Must be the season.

By pure chance a routine CT scan to check on airbag progress after my bout of double Christmas pneumonia unearthed the unexpected...a "mass" or lesion on a kidney

An early capture though, at 5 cm or so it's modest, and they see up to 20cm

Anyway it's nephrectomy by laparoscopy for me on 16th April (must take in a scrabble board) as they want to whip it out asap.

And it's right at the beginning of "project car" season

Mustn't grumble, the entire health team from the hospital down to my super-conscientious GP has my back as they say and have been exemplary in their cohesion and support. Nice to be able to give them deserved credit.

That’s good to hear that they are good. Generally, I’ve found these teams excellent.

Hope you are up and about soon after Simon, maybe i am getting older, but im seeing so many of my friends and family come down with the dreaded C. fingers, toes, eyes crossed its just a benine thing

Best wishes, Simon. Yours sounds more serious than mine; I have the 'urgent' scan requested at the beginning of the month, er, next wednesday.

Best wishes Simon, get well soon!

Best wishes Simon for a speedy recovery.

A matter of perspective maybe Neil, yours are excruciating whereas I would be none the wiser.....however it is said that "whatever it is" - and they've been somewhat cautious with giving it an exact description - looks self-contained and in theory should be dealt with without collateral damage.

Simon - my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Hope everything goes well, Simon.

I hope you make a speedy recovery Simon.

I had this procedure about 18 months ago, I was back to work within 2 weeks albeit taking it very easy, I hope your recovery goes just as well!

Get well soon Simon, there's been a few health issues on here of late right enough.

Best wishes for full recovery Simon!

A check to see what it is - and if there is a diagnosis - important to remember that there are many forms of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) and you can have an impact in kidney function - but it can be stopped from getting worse and many people can have kidney issues- that after treatment don't worsen significantly.

Chin firmly up sir- Project Car Season will start as normal I'm sure!

Great that this has been caught - best wishes,

MM

And best wishes to barnacle too- same thing Barnacle - I am sure that all will be well!

Regards

MM

I finally got my urgent scan yesterday... it seems I have at least three - one in each kidney and one in transit at the moment... will be seeing the doc tomorrow night.

Ouch....would these not be treatable with ultra-sound?

Turns out they're small enough that they should find their way out on their own, review in a year, expect some eye-watering pain at some stage... it seems the little ones cause the pain as they move around; the big ones just sit there.

That sounds like painful but positive news Barnacle,

I know on occasion they can put a claw tool up your urethra to pull lodged stones out.....ouch!

Ultrasound and a lot of water sounds far better to me.

Will they allow you to float any via ale rather then water? Self medicating AND supporting local brewers....win win for everyone?

MM

Flood 'em with water, have some painkillers handy.....

You've obviously already reviewed your diet and fluid intake.

Sounds like you are in for a painful call of nature.

I have read somewhere that vinegar/lemon juice/anything acidic can help dissolve them if you can stomach drinking that stuff... I think I would be trying it rather than the alternative!

I too have read the drinking acid trick, but not yet an explanation of (a) how to avoid damaging your throat while drinking it or (b) how this mild acid is going to get past the much stronger acid (hydrochloric) in your stomach... so for now, it's back to the diluted orange squash.

I have also read that to much coke can be an issue (the phosphorous) which is rather a shame since I'm a software writer...