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It's a long story that started on the last week in August that even now, I find hard to believe. I was on the bridge of the Bluebeard trolling for Bass when my cell phone rang. It was my doctor telling me that some tests she had me have after an annual physical showed I had a large tumor on my right kidney and the kidney had to go. My response was, "you have to be kidding, I feel perfect and have no symptoms of anything in my urinary system" or anywhere else. After a whirlwind of tests, scans, etc., etc., I was operated on last Friday, was in intensive care for 3 1/2 days and 2 1/2 days in a "regular" hospital room. I finally was disconnected from all the tubes, needles, etc and released to go home yesterday evening sans a right kidney and the grapefruit sized tumor that was growing on it. If anyone ever tells you that that particular surgery is a piece of cake, send them to me. Last night was the first night in a week I got more than 20 minutes of sleep without something being done to me. This morning's shower at home was better than sex. My next hurdle is a biopsy report which I anxiously await. Wish me luck as I am not quite ready to give up the Bluebeard yet. I swear to God, I felt no symptoms right up to surgery and have to be grateful it was even found. Anyhow, I'm back home, and back on the site. Missed you all. Funny, but you don't realize how much this site means until you lose it. First thing I did when I got home was read all that I missed while I was in the hospital.

Walter, know that I'm prayin for ya buddy... Hang tough...

Welcome back Walter.

Get well soon.

Welcome back Walter!

Again, it was great talking to you a few days ago. Hope you have a full recovery.

Best regards,

Patrick

Walter -

Get well.

John

Dang Walter.......bet that phone call really screwed up your fishing trip. Glad your back home and recovering well.

I know first hand how you feel. 6 years ago I went to my doctor for my yearly checkup just after suffering with a kidney stone.....only to be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.....no symptoms....no problems......no nuttin.

I will be praying that the biopsy report is a good one for you and for us.

Good luck my friend

hb

Sorry to hear of your setback, Walter, but glad you are back home. Get well my friend!

Glad you are back! Get well soon.

Walter,

Glad to hear the doc caught it early. It is easy to dismiss minor aches and pains as we get older, and this sounds like you didn't even have that as a warning! Glad to hear you are on the mend.

Peter

Walter,
Hopes and prayers sent your way for good news.
Carl

Walter, wow. Glad you are OK now. If you need something please call. Brewster

If anyone ever tells you that that particular surgery is a piece of cake, send them to me.

How true! My father went through this ordeal...twice. Tumor was found during a routine scan before surgery on his ear, no symptoms. Scapel-happy surgeon almost killed him on the table, twice. First to remove the offending kidney and then a year later by trying to be a hero by removing the remaining small tumor directly adjacent to his renal artery (big pipe). He failed the second time, but not before doing the full "guts on the table" and then back in approach. My dad survived, but spent 2 weeks in the hospital. Lesson learned - when the doc says orthoscopic (sp?) surgery, hold him to it in writing. As treatment for the tumor, they used something called a cyber-knife which applies radiation to a very tightly controled area within the body. Somehow this machine is able to focus the radiation at a single point inside your body. Amazing technology, zero side effects. 1 week of treatments, no Chemo. 1+ years later and the tumor continues to shrink and his blood work is stabilized. should have gone this route before the 2nd surgury, but as you know, surgeons get paid to cut.

I wish you good luck, Walter! If you want to talk things over with my dad, I'm sure he would be happy to discuss his expereince with you.

Cam

Wow Walter! Sorry you had to go through that, but I am glad they caught it! Hope the biopsy comes back clean. A real nail biter to wait out!! Hope you are back on the bridge of Bluebeard soon! if I were closer I would offer to take you out fishing as therapy!!

Walter,
Glad to hear that the operation is behind you. Our prayers are with you for good results on the biopsy.
Harry

Nice to know that your ok. Also that your doctor was observant enough to catch it. She deserves a big thanks!

Walter,

Glad you are OK! That surgery is tough, I had a buddy that went through it and he is tough as nails but it was no cake walk for him.

Hope you are 100% soon!

JD

Holy shit Walter! Tickled to hear you are home and feeling better! I'll toss a few Knee mails your way via the big guy upstairs on the biopsy. Also, if you want to chat you have my number. Been a while since we did that anyway. Your one of my favorites round these parts, get better my friend!!

Mark

walter glad to here your home and recovering youll be back on bluebeard before you know it

Walter...

Glad your Dr caught this thing in time.. I have to believe waiting longer might have been more serious. Get bhetter soon.. and know there are a bunch of us here.. sort of your extended family.. who are sending you all the positive energy we can muster!

Walter, Glad your home...hope all goes well on the results, will be thinking of you..Hope you had a great day of trolling before the doc gave you that call..On the bridge of Bluebeard is where you belong...BH

Walter, Glad you are Ok. Will keep you in our prayers.

Walter - all the best from this side of the pond.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Ian.

Walter

I hope all is well.

May you have a speedy recovery.

Walter,

My dad went through the same thing. Glad to hear you are on the mend.

Rooting for you Waler !!
John

Walter, sorry to hear about your problems,speedy recovery,and all the best....Russ

Yea, but did you catch anything?
The wait for the biopsy is worse than the surgery. Been there, done that.
Praying for you my fren'

Walter,

You're in my thoughts and prayers. Get well soon.

Daniel

I skipped over the thread a few times thinking it was your computer that went down....

Wow....Welcome back Walter..
Good to hear you are on the mend

We'll keep you in our prayers for the upcoming tests
and for a speedy recovery back to 100%

Ray

Walter K wrote:I was on the bridge of the Bluebeard trolling for Bass when my cell phone rang.....

Walter, I'm glad that you are doing well and I hope the biopsies return the news we all would like. But I need to know, did you hit the bass?

Hope that made you smile

Walter,

We're keeping you in our thoughts and prayers too.

Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery

Walter i don't know what to say scarry as hell.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

Seems like we got it all. Although the tumor was not benign, the pathology report says all the margins were clear of malignancy and the tumor, although large, was limited to the kidney (which was removed). Guess I have to consider myself very lucky as I was walking around carrying a time bomb and didn't know it. Says a lot for the sensitivity of my doctor's fingers as I had no symptoms at all. I still can hardly believe it, but sure as hell now know it was true. My personal thanks to all my Bertram brothers for their prayers and good wishes. They were sincerely appreciated.

Glad you're on the mend Walter!!!

Walter

You once told me that BlueBeard saved your live........during troubled times

It's ironic that you happened to be on BlueBeard when you got the news from your doctor.....even with news that is not so pleasant you were in at least one of your favorite places on this earth.....good for you.

With that having been said.......when can you take BlueBeard out for another cruise do you think???? Our little boats and the ocean seem to be good for the soul.

Get well soon my friend

hb

Time for a big party

Glad your back and clear, really makes you realize how short life is, live to the fullest and never look back!!!

Walter, that's good news. I'll hoist a clear to your doc. Its a shame Ohlstein's doc didn't like him as much as your doc does you. But I can see why.

Great news, Walter!!

Thank God, great news!

Walter: Thank God youre ok .. Ill be praying for you . by His stripes we are healed. Only He can save us..
Wayne

Walter how is everything going? I guess your out there chasing down bass by now.i am very much concerned as the rest of the faithful.

Walter,

Get well, get on the boat!

Spencer

That is some great news Walter!
Very glad to hear some these days...
Carl

Walter:

Great news! Hate ######@*g cancer!

kathi and I are glad yur ok....

Glad to hear they got it all! Very good news!

Thought you had computer issues. Too bad it wasn't.
What an ordeal! Thank the Lord your o.k.

great news walter, now get back on the bass