I can always rely on you to put a big smile on my face! I am going to take your excellent advice and go back to worrying about covid!!! LOL
It's amazingly how well you know me!
Maybe because we are both one year post transplant and we were both transplanted during a global pandemic...we have lots in common.
Big hug right back to you! ❤

Transplant Sisters…that’s a positive thought for the past nearly two years of medical turmoil! I kind of felt like the very definition of “adding insult to injury” when Covid hit. As I’m forced to go back into the public on a daily basis though I certainly am increasingly paranoid. It’s our new normal…so, keep smiling my friend!

@athenalee @estrada53 @rosemarya @leahdrose @loribmt @contentandwell @colleenyoung and everyone else,
I don't know if you saw this morning's fabulous news yet. The FDA just gave EUA approval to AstraZeneca for their every six months shot of covid antibodies PRE-EXPOSURE (for immune suppressed patients). Should be available in the next few months. Their trial showed 83% effective against symptomatic disease and death. Used with a mask in crowds and close quarters, it sounds like almost 100% to me! I smell FREEDOM coming our way soon. Announcements are on the internet from the major news sources.
Love to you ❤

Thank you, @hello1234 I was not aware of that. The last I knew they were saying we could get a fourth shot 6 months after our third. The third shot for us was part of the protocol and the fourth shot would be a booster. This is even better though since the shots do lose efficacy over time.
JK

Hi @contentandwell 😊 I hope all is well with you!
Remember, this new PRE-EXPOSURE monoclonal antibodies shots protocol will be different from the covid vaccine shot protocol.
The pre-exposure monoclonal antibodies are for the immune suppressed community that had no antibody response to the vaccine. They will be giving us antibodies that our suppressed immune system could not make for ourselves when given the vaccine.
A healthy normal immune system sees a vaccine and creates antibodies.
Only 2% of the population will need these protective antibodies shots (transplant, cancer, etc).
They are currently used POST-exposure to covid for high risk patients, but for transplant patients we will receive these shots BEFORE any exposure to the disease to add a layer of protection against severe disease and death.
I forget JK. Was your body able to produce antibodies after your Pfizer, Moderna or J&J covid vaccine shots?

@hello1234, @contentandwell
You will be interested to know that this is being discussed in: Transplant: Monoclonal Antibodies, Covid experience? where you can read the article. Hope to see you there 😀.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/transplant-monoclonal-antibodies-covid-experience/

@hello1234, I like what @athenalee shared when she said that stats don’t offer much to lower your concerns. As for myself, I have and do look at stats, but I choose to rely on my doctors for 'my' guidance and strength to be positive. From day #1 at Mayo, upon arriving in critical condition via air transport from my home area transplant center, I felt that the Kidney and the Liver transplant teams had my best interest in mind. I knew immediately that they would take care of me. I did learn accept reality of uncertainty, but did not dwell on it. I chose instead to ' just' follow their directions.
I have a 12yr new kidney, too. I understand your concern about biopsies and when I had my final 10yr protocol kidney biopsy, I felt a different vulnerability of future uncertainty. Again, I am trusting the expert advice of my transplant team.

You are in good hands as your team is watching over your precious new kidney. Your doctor's advice to not worry is indeed difficult to apply, but is extremely hopeful!
Hugs