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Author Topic: Abdominal mass  (Read 8512 times)
willowtreewren
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« on: April 30, 2015, 07:52:05 AM »

So, last week we were coming home from a "vacation" of sorts. (We had gone to Maryland to bury my dad's ashes and then spent a day in Washington, DC with our daughter, her husband, and our three grandkids).  :yahoo;

You know how when you are traveling it is easy to get constipated. This was Wednesday when we were on the road and about hour out that morning, I started feeling "uncomfortable." I figured it was simply a bit of "back up" in the system, so at every rest stop I got out and walked to get the system moving again. By the time we got home after an 8 hour drive, I was in serious misery. Tried an enema (Are you friend or enema? Ha!) and even magnesium citrate.  :Kit n Stik;

Thursday I was still in agony and spent the day with a heating pad on my tummy. By Friday, with no relief in the pain, I called my PCP. When I saw her, she suspected a ruptured diverticula and sent me directly from her office to ER, where I ended up in the hospital. After a CT scan which conclusively ruled out the ruptured diverticula, but inconclusively showed a mass in my abdomen, I was admitted. In the middle of the night I had an MRI.  :P

The results of that WERE conclusive. There is a mesenteric mass about 4cm x 3 cm x 3cm in my abdomen.  >:(  It is located exactly where all the blood vessels that feed the abdominal organs converge.  :thumbdown;  I had a biopsy Tuesday and was released yesterday. Pathology results are not yet back, but the mass could be a number of things. The LEAST likely is lymphoma (ugh), or another kind of cancer. If it does turn out to be one of those hopefully unlikely outcomes, I will not have surgery immediately. If lymphoma, there will be NO surgery, just chemotherapy. All the other possibilities point to immediate surgery, which is already scheduled for early Tuesday morning. Because of the location of the mass, I will lose a section of my small intestine. The surgery will be a bit tricky, because they need to maintain blood supply to my organs and get every bit of the mass, plus re-section my intestine. Whew.  :banghead;

I've only had four regular meals since Wednesday at lunch. Eating causes some pretty intense pain. While in the hospital for those 5 days I lost 4 pounds! And this week while I wait for my surgery I am on a full liquid diet. That is until Monday, when I go on clear liquids and take 3 bottles of magnesium citrate to clear out my gut for the upcoming surgery! We want it VERY clean!  :lol;

It has been a trip, but I'm very optimistic about the long-term outcome because we caught this VERY early. I probably WAS constipated and that exacerbated the discomfort and brought this uninvited abdominal guest to my attention. Now we can act to evict him and send him packing! I'm eager to hear the pathology report so we get a better picture on just what kind of visitor we are dealing with! Then we can go forward with the best plan.  :boxing;

There you have it!

 :flower;

Aleta
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Wife to Carl, who has PKD.
Mother to Meagan, who has PKD.
Partner for NxStage HD August 2008 - February 2011.
Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
Deanne
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« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2015, 07:59:22 AM »

Yikes! What a nasty surprise! I'm sorry you have to go through this. When will you get the biopsy results?
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Deanne

1972: Diagnosed with "chronic kidney disease" (no specific diagnosis)
1994: Diagnosed with FSGS
September 2011: On transplant list with 15 - 20% function
September 2013: ~7% function. Started PD dialysis
February 11, 2014: Transplant from deceased donor. Creatinine 0.57 on 2/13/2014
MooseMom
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« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2015, 08:06:05 AM »

You are such a warrior!  :boxing;

I'm eager to hear your biopsy results, so please let us know when you can.

Lots of good thoughts coming your way...
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
Zach
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« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2015, 08:20:41 AM »

 :cuddle;
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Uninterrupted in-center (self-care) hemodialysis since 1982 -- 34 YEARS on March 3, 2016 !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No transplant.  Not yet, anyway.  Only decided to be listed on 11/9/06. Inactive at the moment.  ;)
I make films.

Just the facts: 70.0 kgs. (about 154 lbs.)
Treatment: Tue-Thur-Sat   5.5 hours, 2x/wk, 6 hours, 1x/wk
Dialysate flow (Qd)=600;  Blood pump speed(Qb)=315
Fresenius Optiflux-180 filter--without reuse
Fresenius 2008T dialysis machine
My KDOQI Nutrition (+/ -):  2,450 Calories, 84 grams Protein/day.

"Living a life, not an apology."
cassandra
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« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2015, 02:38:31 PM »

How 'lucky' you noticed it so early, and that your PCP reacted so proactively. Lots of strength and luck next Tuesday.

