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SBD · Admiral Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1022

The year 2006 is both a tragedy and a blessing for me. I had been pushing my father for over a year to get a full body scan as a preventitive measure. Out of the blue one day, he told me to schedule a full body scan for the both of us. Although I didn't think it was necessary for someone who is 33 to get such a scan, I went ahead and made the appointment.

I called the LifeScore Clinic to set the date for the exam. I was told that the earliest appointment was weeks away unless I wanted to come in on Friday, January the 13th, which was wide open. For Sicilians, 13 is actually considered a lucky number, so I made the appointment.

One of the main reasons we chose LifeScore was because of their ColonScore. It's much less invasive than the regular way a colonoscapy is usually performed and it was an area my father was concerned about.

On January 13, 2006 we both had our scans. I had the TotalScore and my father had the UltraScore. We were immediately given our HeartScore which showed some plaque on my dads arteries and no plaque on any of my arteries, which should be expected for someone my age. When we were finished, I scheduled a consultation to go over all of the results of my father's scan with the doctor. I didn't schedule one for myself since I figured it would be a waste of money considering my age and all.

The following week, I went with my father for his consultation on the results of his scan. The doctor showed us a 3D representation of my father's colonoscapy which showed that everything was normal.

Then the doctor turned to me and said she was glad that I had come with my father because she needed to go over my results with me. She said it was very rare for someone my age to have such a scan, but in my case, it was a good choice. I was told that the scan found some sort of tissue mass in my right kidney and she wanted me to schedule an Abdominal CT Scan with contrast dye injected during the procedure so that she could make a better diagnosis. I immediately scheduled the scan for the following week.

On January 31, 2006 I had my second scan where they injected some sort of dye in my veins during the scan. Immediately after the dye is injected, all of your insides become warm which only lasts about 30 seconds or so. When I was finished, I was told the doctor would call me as soon as she went over the results.

A few days later, I got the call. I was told that I had a 3.4 cm kidney tumor that was of concern and needed to be removed as possible kidney cancer. Upon further research, it turns out that no biopsy is performed before surgery because of the location and risk of spreading the cancer. The stats show that 90% of the time, the tumor is malignant.

This months Journal of Urology had a study about kidney cancer which is technically termed Renal Cell Carcinoma. It found that most patients are having their entire kidney removed, even though technology exists to only remove the tumor and spare the rest of the kidney. The study was done by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

I met with a surgeon on Monday who says he can do the kidney sparing surgery laproscopically. He says he has done about 12 of them and has been sucessful with all of them. There is no room for mistakes with this kind of surgery. Last May, a great lady and friend of mine went in to have kidney stones removed and died a few days later because the doctor accidently punctured her colon in 4 places.

I have scheduled a second opinion with the Cleveland Clinic and I am open to any referrals to specialists in this field anyone might have. I have no pain or other symptoms at all.

One of the major reasons for my posting is to encourage others who can afford to have a full body scan to do it. That scan probably saved my life. Who knows how big the tumor would have been if I had never had the scan and it was left to just grow? If I had waited for symptoms, the cancer could have spread to other organs in my body and it would have been too late.

Don't put it off, if you can afford such a scan, do it!!!

SBD

shawa · CNO Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 2004

SBD, it is a blessing that out of concern for your father you agreed to get the scan too. My prayers are with you.
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776)

BuffaloJack · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject:

SBD,
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, however, cancer is NOT a death sentence.
My best friend, a former Cobra gunship pilot, was sent home by the Army in 1976 after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. The Army doctors gave him 6 months to live. The VA declared him 100% disabled because of the diagnosis and for the last 30 years he goes to the VA hospital very other month for his cancer treatments. Since being given his 6 months to get his affairs in order, he has had several kids, started and managed a small chain of coffee shops, sold off his coffee shops, retired, goes hunting, fishing and has 2 or 3 vacations every year at various resorts. He still trots over to the VA hospital every other month for his chemo and will probably outlive us all.
Jack
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Swift Boats - Qui Nhon (12/69-4/70), Cat Lo (4/70-5/70), Vung Tau (5/70-12/71)

dusty · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject:

Boy talk about Providence taking a part. Your father's insistance that you also get the scan had to be Devine intervention SBD.
Your prognosis and treatment options appear to be very good and I know all the good folks here will be praying for the successful treatment of this.
All the prayers from lots of folks sure made the difference in the outcome of my brush with throat cancer.
You will get through it. We're all pulling for you.
Keep us posted.

