u/pilotpenpoet

Since I am recuperating from surgery and will be home a few weeks, I will finally have time to blow up my kitchen.

I’m a prospective convert and I know nothing about making challah bread or any bread for that matter. I’ve just good at cookies and cakes. I’m also hoping to learn to make a babka since I had that a lot because my grandmother was a 1st generation Polish-American.

Soooooo, while I look around this sub more (great recipes in general!), do you have any tips for beginners and then nights on what you wish you knew when you were first learning? Also, what do you do with all your mess-ups so you don’t waste anything?

Hi everyone,

My partial nephrectomy is in three days, on Wednesday, 8/12. I'm hoping I have all I need. I'm working remotely at home these last three days, so I will be able to prep on my breaks. The PN is laparoscopic robotic-assisted.

For the hospital, I am wearing hard-soled slide-on slippers, loose drawstring pants, a zippy jacket or a loose dress to throw over my head. I'm packing an envelope of my ID, insurance cards and medication list. Will also have a long charge cord, glasses case, my iPhone, and spirometer.

I'm food prepping easy-to-heat and easy-to-digest foods like pastina, chicken noodle/matzah ball soup and have cottage cheese, yogurt, berries and canned pears. Any other ideas?

After surgery, I am planning to sleep downstairs the first few nights because I have no AC and the ceiling fans make it cooler down there better than my room on the third floor. I'm making a bin of things to keep by me: comfy sheets, my meds and Tylenol, thermometer, toothbrush and toothpaste, some body wipes, tissues, charge cords, Kindle, ta regular book, and my reading pillow.

After the first few days, I will go back to sleeping upstairs, but will stay downstairs during the day. I'm going to have a cheap, light, drawstring bag to put things in when I go up and down stairs.

Am I missing anything? Please send ideas and share how you prepared. I'm getting so, so anxious! 😬

Thanks so much for reading.

My pre-admission testing for my partial nephrectomy on 8/12 is today.

On my way to the hospital in an Uber, I started to cry when I was approaching the area where the hospital is; there are many lush trees lining the streets. I suppose it's anxiety. I suppose it's fear. I suppose that it's just because the surgery (robotic, laparoscopic) is approaching.

To top it all off, I have a sore throat. Either my allergies are bad or I'm getting a cold. I don't want to deal with that stress. It might be because I'm trying to work as many hours before I go on leave for the surgery and recovery. I'm getting very tired despite me being stage 1.

I hope that I can still go to the shore after work tomorrow. I want to get in the water. I want some quiet time near my favorite place--the ocean. I won't be able to race in open water there, but I want to enjoy a last summer hurrah before the season is over.

Thank you for reading this, everyone.

Hi everyone,

I’m preparing for my laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and the recovery, including paperwork (UGH!) and setting up stuff for easy access (prepped food, other items).

I’m only stage 1 (T1b pRCC) and I wake up and typically have a crying fit especially during the mornings. A thought pops into my head about my to-do lists and come the tears.

I also deal with chronic depression, but my crying feels different.

God, I’m only Stage 1.

P.S. How can I stop minimizing my stage? I feel like I’m also insulting others who are at this stage as well.

* Edited to add a thank you for reading this.

Hi everyone,

I recently was diagnosed with an low-grade T1b (5.3 cm) papillary renal cell carcinoma tumor. I'm an educator in a college, athlete (though lazy at the moment), amateur musician and artist. I possess a twisted sense of humor while to remember to look at the world with the wonder of a child.

I have two questions:

• I also have polycystic kidney disease at stage four chronic kidney disease and my upcoming partial nephrectomy on 8/12 may have an effect on my already poorly functioning kidneys. Has anyone else had cancer with a concurrent chronic illness?
• I am thankfully diagnosed with a stage 1 cancer but I feel guilt about sharing I have cancer when I am only stage 1 and many others are are struggling much more than I am (though my anxiety and processing while waiting for dx and now the unknown effects my upcoming surgery on my kidneys).

I am rooting for all of you and I wish you much support during your journeys through all this.

Hi everyone,

I posted this on MyKidneyCancerTeam.com, so if some of you are on that site, I’m sorry for the repeat.

It’s strange how being diagnosed with T1b pRCC has me being wanting to frantically get active again and not miss things contrasted with me just coming home and sleeping, and not necessarily out of tiredness.
I am only Stage 1, but this and my upcoming partial nephrectomy will likely make my PKD and my kidney function progress more quickly to ESRD/Stage 5 (I’m stage 4) and dialysis.

