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May 28, 2009
15 pounds lighter
I learned earlier this month that my right kidney had been highjacked by a 12-centimeter tumor. On top of that, my gall bladder was failing, too. Fun times.
A week later, both organs were removed during a four-hour surgery. Less than a week after that, I'd dropped 15 pounds on a diet of broth, Jello and apple juice. Take that, Valerie Bertinelli. I have 6-8 weeks of recovery ahead and barring any complications, that should be it. The physical ordeal is over. I'm not so sure about the mental and spiritual ordeal. All in due time.
If you're curious about renal cell carcinoma, or kidney cancer, here are the highlights: The disease grows stealthily. It doesn't show up in standard check-up blood tests. Symptoms often do not appear until after it has spread beyond the kidney. Unchecked, RCC can spread to the lungs, liver or lymph nodes. When that happens, life gets tougher. Like my diagnosis, it's often discovered in unrelated CT scans or x-rays. My RCC was caught before it spread, but that meant sacrificing my right kidney, a not uncommon treatment. Inexplicably, RCC afflicts men more than women. That's bad news for doctor-averse men. I've been semi-averse for the past 10 years; the only defense I can offer is that I've been healthy my entire life; no surgeries, no health problems. I can't remember the last time I had the flu. For the past two years, I exercised 4-5 times a week. Am I doctor-averse now? No way. Life is too short.
Twelve days after surgery, life isn't much different with one kidney. All functions are normal. That's one of the amazing aspects of our blood-cleansing kidneys: even one by itself works like a part-time consultant, at just 60-70% percent capacity. The bright side of life without a gall bladder is that my body no longer produces bile, which helps break down food. Bile is that bitter taste that sometimes seeps up from the stomach after eating too much. Without a gall bladder, the liver simply takes over. That means I'm free to eat and drink whatever I'd like. As one of my surgeons told me, "As far as I'm concerned, you can eat cheeseburgers dipped in Crisco." Not that I will; I don't want a heart surgeon. (My gall bladder was removed at the same time as my kidney because a CT scan showed it was filled with gall stones and was about a week away from causing a major attack. If there's such a thing as fortuitous timing with expendable, failing organs, I nailed it.)
My prognosis is great. The pathologists have been engaged in a spirited debate on whether my kidney was overtaken by a simple mass or a more aggressive, yet benign, mass. Either way, my primary surgeon, Dr. David Phillips, said on the day of my discharge from the hospital, "My gut tells me you're cured." I could tell it was gratifying for him to say that as gratifying as it was to hear it. It may sound like hyperbole, but the highly skilled and personable Drs. Phillips, Peter Ruff and Bob Markus saved my life. I can't think of a better recommendation.
Also gratifying, and humbling, was how my family and loved ones stepped up unselfishly in my time of need. I'm forever thankful and grateful to them; I have no idea how to repay their love, concern and kindness. I was astounded by the many blog post comments, emails and tweets of well wishes, prayers, offers of help, as well as the flowers and gifts from friends old and new. It's remarkable how all of that gave me strength and courage by making me feel less alone. Any form of outreach for someone who's ill is an act of healing. Thank you.
Because everything happened so quickly, I haven't fully processed this brush with mortality. Writing about it is cathartic, so I hope you'll forgive this indulgence. I do know that if my recent experience proves anything, it's how quickly things can change. How quickly things will change.
It's just a matter of when.
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Glad to hear that your spirits are high and that you are doing well. Hang in there!
Wow. Wonderful that things worked out so well. Best of luck!
Woo-hoo, Ben! Such great news and.. keep spreading the word to men about how it isn't THAT awful to get regular checkups. It is a serious problem and too many guys wait for their wives/girlfriends to nag them into it.
But - main thing, you are healthy! So glad.
I'm lucky to be one of the firsts who can say thanks for the realy good news! (I mean the fast recovery...)
So it's realy a happy thing to hear about you!
Just go ahead!
okay, cowboy....i have a pecan pie to send you! i need an address.... my email is bud@royersroundtopcafe.com.
bless, bud the pieman!!!
CC and Tom -- Many thanks, dudes!
Andrea -- Yup, regular check-ups and paying closer attention to what your body is trying to tell you. In hindsight, I had many tiny clues to what was going on, but they never quite added up until after the diagnosis. After that, it was "oh yeahhhhhh."
i knew you'd kick some cancer butt. GREAT NEWS! Take good care of yourself and indulge away if writing helps - we're all here to listen. Be well.
great news, Ben!! we're glad to read everything's better. thanks God you're getting well!