And lots of love, Cas

     :cuddle;
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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left

1983 high proteinloss in urine, chemo, stroke,coma, dialysis
1984 double nephrectomy
1985 transplant from dad
1998 lost dads kidney, start PD
2003 peritineum burst, back to hemo
2012 start Nxstage home hemo
2020 start Gambro AK96

       still on waitinglist, still ok I think
noahvale
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« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2015, 02:49:29 PM »

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« Last Edit: September 23, 2015, 08:47:24 AM by noahvale » Logged
monrein
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Might as well smile

« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2015, 02:55:05 PM »

Many people will be thinking of you as you get this sorted out. Sending all good thoughts your way for the least serious of these options.
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Pyelonephritis (began at 8 mos old)
Home haemo 1980-1985 (self-cannulated with 15 gauge sharps)
Cadaveric transplant 1985
New upper-arm fistula April 2008
Uldall-Cook catheter inserted May 2008
Haemo-dialysis, self care unit June 2008
(2 1/2 hours X 5 weekly)
Self-cannulated, 15 gauge blunts, buttonholes.
Living donor transplant (sister-in law Kathy) Feb. 2009
First failed kidney transplant removed Apr.  2009
Second trx doing great so far...all lab values in normal ranges
willowtreewren
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« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2015, 04:24:39 PM »

My PCP made an unofficial visit while I was "incarcerated" this week. She and I go way back as I taught her kids. Anyway, her office called today, asking me to come back in. When I said that I didn't have the pathology reports, yet, I heard the receptionist talking with my doc and she said to tell me that she would GET THEM and have them ready for me when I see her on Monday. I love my PCP!!!!

When I know anything, I'll pass it on!

 :2thumbsup;

Aleta
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Wife to Carl, who has PKD.
Mother to Meagan, who has PKD.
Partner for NxStage HD August 2008 - February 2011.
Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
cassandra
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When all else fails run in circles, shout loudly

« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2015, 04:12:02 AM »




     :grouphug;       :grouphug;         :flower;
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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left

1983 high proteinloss in urine, chemo, stroke,coma, dialysis
1984 double nephrectomy
1985 transplant from dad
1998 lost dads kidney, start PD
2003 peritineum burst, back to hemo
2012 start Nxstage home hemo
2020 start Gambro AK96

       still on waitinglist, still ok I think
willowtreewren
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« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2015, 08:42:20 AM »

Here is my outstanding news:

There is absolutely NO cancer evident in my uninvited abdominal "guest."  :yahoo; :2thumbsup; :clap; :thumbup;

Surgery to "evict" it is set for Tuesday, with a hospital stay of 3-5 days. Complete recovery is expected to take 3-6 weeks.

But I'm a fighter.  :boxing; :boxing;  I expect my recovery to be on the short end of that equation. I'm always a model patient  :cheer: and I get up and walking as much as possible as soon as possible. Walking is the shortest path to recovery!

I am just so relieved that it isn't cancer!  :bandance; :flower; :cheer:

Happy, happy!

 :flower; :flower; :flower;

Aleta
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Wife to Carl, who has PKD.
Mother to Meagan, who has PKD.
Partner for NxStage HD August 2008 - February 2011.
Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
Deanne
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« Reply #10 on: May 01, 2015, 09:14:43 AM »

 :bandance;

Thank you for the good news! I hope your surgery goes smoothly. I fully believe you're going to surprise your medical team with a quick recovery.
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Deanne

1972: Diagnosed with "chronic kidney disease" (no specific diagnosis)
1994: Diagnosed with FSGS
September 2011: On transplant list with 15 - 20% function
September 2013: ~7% function. Started PD dialysis
February 11, 2014: Transplant from deceased donor. Creatinine 0.57 on 2/13/2014
cassandra
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When all else fails run in circles, shout loudly

« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2015, 10:29:17 AM »

That IS good news!

 :2thumbsup;


Good luck next Tuesday, you're probably out after 2 days.

Love, Cas
Logged

I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left

1983 high proteinloss in urine, chemo, stroke,coma, dialysis
1984 double nephrectomy
1985 transplant from dad
1998 lost dads kidney, start PD
2003 peritineum burst, back to hemo
2012 start Nxstage home hemo
2020 start Gambro AK96

       still on waitinglist, still ok I think
Rerun
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« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2015, 10:37:59 AM »

Don't let them bring you a full meal for 5 days.  Or at least question it.  My kitchen didn't get the memo and I ate 2 days after and my bowel split and I ended up having emergency surgery and a colostomy for 9 months.  Just clear liquids.  It needs time to heal.
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Zach
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"Still crazy after all these years."

« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2015, 10:49:30 AM »

Here is my outstanding news:

There is absolutely NO cancer evident in my uninvited abdominal "guest."  :yahoo; :2thumbsup; :clap; :thumbup;

Surgery to "evict" it is set for Tuesday, with a hospital stay of 3-5 days. Complete recovery is expected to take 3-6 weeks.