Dusty
_________________
Left and Wrong are the opposite of Right!

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

Sorry to hear of your medical difficulties SBD and congrats on your foresight in catching this early. A neighbor of mine recently had a similar tumor removed that had grown to baseball size without her knowledge and she has recovered splendidly.

Best of luck with your surgery.

kimberly · PO2 Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 377

SBD, thanks for sharing your story with us. I, too, am so sorry to hear this news, but from all that you've said, I agree that your prognosis seems good, especially having caught it so early. I am glad to hear that you will be going to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion and I hope that you will update us at that time. If you've never been there, be prepared, it is a huge facility, but the best around. I don't know any specialists there in this field, but it sounds like you have done your 'homework' and are prepared to ask the important questions, especially how many times the Dr. has performed this surgery. Perhaps you might also want to check Drs. success rate. I believe there is a site that lists past or pending suits by patients. Finding someone you feel confident with is so very important. I lost my mother for the same reason you lost your lady friend! In the meantime, suggesting you try not to become overwhelmed by the unknown, is much easier said than done. I've been through so many of these medical situations for myself and others, that I truly believe that the 'hurry up and wait part' is the worst. Please know that we will all be thinking of you and praying for a successful outcome. Keep us posted!
Kimberly

Navy wife · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

SBD,
Thank GOODNESS for that scan! And good luck with your surgery. I'll bet your parents are happy campers that you had it done too! Do keep us all posted on your progress!

Navy wife

Doll · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

SBD,

I am so sorry to hear this, but I am so glad that out of concern for your Dad you went ahead to have one done with him per his request. God was looking out for you my friend and since it was caught so early, before symptoms, your prognosis is excellent.

Looks like we share one thing in common. Surgery. I will be having my gallbladder out on the 20th by laparoscopy. It made me nervous when you said your friend died because they punctured her colon four times. They must not have caught it in time, usually that shows up within 24 hours after surgery.

I will be thinking good thoughts of you SBD - you really are one swell person with a big heart! I will be sending loads of prayers up for you!

God bless you and you are going to be just fine!

Cheers!

Doll Smile

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The HILL Chronicles

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GenrXr · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 4:42 am Post subject:

Remain upbeat and absolute in beating it. Wishing you the best.
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

Uisguex Jack · Rear Admiral Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 613

SBD, thanks for posting this and you hang tough!

ON a lighter side..... I'm just astonished you're so young.

YOu take care, when you need a laugh just watch that john kerry/baghdad bob video you put up here...... Months later and it's still funny.

becca1223 · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:23 pm Post subject:

SPD, Thank goodness your persuading finally won over your father's stubbornness Smile

, but most of all, thank goodness for your father's intuition. I pray you find comfort in the answers to your questions on your second opinion with the Cleveland Clinic. Keep us posted. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you. Becca

SBD · Admiral Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1022

Hello,

Sorry it took me so long to respond to all of your thoughts and prayers. I want you to know that I really do appreciate it. I know from personal experience what the power of prayer can do. My best friend got into an accident a while back and was given a 10% chance to live. He was out of that hospital in 3 weeks after all of the prayers from those whose life he touched.

It may already be working my case as well. My MRI results actually show a small reduction in size from 3.4 cm to closer to 3 cm. In addition, I received my second opinion from the Cleveland Clinic which I believe confirmed my hesitancy about the Laproscopic surgery. Here is my second opinion from Dr. Andrew C. Novick, M.D and Chairman of the Glickman Urological Institute.

SBD · Admiral Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1022

becca1223 · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:44 pm Post subject:

SBD, Prayers do work wonders!

My prayers for you will continue for the very best outcome from your surgery. May you be blessed with an excellent prognosis. Please do continue to keep us posted. God bless you.
Becca

SBD · Admiral Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1022

All seems to be well. I have an appointment Monday afternoon to go over the pathology report, but both surgeons say they are certain they got all of the tumor out.

SBD