Zoltan -- Thanks very much. Great to have your well-wishes from across the Atlantic.
Bud -- You are much too kind. And I do love pie.
Jeannie -- I'm spending plenty of quality time on the couch. Give my best to everyone in Chicago.
Ben, glad to hear you are on the road to recovery, that's great news! I bet lots of people will be jealous of the cheeseburger dipped in Crisco action...Kidding! :)
Hopefully your post will get more gents to pay attention to their health and get to the doctor more often.
All the best,
Beth Harte
@bethharte
Just so happy to get this update and know that you're in full recover mode!
Great news! We'll be back to debating Friedman before you know it.
Great news! May your recovery be swift and without hiccups.
As a fellow gall bladder amputee(?) myself I hope your doctor did mention that eating cheeseburgers dipped in Crisco may give you explosive diarrhea. Fun :)
Please do write about your experience. You express yourself so well, and it's an amazing story. I was especially interested in your reaction to the support you've received.
May you continue to improve quickly and thrive! Will look forward to all of your future posts about this and about marketing.
Ben,
I'm so happy to hear you're feeling better. Take it easy on the road to recovery. If international karmic well-wishing has anything to do with healing, you've got a lot of power on your side.
All the best,
Kelly
I am so happy to read that you're on the mend. You just sound healthy in this writing. Keep up the good and inspiring work. -Chris
Congrats on the good prognosis! It's great to read about your experience--keep it coming!
Ben,
Great to see you are on the recovery side of that experience. Welcome back, thanks for sharing, and here's to a successful, healthy future.
-j
Indulgences more than granted. Glad to hear you're recovering and happy to be allowed to share in your processing. Your every comment will be welcome.
Thanks for sharing, Ben. Glad to hear your prognosis is great.
Rolando -- Many thanks.
Beth -- Maybe a cheeseburger dipped in butter then. Love what you do on your blog!
Connie -- Thanks for well wishes!
Ed -- Sounds like a plan. Sorry that Friedman's stock keeps going down... :)
Allison -- Gall bladder amputees unite!
Vickie -- Many thanks. There's something to be said for the hospital experience, which might be a future post.
Kelly -- I'll take global karmic power any day, at any time!
Chris -- Assisted by just a small helping of hydrocordone.
Kenzie, Joe, Alison and Ben -- Thanks much for the comments and well wishes. Great to hear from you, and I'll do my best to make any future posts about the experience worth the read.
Hey Ben,
I fell a little behind in my Blog reading and I am just coming across this news now. I am so glad to hear that things have worked out and that you are back on your feet. I'm sending warm and powerful good vibes from Canada for you (and Jackie).
Stay strong!
Ben,
Sending you lots of good karma from the left coast! Great to hear you're on the road to recovery.
Looking forward to seeing you hosting the Wed Webinar's again soon.
Ben,
I've been a bad blog follower these last few weeks, so I missed your news till now. Just wanted to pass on my best wishes. Stay strong, my man!
Ben: Your blog's been on my google reader and blog roll for a long time. I enjoy it and have followed your diagnosis with interest and concern, as much concern as I can have for someone I don't really know but I feel like I do.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your struggles with the world.
Glad things are better and here's to stronger healthier days ahead.
David Wiggs
Was reading into your posts after following a recommendation about your blog from http://www.bazaarblog.com and noticed that your surgery was on the same date as my 40th birthday.
I was very happy to read that you were re-born and with great success.
I wish you all the best health and well being,
Yuval Kaplan
Hey Ben, so glad you are on the mend.
When my appendix exploded a few years ago I lost 15 pounds in 1 week too,it was bizarre.
Be well! Stay healthy!!And keep encouraging people (particularly men) to take care of themselves.
Jeff Flemings
Ben, I just saw this so I apologize for commenting on a May post in July but since I missed the "physical ordeal" and you mentioned that "the spiritual and mental ordeal" lay ahead I wanted to wish you the best and note that my mother had RCC and had that kidney removed and lived until she was 95 without a return visit.
Hope you continue to mend!
Ben, how are you feeling? Haven't seen any related posts in a while. We miss you guys in Chicago. Let me know when you're in town and up for a game of Tennis.
-Igor
guys your work is great please keep it up
