- Joined
- Nov 24, 2014
- Messages
- 3,187
I'm writing this to relay a little of my circumstances, in the hope it will prevent others from being as nonchalant, as I have sometimes been.
I've recently been diagnosed with a tumor in my left kidney. The discussion so far is to have the entire kidney (and other bits) removed. This is all very recent. I won't meet the Urologist that will do the surgery for another two weeks.
My point here is to relay some of the questions/comments of the Urologist who diagnosed the tumor. If any of the issues apply, forewarned is forearmed. This is pretty real to me and I hope it helps you avoid such problems.
Q. Do you or did you smoke?
A. No.
Q. Did anyone around you smoke?
A. Mother, always and plenty.
Q. What was your occupation?
A. Aerospace (retired as Principal Mechanical Engineer).
I don't think I was very exposed to toxics there but, maybe. The Urologist commented on his experiences with many local (Los Angeles area) aerospace workers.
It's not hard to find examples of world class environmental damage at aerospace companies near his practice.
I volunteered that I had been a gear head and a hobby machinist and could relay too many stories of being deep into unhealthy conditions without, what we now know to be, the proper PPE.
They can't point to a "smoking gun" that has caused my tumor. Maybe it's genetic (he didn't ask me about family history) and unavoidable.
Bottom line = I implore you to spend the bucks and take the time to always protect yourself with the proper PPE.
Having a kidney removed is not going to be fun or a win in any way.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled programing. Take care.
I've recently been diagnosed with a tumor in my left kidney. The discussion so far is to have the entire kidney (and other bits) removed. This is all very recent. I won't meet the Urologist that will do the surgery for another two weeks.
My point here is to relay some of the questions/comments of the Urologist who diagnosed the tumor. If any of the issues apply, forewarned is forearmed. This is pretty real to me and I hope it helps you avoid such problems.
Q. Do you or did you smoke?
A. No.
Q. Did anyone around you smoke?
A. Mother, always and plenty.
Q. What was your occupation?
A. Aerospace (retired as Principal Mechanical Engineer).
I don't think I was very exposed to toxics there but, maybe. The Urologist commented on his experiences with many local (Los Angeles area) aerospace workers.
It's not hard to find examples of world class environmental damage at aerospace companies near his practice.
I volunteered that I had been a gear head and a hobby machinist and could relay too many stories of being deep into unhealthy conditions without, what we now know to be, the proper PPE.
They can't point to a "smoking gun" that has caused my tumor. Maybe it's genetic (he didn't ask me about family history) and unavoidable.
Bottom line = I implore you to spend the bucks and take the time to always protect yourself with the proper PPE.
Having a kidney removed is not going to be fun or a win in any way.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled programing. Take care.