But I'm a fighter.  :boxing; :boxing;  I expect my recovery to be on the short end of that equation. I'm always a model patient  :cheer: and I get up and walking as much as possible as soon as possible. Walking is the shortest path to recovery!

I am just so relieved that it isn't cancer!  :bandance; :flower; :cheer:

Happy, happy!

 :flower; :flower; :flower;

Aleta

This is excellent!
 :beer1; :beer1; :beer1;
Logged

Uninterrupted in-center (self-care) hemodialysis since 1982 -- 34 YEARS on March 3, 2016 !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No transplant.  Not yet, anyway.  Only decided to be listed on 11/9/06. Inactive at the moment.  ;)
I make films.

Just the facts: 70.0 kgs. (about 154 lbs.)
Treatment: Tue-Thur-Sat   5.5 hours, 2x/wk, 6 hours, 1x/wk
Dialysate flow (Qd)=600;  Blood pump speed(Qb)=315
Fresenius Optiflux-180 filter--without reuse
Fresenius 2008T dialysis machine
My KDOQI Nutrition (+/ -):  2,450 Calories, 84 grams Protein/day.

"Living a life, not an apology."
Simon Dog
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« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2015, 11:59:41 AM »

There is absolutely NO cancer evident in my uninvited abdominal "guest."  :yahoo; :2thumbsup; :clap; :thumbup;
Congratulations.
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MooseMom
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« Reply #15 on: May 01, 2015, 01:12:23 PM »

Oh, this is such great news!  There are fewer things that feel better than having your worst fears go up in smoke.

Do something nice and celebratory this weekend!
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"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
willowtreewren
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« Reply #16 on: May 01, 2015, 01:14:29 PM »

Don't worry, Rerun. I am all over the clear liquids!  :2thumbsup;

It was funny the day I was released this week. They brought me my "liquid" diet breakfast and the nutrition helper said, "Aren't you getting out today?" I answered that I was. She replied, "I'm sorry they sent you a liquid meal." Then I explained that I would be eating a liquid diet all this week while I was out!

 :2thumbsup;

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes. I'm also confident that I will nail this and get out sooner rather than later.  :bow;

MM, living life to the fullest is celebration enough!  :yahoo;

Aleta
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Wife to Carl, who has PKD.
Mother to Meagan, who has PKD.
Partner for NxStage HD August 2008 - February 2011.
Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
PrimeTimer
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« Reply #17 on: May 01, 2015, 07:32:43 PM »

Glad you don't have cancer. Good luck with surgery. You're right about getting up and walking after surgery. I know, been there, done that. The sooner, the better. It helps get things moving, including yourself out the door and back home. It might be painful and exhausting so just do it in 15-30 minute increments and work your way up from there. If you need pain meds, ask them to make your IV drip "mobile" and then wheel it around with you on your walks.
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Husband had ESRD with Type I Diabetes -Insulin Dependent.
I was his care-partner for home hemodialysis using Nxstage December 2013-July 2016.
He went back to doing in-center July 2016.
After more than 150 days of being hospitalized with complications from Diabetes, my beloved husband's heart stopped and he passed away 06-08-21. He was only 63.
okarol
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« Reply #18 on: May 02, 2015, 01:16:22 AM »

 :flower; :flower; :flower; GREAT NEWS!
Good luck with your surgery, hope everything comes out ok :)
Yes, be sure someone keeps you from eating. Jenna was on clear fluids only following her bladder augmentation using bowel material.
Every 4 hours a food tray was delivered to her room in error. Luckily I was there because she was so out of it on pain meds she might have eaten it!
 :2thumbsup;
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Admin for IHateDialysis 2008 - 2014, retired.
Jenna is our daughter, bad bladder damaged her kidneys.
Was on in-center hemodialysis 2003-2007.
7 yr transplant lost due to rejection.
She did PD Sept. 2013 - July 2017
Found a swap living donor using social media, friends, family.
New kidney in a paired donation swap July 26, 2017.
Her story ---> https://www.facebook.com/WantedKidneyDonor
Please watch her video: http://youtu.be/D9ZuVJ_s80Y
Living Donors Rock! http://www.livingdonorsonline.org -
News video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-7KvgQDWpU
Angiepkd
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« Reply #19 on: May 05, 2015, 02:32:54 PM »

