I'm okay but ...

[Ian-Vicki]

Hello to all our FGRV friends. Got home for our "big" 4-month trip in December with a bit of a sore back and finally got around to seeing my doctor last week. It turns out I have kidney cancer and will be having my right kidney removed sometime soon. Good news is it's classified as stage one, fully-contained cancer, which means surgery should take care of it all. Not to worry, we hope to be at a gathering in April.
Vicki

[Bobbie Mayer]

My dad had that, found very early, and he lived for another ten years until he died of unrelated causes.

[Greg H]

My mom laid in bed for three month saying her back hurt, when she did go to the hospital they found cancer in her lower back and spine, she passed away Christmas morning 2004 after a very short stay in the nursing home. Early detection is the key, good luck Vicki.

[Alf S.]

Hi: Ian-Vicki... Glad to know you're back safe. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I promise I won't complain about my kidney stones ever again!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Robin G]

I am sorry you got such a diagnosis. But certainly glad to hear it was caught early. Take care of yourself, and you will soon be back to enjoying your travels. Thoughts and Prayers!

[CliveAlive]

PM sent.

[Lizbeth]

Sending good thoughts to you and the doctors that take care of you.

[Sharon G]

Vicki, I am so glad for the early diagnosis!!! Just said a prayer for you.

[james kent]

There's a bit of good news amoung the bad. Take care of yourself and keep us informed. Where would you have it done? In Victoria or on the mainland? God speed.

[Vickie B.]

Prayers from me!!!

[theresa p]

vicki....so happy it's stage one!! that is excellent news---the good with the bad---and dennis and i will be keeping you even more in our thoughts...
take care.
hugs
t

[Casita Greg]

Ian and Vicki,
Glad to hear your trip went reasonably well.

Vicki, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it's good they caught it early. As a fellow cancer survivor (stage 3 neck cancer-4 years cancer free) I know first hand what an ordeal it could be going through surgery/treatment. I'm pulling for you to make a full and speedy recovery.

My prayers and best wishes to you both in this trying time.
Greg

[Gina D.]

another survivor here.. stage 1 lung cancer. I am 8 years out with no recurrence. I'm done.

You'll never miss the body part, trust me.

Stage one is good, it'll be an annoyance for awhile, but soon you'll say "Good ridance!"

[Bobbie Mayer]

You might talk to your surgeon about surgery options; a friend of mine is a urology surgeon and he does a laparascopic kidney removal- it still needs one larger cut for the kidney itself but it cuts down on recovery time. It sounds like it is becoming more standard to do it that way (Dad had the huge incision) so maybe that is the plan already. And a colleague of mine (same situation, early detection) had the traditional surgery like Dad's and was ready to come back to work in about four weeks (doctor made him stay out six, though.)

Dad, on the other hand, heard, "Six months before you can lift anything" and decided if he put an electric winch on the boat trailer he could take the boat out himself anyway. And two weeks after surgery his friends took him to the Seattle Boat Show and nearly killed him! So plan on taking it easy and not overdoing even when you feel better.

[Carmen D]

Ian-Vicki, you are in out thoughts and prayers. Stay strong.

Carmen D

[Terry R.]

Vicki, praying for an easy surgery and a speedy recovery. Seems early enough to cure the cancer and get you out on the road for the summer camping season. Terry

[Dave and Kathie]

Ian and Vicki,

So sorry to hear your news but glad you caught it early and have a good prognosis! Agree with Bobbie Mayer, they've made huge advances in laparoscopic surgery! Take care and keep us posted, our thoughts and prayers are with you!

Dave & Kathie

PS Dave says to tell Ian he'll buy lunch in April

[David & Leslie]

Dear Ian & Vicki - Glad you are safely returned from what must have been a delightful adventure.

Thank goodness for the early detection and a hopeful outlook. Prayers ongoing ... for surgery and swift healing. L 'n D

[Anne H]

My prayers for both Ian and Vicki - hoping that you have an easy surgery and swift recovery. Looking forward to seeing you both in April.

[Karalyn]

Vicki, Prayers from another cancer survivor here (double breast cancer). Hopefully with stage 1 they have caught it early, can get it all out and you will be fine and camping for many years to come. I believe you will do just fine.
Keep us informed on how you are feeling. I am sure you must be scared right now, but There are lots of people walking around with only one kidney. Once surgery is behind, you can relax and enjoy life again.
Paryin for a fast and easy recovery!