I was hoping to make it up to LA on Sunday to meet up with VALKRYDERGUY but ended up in Palm Springs instead as my father in law was having a kidney removed due to a somewhat accidental discovery of kidney cancer.

He originally was scheduled for prostate surgery since his doctor had detected the early stages of prostate cancer just recently, and while in the hospital some other tests were done. They claim to have detected hepatitis but his doctor didn't buy it. They redid that test and some others the doctor ordered, somewhat out of frustration. And that's when they detected the kidney cancer (and the he does not have hepatitis)! So surgery was still on, but it had gained quite a bit in importance and we decided to make the trip the desert to be with him.

All indications are they caught it early, which is great news because kidney cancer is far, far more fast spreading and lethal than prostate cancer. He goes back for the prostate surgery in a month or so, depending on recovery from this procedure.

 

Holy Wow!

I will add him to the Prayers!

 

I'll keep him in prayers, Mike.

 

My deepest hopes and regards for you and yours.

Max

 

I'm happy that your father is going to be better. You are right about kidney cancer - it can be deadly, and for some reason it is not screened for as rigorously as other cancers since many people know very little about it. My father was unfortunately diagnosed too late for anything to be done, and we wondered how he could have gotten it. [public service announcement follows]: Most causes of kidney cancer are environmental, in that what you do and where you go can cause it. The top four are the typical; asbestos, heavy metal, etc, and SMOKING is the fifth main reason. Kidneys are filters, and whatever carcinogens that get past the lungs end up in the blood which is filtered through the kidneys.

As a sort of similar story, my mother was preparing for a walkathon for diabetes a few years ago and because of her age ('over 21'), her doctor insisted that she undergo a stress test which she promptly failed. She then needed to have an angiogram since the stress test results confounded the doctor. I will never forget the conversation with the doctor afterwards, who asked me how many heart attacks my mom has had. When I replied that she had no heart issues at all, just the diabetes (like all Puerto Ricans, it seems), he responded that 4 of her 5 main coronary arteries were severely clogged and she needed a quadruple ASAP.

Like your dad, my mom went into medical treatment for something completely unrelated to what eventually needed to be done ASAP.

 

Our family will add your father and family to our prayers Mike...

*HUGS*

 

Thanks guys, much appreciated. For the record though, it's my father in law, not my father. Sadly, dad passed away a few years ago, but my wife's father looks like he'll be around for many more years now. We're all very thankful for that!

 

My prayers are with you and your family. IT'S GREAT NEWS that your father is having surgery. Surgery seems to be the only cure for cancer. Our society can make a "blue" pill but no cure for Cancer, MS, CP,etc. Stay strong and positive my friend. 20 Month Cancer Surviver

 

Sorry I meant your father-in-law. But you did marry his daughter........so I guess he's still dad. LOL keep smilin mt friend.

 

Wish him our best, Mike!!!

 

Add my best wishes to the rest.


franc

 

I hope all turns out well...

 

Mike,
I'm just getting caught up after my trip.
I just got home tonight.
I hope your father-in-law gets well and I'm glad that the docs caught his cancer early.
I hope to be back in LA in June for a weekend with my other niece.
My thoughts are with you and the family and maybe we will hook up in June.

Gary