Great news!  I am sure you will heal up in no time!   :cheer:
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PKD diagnosis at 17
Cancer May 2011, surgery and no further treatment but placed on 2 year wait for transplant
October 2011 first fistula in left wrist
April 2012 second fistula in upper arm, disconnect of wrist
January 2013, stage 5 ESRD
March 2013 training with NxStage home hemo
April 2013 at home with NxStage
April 2013 fistula revision to reduce flow
May 2013 advised to have double nephrectomy, liver cyst ablation and hernia repair. Awaiting insurance approval to begin transplant testing. Surgery in June.
June 2013 bilateral nephrectomy.
August 2013 finishing testing for transplant, 4 potential donors being tissue typed.
January 2014 husband approved to donate kidney for me
March 4th 2014 received transplant from awesome hubby. Named the new bean FK (fat kidney) lol!  So far we are doing great!
willowtreewren
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« Reply #20 on: May 10, 2015, 05:58:02 AM »

Well, I had my surgery on Tuesday. Things didn't go quite as planned. The mass was stuck "like Velcro" to both my small intestines and my colon, so they removed about 8 inches of the former and a bit of the later. That shouldn't cause any long term problems. The pathology report was interesting. The mass consisted of pancreatic tissue (even though it wasn't near the pancreas) and had become inflamed, thus causing the pain. The day after surgery my bladder became paralyzed. When it became full to point of excruciating pain, they ve been back on solid cathed me to let it drain. But before long, it happened again. this time they left the catheter in. That night I slept like a baby! It was the only night since surgery that I have slept well!

I've been back on solid food for 72 hours now without a BM. They actually let me go home from the hospital yesterday afternoon without that milestone. I really think my gut is also paralyzed. I've been on Colace, had two doses of Miralax, and a suppository with no luck in the area of "movement"! I'm switching back to liquid diet, because there just ain't any more room in there!  :puke;

I'm drinking lots of fluids and have a heating pad on my tummy (which makes the staples pretty hot!) I'll see the doctor for follow-up tomorrow, so maybe I'll get some relief then, if not sooner!

It has been a trip, but I will come out on the other side of it all right.

Aleta
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Wife to Carl, who has PKD.
Mother to Meagan, who has PKD.
Partner for NxStage HD August 2008 - February 2011.
Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
Zach
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"Still crazy after all these years."

« Reply #21 on: May 10, 2015, 07:09:23 AM »

I'm so glad you're home!
I hope you have a BM soon.
  :-*
Logged

Uninterrupted in-center (self-care) hemodialysis since 1982 -- 34 YEARS on March 3, 2016 !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No transplant.  Not yet, anyway.  Only decided to be listed on 11/9/06. Inactive at the moment.  ;)
I make films.

Just the facts: 70.0 kgs. (about 154 lbs.)
Treatment: Tue-Thur-Sat   5.5 hours, 2x/wk, 6 hours, 1x/wk
Dialysate flow (Qd)=600;  Blood pump speed(Qb)=315
Fresenius Optiflux-180 filter--without reuse
Fresenius 2008T dialysis machine
My KDOQI Nutrition (+/ -):  2,450 Calories, 84 grams Protein/day.

"Living a life, not an apology."
willowtreewren
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My two beautifull granddaughters

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« Reply #22 on: May 10, 2015, 01:39:56 PM »

Good news! I actually had a normal "movement" earlier today. There is still much waiting to come out, but I'm immensely relieved!  :2thumbsup;

At least I know my guts are still working.  :shy;

Aleta
Logged

Wife to Carl, who has PKD.
Mother to Meagan, who has PKD.
Partner for NxStage HD August 2008 - February 2011.
Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
Zach
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Posts: 4820


"Still crazy after all these years."

« Reply #23 on: May 10, 2015, 02:13:23 PM »

 :beer1; :beer1; :beer1;
Logged

Uninterrupted in-center (self-care) hemodialysis since 1982 -- 34 YEARS on March 3, 2016 !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No transplant.  Not yet, anyway.  Only decided to be listed on 11/9/06. Inactive at the moment.  ;)
I make films.

Just the facts: 70.0 kgs. (about 154 lbs.)
Treatment: Tue-Thur-Sat   5.5 hours, 2x/wk, 6 hours, 1x/wk
Dialysate flow (Qd)=600;  Blood pump speed(Qb)=315
Fresenius Optiflux-180 filter--without reuse
Fresenius 2008T dialysis machine
My KDOQI Nutrition (+/ -):  2,450 Calories, 84 grams Protein/day.

"Living a life, not an apology."
MooseMom
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Posts: 11325


« Reply #24 on: May 11, 2015, 10:13:26 AM »

I'm so glad your surgery went well and that things are "moving along" nicely!!
Logged

"Eggs are so inadequate, don't you think?  I mean, they ought to be able to become anything, but instead you always get a chicken.  Or a duck.  Or whatever they're programmed to be.  You never get anything interesting, like regret, or the middle of last week."
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