Kidney Stones

[MJsHusband]

It looks like MJ is on her second round of kidney stones since April. Are others having issues with producing kidney stones? Her oncologist has ordered a CT scan to make sure that's what it is but she is having pain in her lower right front side, just below her ribs, with fever. She got an infected ureter as well in the last go round. I'm guess the chemo (Xeloda) is playing a role in creating these stones? She is very frustrated with this new stone occurrence.

Thanks,
Greg

[tricia keegan]

Hi Greg and thanks for the update although I'm sorry to read MJ is dealing with this again, my hubby had them and I know how painful they are so please tell her my thoughts are with her. :)

[MJsHusband]

Thanks Tricia. I'm just hoping it is a kidney stone again and nothing else.

[Pray]

I'm praying its nothing els also, Gods blessings to you both!

[StephN]

Hi -
Just checking into see if MJ had her scan.

Really do hope it is the stones acting up again. Maybe she has to change something in her diet if she is now prone to forming kidney stones?

[karen z]

Sorry to hear about the pain and also hoping it is (once again) kidney stones. Please let MJ know she is in our thoughts.

[MJsHusband]

Thanks for your kind words. MJ will have her cat scan tomorrow. She should also get the results from the urologist and blood work tomorrow as well. She's down to her final 4 days of Xeloda. This has been the chemo with the worst side effects for her so far. It has really taken a toll on her. This kidney stone (or whatever) issue on top of that is certainly not helping. Hopefully the antibiotics will do their magic soon and she will get some relief.

[Vicki revised]

Greg:
Tomorrow I am having lithotripsy for the 3rd time to remove the 5th kidney stone I've had since dx 15 mons ago. The previous stones were uric acid based (chemo) from TCH, not dietary as most are.

Prior to dx I had only had 1 stone 28 yrs ago. Since dx I've also had numerous UTI infections but the differences are I run fever with the uti and have intense back (kidney) pain with the stones. I did have 2 stones without any pain or other symptoms--they showed up on a regular PET scan.

Lithotripsy is usually a outpatient procedure at the hospital done by the urologist. If a stint has to be inserted to move the stone pieces along that involves staying overnight but the need for it can't be determined prior to the procedure.

Yes, kidney stone pain is pretty close to that of contractions during child birth so I'm looking forward to getting this stone out! I haven't discovered ways to prevent the stones (other than stopping chemo which I will not consider) and neither the urologist or oncologist have tips either.

If MJ's scan shows a stone I'd easily recommend having the procedure versus enduring any more pain hoping it will pass on its own!

[MJsHusband]

MJ had a CT scan this morning and does not have a kidney stone. They found a 3 x 2 inch liquid-filled cyst. It "may be" a lymphocele, which is a condition involving lymph fluid build up due to lymph node damage that can occur during a major surgery, such as her hysterectomy. The plan is for her to go in next Friday to have it drained if it is a lymphocele. It will be biopsied to ensure there is no spreading of cancer involved. If it is another kind of cyst, I'm sure it will need to be removed. We just don't know for sure what it is yet. There were a lot of malignant tumors removed during her hysterectomy, in the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and quite a few in lymph nodes so we want to be on the safe side. Thanks for all your comments. It will be a a nervous week wondering what the biopsy results will be. ~Greg

[Vicki revised]

Have they given her something to ease the pain in the meantime?

[MJsHusband]

She has Oxycontin but has only been using it to sleep. She hates to feel "doped up" so uses it sparingly. She's found one position lying on the floor with her back on a bean bag where there's hardly any pain. So, she spends a lot of time there. She takes ibuprofen for the fevers she's been waking up to in the mornings. That's probably providing some pain benefit as well.

I was so happy that her blood came back normal with no elevated liver enzymes. I was nervous about it recurring in her liver.

~Greg

[KsGal]

Im happy it's a lymphocele and not a recurrence. Im just so sorry she is in so much pain. Lots of prayers and positive energy coming your way for an all clear with the biopsy on the fluid. Please keep us updated. ((hugs))

[Pray]

You are so good to your wife! Mj must be one beautiful woman. Your a very kind, caring and compationate man. I share your happiness in the good blood tests! I think of you both often and I'm always hoping and praying for you both. Gods blessings

[jacqueline1102]

Hello Greg (and MJ),

Your wife and I have the exact diagnosis (IBC: ER/PR negative and Her2+++ with a spot on the liver. My husband and I were married on July 24, 2011 and I was diagnosed in October. We honeymooned in Costa Rica. Amazing place. We are also in our forties. I wish you two all the best. I am truly blessed to have an amazing man who has been my rock during all of this. Just as you have been there for your wife. If you ever wish to ask questions of myself or my husband we would be glad to chat with you.

Take good care and enjoy the rest of this beautiful weekend.

Jackie

[MJsHusband]

KsGal- It may be a lymphocene but we won't know until Friday just what it is for sure. It makes sense due to her hysterectomy that it could be a lympocene. I'm hoping!

Pray - Thanks.She doesn't like to go on these sites so I'm on here for her. I'm trying to find out information on how to best help her get through this. Sometimes I wonder if others think I shouldn't be on here because I'm not the one with the diagnosis. I'm thankful that I get the responses that I do for questions that are bugging me.

Jackie - Wow, such a similar diagnosis. I'd be interested in whether your treatment plan has been similar as well. MJ was diagnosed in August 2010. We got engaged on Christmas Eve 2010. So, treatment has been a big part of our life from before engagement through marriage. I sure hope we get a break so that we can just enjoy being married. We have 4 kids (age range from 10 to 16) between us from previous marriages so they can be a handful too. I'm hoping for a long period of time with no chemo. She so deserves it....

Thanks all who have responded. ~ Greg

[NEDenise]

Greg,
I think I speak for most, if not all, when I say you are most welcome here! You and MJ seem so young, and so much in love...I'm praying you have several more decades to cherish each other.
Best of everything this Friday,
Please, keep us posted on how MJ is feeling! (and you too)
Denise

[MJsHusband]

Thanks Denise. MJ is taking her final 6 Xeloda pills today. She actually flew out to Ohio for work yesterday and will return Thursday. It is amazing that she pushes on through the pain she is having and the bad effects the Xeloda has had on her. She says this current pain is worse that the kidney stone pain she had before, which was considerable. Of course she didn't actually pass the stone as I've heard that is a horrible pain. She scheduled her biopsy for Friday to fit in with her work schedule this week. I hope she can continue to be as strong as she has been. I doubt that I could be as strong.

~Greg

[yanyan]

Hi Greg

I hope everything goes well with the biopsy on Friday and that your wife is still NED. It is amazing how strong people can be in circumstances like this. My boyfriend said the same thing that he didn't think he could handle it if it were him. Ofcourse i wish he never has to deal with what i am dealing with. The fight with cancer is a marathon. It takes courage, strength, belief and willingness to step back to recharge our body. Cancer may run ahead of us occasionally, however it does not mean cancer will win the race.