Frank has an Adrenal mass

[frankswife]

Frank has a mass on one of his adrenal glands which was discovered during his transplant eval. The thing is, he had a kidney cyst several years ago which was drained and biopsied. Now they're saying that's gone and there's a mass on the adrenal gland. I am freaking out with all I'm reading about adrenal tumors. They want him to have stat blood work and his appt with the Endocrine surgeon is next Monday. The letter regarding the appt. Had Dept. Of Oncology on it. Dear Lord please help him. I'm so scared its cancer. Does anyone have experience with adrenal cysts/masses/tumors? Thanks for listening.

[MooseMom]

I have no experience with this, but I wanted to wish you and Frank lots of prayers and good wishes.  I admit I'd freak out if I got a letter from the Dept of Oncology, so I can just imagine what a shock this must be to the both of you.  Please do let us know how the appointment goes.  I'd advise you to try to keep from panicking, but, well, I won't do that.  

[willowtreewren]

 

Oh, dear. That would be very worrisome. I hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about. 

Sending healing thoughts.

Aleta

[paris]

Prayers for both of you.  I understand your fear. It is the worst feeling when you don't know what it is but the word cancer has been introduced.  And you need to be strong for Frank, but you want to fall apart and have someone tell you it will be ok.  We learned to take one moment at a time, one test at a time and not try to guess ahead. While waiting for a specialist, we would talk about what sounded good for dinner, or the books we were reading, anything but reality.  My prayer is that in the next days you find this isn't cancer and life can move forward.  Lean on each other and lean on us -- we will help hold you up and wipe your tears.   Many prayers and good thoughts for you.   

[frankswife]

An update on Frank's condition...We saw the endocrine surgeon on Monday, who said that although the mass is very large (10 cm) it appears benign, but has to come out. Surgery is set for March 5. They may also need to take his kidney ( frank smiled and dpsaid oh well it doesn't work anyway)and his spleen and part of the diaphragm. Major, major surgery. Please pray for him.

[Rerun]

 

[Jean]

 

[okarol]

  Hope all goes well. 

[MooseMom]

Oh my.  Prayers for you both.  I hope all goes well. 

[cassandra]

       Lots of strength, and love to you both   

[Angiepkd]

Prayers for you both. You can get through this. Just another bump in the road! 

[rocker]

I have kind of a funny story about masses....

A couple years ago, DH had an abdominal ultrasound.  He was gaining weight, and they were worried about ascites.  So we get a call the next day. His non-functioning transplanted kidney has a large mass.  Very large.  Almost certainly malignant (the doctor tells me on the phone, how nice).  So we start the evaluation, he has to see such-and--such doctor, and they're giving us appointments a week or two out.  I'm thinking hey, you know, aren't we in kind of a hurry here?  No, not really.  So after a couple of useless doctors, he ends up with the transplant surgeon preparing for the nephrectomy. All this time, we're thinking he has active cancer. He orders a biopsy to find out what flavor of cancer we're dealing with.  The biopsy comes back - negative.  We are somewhat giddy with relief, which the doctor immediately tamps down with "Hey, we probably just missed the tumor."  Gosh, thanks ever so.

So they proceed with the nephrectomy.  He gets out of the hospital after a few days (and we had to fight for an extra dialysis before discharge because he was so overloaded with fluid).  The followup with the surgeon is scheduled for a week or two later.  At which time he will have the pathology report.  And we're still prepared for cancer treatment.

We show up for the followup, and all we can think of is "pathologyreportpathologyreportpathologyreport".  So we get in, and the doctor makes smalltalk, and examines the incision, and talks about this and that, and I can't process anything because I'm waiting for the news.  And then says "Any questions?"

"Ummmm...path report?"

"Oh yeah.  Well, let's see."  Picks up report.  "Fibrous and adipose tissue.....extensive scarring...<other things>....negative carcinoma...considerable"

"Stop."

"What?"

"Can we just go back a step?"

"...to where?"

"To 'negative carcinoma'.  That part.  Now, I just want to make sure I heard that correctly."

"Yes, that was in there."

"No cancer.  No malignancy.  Did I get that part correct?"

"Yeah."  <long pause> "......I guess I should have led with that, huh?"

"Yeah.  For future reference, you might want to start the whole thing with 'By the way, you don't have cancer.'"

  - rocker

[Jean]

 Just sitting here and shaking my head. How can such a smart person be so dumb?? I am so happy for you that it is non cancerous, so YIPPEE!!!!

[MooseMom]

Oh gosh, what a massive relief!! 

[frankswife]

Frank's surgery for the tumor removal is this Wednesday, March 5. I am scared silly. Even after the surgery is done, it;s still not over til we get the path report on the mass. That can take another two weeks. My heart has been pounding nonstop for the last few weeks, and I've had asthma attacks every single day during that period. I have GOT to calm down but i don't know how.

[Angiepkd]

You poor thing!  I hope the time passes quickly for you and the surgery goes great.  So glad they don't think it's cancer!  I was told by a lovely ER doc that my chest x-Ray showed a mass in two lobes of one lung and that it was most likely lung cancer. Wouldn't release me until I had an appointment with a respiratory oncologist.  Had to wait two weeks to get in to see him. He said it was probably cancer. Did another scan and waited 2 more weeks to get the results.  Brought my husband with me, prepared for the worst, and he says everything looks much better. No follow up required.  That month of waiting was one of the worst times of my life. I don't know why some doctors feel like they need to give an opinion without the test results to confirm.  Sending you calming thoughts!  You can get through this! 

[cassandra]

Lots, and lots of good luck tomorrow for the both of you

               



Love, Cas

[MaryJoe]

I hope frank"s surgery went well, and that his recovery will be swift and uneventful. I know the wait for the path report will be torture for both of you. Hopefully it won't take two weeks for you get the results. I've never been able to understand why oncologists don't have more of a sense of urgency about letting patients know what they are facing after the surgery. Surely they of all people understand the fear and anxiety the word cancer causes in their patients.

Sending lots of hugs for both of you, and of course many prayers for a cancer-free diagnosis. I won't tell you not to worry because we all know that is impossible at this point.
 
 

[frankswife]

Frank's surgery actually went very well. He sailed right through it. It took 2 1/2 hours where they had said it could take as long as 6 hours. He was awake and in little pain right after. The surgeon said it definitely was a tumor, and not a calcified hemorrage we had hoped for. It was completely encapsulated so all they needed to take was the adrenal gland. Now the waiting for the path results. I am grateful for all the gifts we have been given so far along this road.

[cassandra]

Glad all went well with the surgery. We'll keep you both in our thoughts


Lots of more love, and strength for both of you, Cas

[renalwife]

Just my two cents worth:

I, being a retired clinical lab tech who also has tissue lab experience,
cannot understand why it takes 2 weeks to get a
tissue report.

Good news on the successful surgery.


Get well  soon, Henry,

[frankswife]

I dont know why. I asked the surgeon again and again he said 2 weeks. All I can do is pray.

[MooseMom]

I dont know why. I asked the surgeon again and again he said 2 weeks. All I can do is pray.

And we'll be praying right there along with you!

[Jean]

Glad that part of it is behind you now and that Frank is recovering. Looking forward to your post that says, its was benign. Or something else really good.

[billybags]

Thinking about you both. Take care. Sending lots of hugs.