Living with one kidney

[Korgs130]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. My mom got a scan prior to gallbladder surgery and the doctors discovered a tumor on her kidney. They removed her kidney and while post surgical biopsy showed that the tumor was cancerous, it was encapsulated in some fatty tissue and did not spread. That was 12 years ago and she has had zero issues living with one kidney since.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

5 years here. I was also diagnosed during an unrelated scan. Mine was near your size. Fortunately it had not spread to surrounding areas. I was offered an opportunity to participate in a clinical trial at Vanderbilt in Nashville. So far so good.

Drink enough water. Keep sodium and protein intake down. Keep an eye on blood pressure. Your nephrologist should cover all this with you. One kidney will serve you well.

[WillBrink]

Long story short, I recently was diagnosed with a hernia. Doctors did a CT scan to see what was going on and a large tumor (10cm x 8cm) was found in my right kidney. My urological surgeon and oncologist believe it's cancer. Either way Im losing my kidney in the near future.

So Ive been trying to research what it's like to have one kidney. Most of what Im reading is something along the lines of "most people live a normal life without any issues". I find it really hard to believe they can remove an organ and everything goes back to normal. Anyone else have one kidney? Any advise?

If you have to lose an organ, that seems one of the better choices as it's basically redundant. Look at all the people who have donated a kidney and went on about their lives. Of course given the choice, we want two cuz redundancy is a good thing, but it appears most do just fine. No doubt, doc will want to keep a closer eye on the one kidney and regular kidney function tests are in your future, but some of that depends on your current kidney health/function and other variables.

Kidneys are a tough organ, so that's the good news.

[GH41]

My nieces infant daughter was diagnosed with cancer in both kidneys at 18 months old. She was left with only a small portion of 1 kidney. She is 15 now and has lived a normal life other than having to avoid sports. The doctors say she will need a new one when her body outgrows what she has left. Her older brother has a match but has a full scholarship as a wrestler at a decent school. His scholarship goes away when he gives her the kidney. I'm betting the Docs recommend not playing rough so not to damage the one you have left.

[gunrunner505]

My oldest son was born with a solitary kidney. It has been no issue at all. When he was a baby we did the whole take him to a specialist thing for a check up. We were concerned about sports and such. The doctor said, and I quote, “Let him do any damn thing he wants to do.” He said most internal injuries are from car accidents and bike riding or something. You’re never not going to drive a car and good luck keeping a kid off a bike. Sports injuries to the kidneys were about number 10 on the list at the time. He has wrestled, played baseball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball and hockey , runs crops country in school, all without issue. His one kidney is larger than normal just because it’s all alone but other than that, it’s been a non issue.


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[FlyAndFight]

My oldest son was born with a solitary kidney. It has been no issue at all. When he was a baby we did the whole take him to a specialist thing for a check up. We were concerned about sports and such. The doctor said, and I quote, “Let him do any damn thing he wants to do.” He said most internal injuries are from car accidents and bike riding or something. You’re never not going to drive a car and good luck keeping a kid off a bike. Sports injuries to the kidneys were about number 10 on the list at the time. He has wrestled, played baseball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball and hockey , runs crops country in school, all without issue. His one kidney is larger than normal just because it’s all alone but other than that, it’s been a non issue.


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I was just about to post almost an exact copy of what you posted.

My son was born with one kidney as well. We did the same thing while he was an infant. Doctor said basically the very same thing. My son has been active in sports throughout his 18 years and even played high school football (linebacker, so was doing the hitting and not necessarily getting hit...)

His one kidney is indeed larger than normal, as the body compensated. He does take care of himself, exercise-wise but eats anything put in front of him.

[C-grunt]

Thanks guys. That makes me feel better about this whole ordeal.

[utahjeepr]

Best of luck sir.

Looks like no more of those 800mg ibuprofen "grunt candies" for you.

[soulezoo]

First, my sympathy for you and hope all turns out well for you.
My father lost his kidney in his late 30's as a result of WWII injury. He passed away several years ago at 85. He was a life long heavy smoker too.

Anyway, he lived a normal life with no issues from one kidney.

[andre3k]

I've had a single kidney for over 30 years. It hasn't effected me other than not being to play contact sports and it's a disqualifier for joining any branch of the military.

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