Merry fucking Christmas to me!

[TheBigFatMermaid]

I will apologise in advance for the self pitying ramble this is likely to end up being.

I went to the doctor 9 weeks ago with what I was pretty sure was a hernia. I kept feeling a massive lump in the upper part of my stomach. He could not feel it, so ordered tests, initially a blood test and an ultra sound scan. These both showed kidney damage. I then had a CT scan and an MRI, after having a fasting blood test. All of these showed that my left kidney is damaged to the point of no function but my right kidney has some damage. There was narrowing to the tubes of both kidneys.

I recently had a stent fitted, so help the tube to my right kidney and help prevent further damage.

I had a gynae referral, as the suspect some inflammation in the pelvis is causing the narrowing to the tubes, which is in turn causing the kidney damage.

I was feeling lucky that it was found and treated before total kidney failure and happy I had a gynae appointment to get to the bottom of it towards the end of January.

This morning I received an appointment for a gynae oncology appointment, very quickly in the new year! Mind is now in overdrive! Trying hard to chill and enjoy time with the DC and DP but mind is going over and over the fact that I now have an appointment with oncology!

Oh and I do have a hernia!

Oh my goodness. That's a lot to take in. It always seems worse to get bad news at this time of year. Wishing you health and happiness in 2019, I hope whatever treatment is ahead of you is successful.

That's really tough on you. I hope everything goes well.

Didn't you have any other signs of kidney damage? My brother had problems with his kidneys as a child and he had blood in his urine and swollen ankles.

Don't take this wrong way but at least you have qualified people looking at it. It's rubbish but you have been seen and you are booked in - Oh I know it isn't great ( underestimate of the year ) but take heart from the fact that those qualified have you booked in. I am sure you cannot completely but if they had wanted you in the next day I am sure you would have been booked in so do try to relax a bit over Christmas.

I am sure that has not helped but all best wishes to you. It's worrying but it sounds like they think you will be fine over Christmas so try your best to think of that. I hope you have a peaceful time if you can

Lucky thank you.

Hollow, no, no signs at all. I was thinking it had been a lucky find and I was all more or less fixed. I have ad no swelling of my ankles or anything.

Basilisk, yes, I am lucky it was found and that investigations and treatment are happening. I have not had to wait long. To be honest, when the GP could not feel the lump I expected him to dismiss it and do nothing. He is a very thorough GP though.

Hi, I’m currently having tests etc due to what they think is endo. I have a 10cm cystic mass in my pelvis, had mri now need ct. Have had bloods.

Anyway, when I got my first consultant letter after first ultrasounds and first lot of bloods, the letter said gynaecology oncologist but turned out that was his title/specialism, not necessarily that that’s what they wanted me for, so please try not to focus on that!

Easier said than done I agree, I’m still waiting on results from bloods I had done on the 5th, despite me chasing.

Pink thank you, that is very reassuring. Endo is shit! Have you got children?

Nope. No kids. Been trying for 2 years after having the implant. That thing was a godsend!
It’s taking 16 years for me to even get a referral, I’d just been given pills and told to crack on. Finally have a doc who listened but now I’ve got a fucking huge cystic mass and will likely need surgery. Still not been given effective pain relief though and it’s a whole other ball game when that referral with that word drops on your door mat isn’t it, I completely understand that.

I have three kids, so consider myself in a better position than you. If you have done one thing tonight, it is making me feel lucky again!

Rotten it has taken so long for a referral for you.

Another one here who had an urgent gynae/oncology referral - including an oncology nurse at my first appointment - but it was endometriosis. I'd had my kids so opted for a hysterectomy as it was quite bad and I had cysts on both ovaries. So please try not to worry too much (impossible, I know) and good luck.

Glad to help, it’s killer waiting when they shove “oncology” in there.
Endo is horrific. Nobody ever believes me, but I reckon child birth would be about the same as the pain I go through each month. Weirdly it’s not heavy though....who knows.

I reckon you are right about the pain and in child birth, at least you get good pain relief, like gas and air!

Lol very true! Merry Christmas, hope you can put it to the back of your mind for the day.

Just popped on to say thank you so much, the reassuring words on here have helped me so much. I have managed to have a good day.

I’d also say Gynae Onc is probably the speciality of the consultant you’ll be seeing, rather than because they have concerns. Perhaps feedback to the hospital that letters need to be clearer - they often forget the fear having this come through the door causes but should (with feedback) amend the letters which go out. Best of luck!

Well, I went, it was fine. I had an appointment with gynae for later in the month, but they wanted me seen quicker and this was the quickest way for me to be seen.

They have ruled out a gynaecological cause for my kidney problems.

That’s brilliant!

Was just looking back over old posts, really pleased for you and glad that you had a good Christmas after all.

In case anyone is still interested, my blood results for kidney function were 50, which is stage 3 failure, I understand. Normal is 60-100. Mine has crept up to 58, with potential to go up further, I am having monthly blood tests to monitor this and the stent is going to be changed in 4 months time.

I hope it keeps improving.