Hey everybody! After ten days in the hospital I am home and on the mend! They ended up taking 36 (yes, that is not a typo) tumors and lesions off of my left kidney. It was a 9 hour surgery and my incision is from my back and almost to my belly button. I did really well with the surgery and was on my feet gimping around the hospital the very next day.

Then there was a complication where I would spike fevers to about 103. They would give me tylenol, the fever would break, but then it would slowly creep back up. This would happen 2 to 3 times a day. My surgeons decided it was too dangerous to send me home since I live around 7 hours away from the hospital I go to.

Many days and tests later revealed I have a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my lung) that was causing the fever. I'm thankful they found the embolism before sending me home because they can be fatal. To get my body to naturally dissolve the clot I now have to get two shots a day in my stomach of a strong blood thinner called Lovenox. This is one instance where it is nice to have a girlfriend in nursing school...no way I could give myself those shots, lol. The clot should be gone after 6 months of injections.

Other than that everything is going well. Just relaxing as much as possible and trying to catch up on many lost hours of sleep. I appreciate the concern and prayers. It really means a lot. I go back to the hospital in 3 months for my after surgery check up and at that time will know how much function I have left in the organ but as it stands my surgeon says it looks wonderful and I should retain at least 80%.

I am very lucky.

I wish you a speedy recovery !! sounds like you've been through a bad time,we never know whats round the corner...

Glad to hear things are working out. Sometimes it seems there are forces that try to take us away and for some reason, we pull through to see many more days. You are a miracle, my friend :)~

get well soon mate

Glad you made it, embolism is a serious thing, without the tumors. Get well soon bud.

LOL, No I'm only 30 years old and kidney cancer is usually an older person's illness. I have a rare genetic illness called Von Hippel Lindau that causes tumors to grow in various organs but mainly the kidneys,spinal cord,eyes and brain. The tumors become cancer in the kidneys first so they make sure to take them out before it spreads. Your question did give me a good laugh though, lol. Thanks everybody for the well wishes and I must say my pain killers are primo, hehe.

Goodness gracious, you have been through a corner of Hell! God bless you! I'm thankful you are on the mend and home again! Your spirit is good, and obviously you are also thankful for the good care you were able to receive! Take good care of yourself! We want to see you around here for a long time!
This is a painting of Gardenias by Shonne Farrell (my sister).. a "Get well soon bouquet" for you!

I'm wishing you a good and speedy recovery !

Wishing you a Speedy Recovery mate... Get well soon :-)

get well soon buddy.

Wish you good luck