I also find this fear of my likely decreased kidney function contrasts my denial and in thinking that my kidney cancer is no deal.
I had also been dealing with a bout of serious clinical depression before all this and being active socially, artistically, and athletically had fallen to the wayside beforehand.
I want to get my mojo back and keep it.

… aaaaand here comes another little weepy moment…

Thank you for reading.

Hi everyone,

I posted this on MyKidneyCancerTeam.com, so if some of you are on that site, I’m sorry for the repeat.

It’s strange how being diagnosed with T1b pRCC has me being wanting to frantically get active again and not miss things contrasted with me just coming home and sleeping, and not necessarily out of tiredness.
I am only Stage 1, but this and my upcoming partial nephrectomy will likely make my PKD and my kidney function progress more quickly to ESRD/Stage 5 (I’m stage 4) and dialysis.

I also find this fear of my likely decreased kidney function contrasts my denial and in thinking that my kidney cancer is no deal.
I had also been dealing with a bout of serious clinical depression before all this and being active socially, artistically, and athletically had fallen to the wayside beforehand.
I want to get my mojo back and keep it.

… aaaaand here comes another little weepy moment…

Thank you for reading.

Hi everyone,

I'm just curious about how people approach prayer and coping with one's own serious illness in Judaism compared to their experience with their former faith and/or culture.

I recently was diagnosed with kidney cancer and will be having a partial nephrectomy which will impact other health issues I've had. I'm wondering what prayers, intentions, etc. in Judaism have helped. I've liked listening to Mi Sheberach when I go to services at a reform synagogue, but I think that's a prayer is more focused on praying for healing of others.

I'm not an active convert yet—still exploring—but I am curious and would like to at least listen to the prayers or meditations and learn the Jewish approach to life events like this. I do have to say that I haven't been as diligent in attending services like I've had before finding out my diagnosis. I do hope to get to more in-person services soon before my surgery, because I find a lot of comfort than watching on Zoom.

The major difference I see with Jewish prayers in general vs. ones from my Catholic upbringing, is that there seems to be a lot more specific intention to each prayer and ritual in Judaism that I did not find in Catholicism.

Thank you for reading.

Hi everyone,

I'm just curious about how people approach prayer and coping with one's own serious illness in Judaism compared to their experience with their former faith and/or culture.

I recently was diagnosed with kidney cancer and will be having a partial nephrectomy which may impact other health issues I've had. I'm wondering what prayers, intentions, etc. in Judaism have helped. I've liked listening to Mi Sheberach when I go to services at a reform synagogue, but I think that's a prayer is more focused on praying for healing of others.

I'm not an active convert yet, but I am curious and would like to at least listen to the prayers or meditations and learn the Jewish approach to life events like this. I do have to say that I haven't been as diligent in attending services like I've had before finding out my diagnosis. I do hope to get to more in-person services soon before my surgery, because I find a lot of comfort than watching on Zoom.

The major difference I see with Jewish prayers in general vs. ones from my Catholic upbringing, is that there seems to be a lot more specific intention to each prayer and ritual in Judaism.

Thank you for reading.

Hi everyone,

Two questions:

Anyone here have brain fog BEFORE any treatment and not necessarily from the cancer itself? I can't tell you how forgetful I've been these days.

Since I am like this, how do I keep all this stuff straight? I'm starting to develop a binder divided up into categories and put stuff in there beside a digital format. I find myself needing to do to-do lists and writing literal steps to get things accomplished.

It's unnerving because what on earth will I be like when I get surgery and possible other treatments (though they are not likely since I'm a stage 1 papillary RCC.. though I am a stage four CKD patient.)??

It scares me when I don't have my wits about me. This is different from when I was seriously depressed or in the throes of PTSD.

Thank you for listening and reading.

Hi everyone,

I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor to discuss my biopsy results and creating a treatment plan. I have Stage 1, Low-Grade Papillary RCC, 5.3 cm tumor. It is likely I will be put on active surveillance.

I'm very fortunate that this was caught early, even though my already poorly functioning kidneys from PKD (eGFR 21, Creatinine 2.6, so it’s stage 4 CKD) pose a bigger threat. Still, I am almost thinking it's no big deal.

I've been trying to just understand, \*comprehend\* that I have cancer. I mean, I say it to myself: "I have cancer. \*Cancer\*. It's like me looking at a mixed up Rubik's cube before I even try to solve it.

Anyone else feel this way? Thank you in advance for all your insights.

Hi everyone,

I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor to discuss my biopsy results and creating a treatment plan. I have Stage 1, Low-Grade Papillary RCC, 5.3 cm tumor. It is likely I will be put on active surveillance.

I'm very fortunate that this was caught early, even though my already poorly functioning kidneys from PKD pose a bigger threat. Still, I am almost thinking it's no big deal.

I've been trying to just understand, *comprehend* that I have cancer. I mean, I say it to myself: "I have cancer. *Cancer*. It's like me looking at a mixed up Rubik's cube before I even try to solve it.

Anyone else feel this way? Thank you in advance for all your insights.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been sort of lurking here. I am 54F and I have Stage 4 CKD (eGFR 21 and Creatinine 2.6). I was recently diagnosed with Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma. It’s a slow-growing, low-grade, Stage 1 T1b (5.3 cm) tumor.

I have an appointment next week to discuss treatment. It looks like I will be put on active surveillance—looks like. If I get a nephrectomy, partial or radical, that will likely put me into ESRD and dialysis sooner rather than later.

Needless to say, I definitely did not expect this. I thought I would more likely get breast cancer eventually since it runs rampant in my family.

Has anyone else here been diagnosed with RCC on top of having PKD?

Thank you in advance for sharing.

I found out last Tuesday, 6/16, that I have a low-grade, stage 1, Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma. Thankfully, it’s slow-growing and not as aggressive as other RCCs.

Boy, finally finding out is a relief. That going back and forth with “I do have it… I don’t have it” was rough mentally and emotionally.

I see my urologist next week on 6/30 to talk further and discuss options. As you know, a partial or full nephrectomy would be a typical option, but I have Polycystic Kidney Disease. I’m stage 4 CKD (eGFR 21, creatinine 2.6), sooooo…

If I get any type of nephrectomy, it will affect my kidney function and possibly put me in Stage 5 or End-Stage CKD.

This also affects how I will be processed for getting on a transplant list when I get on dialysis.

Oddly, when I first heard that I was stage 1, low-grade, and probably put on active surveillance, I was tricking myself into thinking it’s no big deal, especially since I’m in an early stage. Then I look at my kidney bloodwork numbers and realize that it IS a big deal.

I don’t really know what else to say or ask. I’ve been researching and writing questions down to ask my urologist next week.

Thank you for reading and I’m sending healing vibes your way.

Hi everyone,

I have a percutaneous (needle) biopsy next Thursday. I’m supposed to have a driver take me home—not an Uber or Lyft or transit because of the likelihood of still being groggy from the sedation.

I wanted to wait until my biopsy results to reveal that I have cancer (if I have it—my mass is 5.3 cm) to my family.

I had a troublesome start of the year with me almost being homeless and thankfully my siblings stepped to help. I really don’t want to put more on them.

Suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help.

I’m sorry that I mostly lurk here.

Like the title says, I have PKD, am at stage 4 CKD, and just learned from and ultrasound and an MRI that I have a 5 cm renal mass in my right kidney. I met with a urologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center and my needle biopsy will be on 6/11.

I didn’t think it would be anything until I saw in the report that it’s a solid renal mass/ renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Apparently if a mass is >4 cm, it’s an 80% chance it’s malignant. If it is malignant, it’s categorized as a T1b, which is still early, thank goodness.

I knew that my kidneys were going to fail down the road, but if this ends up where I will need a partial or radical nephrectomy, I will likely end up being stage 5 ESRD. I’m 54 and the literature says that RCC occurs more in older adults on dialysis and people with PKD have a higher risk.

I guess I’m wondering if anyone else here has had a renal mass/renal cell carcinoma, what it was like, and what treatment helped them.

Thank you for your insight.

Just curious how people observe Shavuot. I'm going to two events tomorrow at two synagogues. I am on the fence about staying up all night and attending the later, overnight events at one of them. I think I can only last until midnight. I went to part of the overnight one last year and absolutely LOVED it. I love learning and debating. 😄

How do you all observe or celebrate Shavuot?

[supprimé]

*Reposted because I messed up the title*

Ugh… I just saw this through my Israel Live News Feed on WhatsApp.

There was a terror attack in Golders Green in London in which row Jews were stabbed.

I’m sorry this keeps happening and that Jews, synagogues, businesses, and more have to keep their heads on a swivel on their heads. It’s not right. it’s not right.

I was at an event last week at a lovely Kosher restaurant in Philly learning about an organization called Latet that described its services for people living in poverty Israel. There were 3 or 4 police’s officers there!

I’m not Jewish, possibly converting… and I just feel badly for you and support you. Many hugs.