Dealing with some health issues for a while.

[mastermonster]

I've been posting updates on my training log about my lower back and pelvic pain for a couple of week or so. I've been a bit quite on here due to being pre-occupied with the pain and not being comfortable sitting up for long to type. You can see more background on this at my training log here. Here's my update I posted today so everybody will kinda' know what's going on with me for the next few weeks or so. Haven't trained at all the last couple of weeks and probably won't be for a while it looks like. I'm praying I won't be done all-together but right now I'm just praying I can get the pain stopped and come out healthy.

Today's update from my log (mastermonster's quest for the records):

Got the MRI done Tuesday. The primary cause of the pain and lower back symtoms seems to be the "severe" stynosis from L5 to S1. Also have the spondilolitisis (spelling?) of L4 and L5. Apparently not seeing a problem with the SI joints. I have another problem to deal with however so getting the MRI was a blessing in desquise I guess. That's why I had a CT Span done this morning. They saw a portion of a mass on my right kidney while looking at the low back/pelvis problem with the MRI. The CT scan shows a 5 cm mass on my right kidney. The Radiologist said I need to get an appointment with my endocrenologist and proceed from there. He said he thinks it's probably been there for some time and we have just not had X-rays done in the past that showed the area. He said since I've had no symptoms with the kidney that that's a good thing. But said that the mass probably needs to come out and be biopsied to be sure it's not malignant. SO! When I can get Dr. Pirani Monday A.M. I guess I'll find out which I need to deal with 1st. Dr. Goodwin is supposed to be making me an appointment at UAB dealing with the back issue. Frankly I'm more worried about the kidney issue right now even though the back is hurting so much. I'll post back when I know more! Thanks everybody!

[J_Byrd]

Hope the news is good, and that you have a speedy recovery!

[vdizenzo]

You will be in my prayers tonight. Good luck.

[ScottYard]

Hang in there.

[Niko_El_Piko]

All the luck with your recovery.

[mastermonster]

Thanks everybody! I appreciate the thoughts and prayers more than you know!

[GazzyG]

Best of luck with the health issues, MM.

[mastermonster]

Thanks Gazzy and Niko!

[mastermonster]

I talked to Dr. Goodwin, my General MD this morning; and he said let's get the renal (kidney) issue dealt with 1st. Then we'll set up appointments about the back. I see Dr. Pirani (my eurologist) at 10:00am tomarrow. I'm nervous as to wheather I can lay still for long in a lying position to recover if they do surgery and remove the mass on my kidney and also knowing it will prolong how long I have to deal with this misery from the back. But I'll difinately do what the doc's feel is the most urgent.

[Justin Randal]

I sympathise with you Homie. I recently had a growth removed from my bladder and know what it can be like waiting for results. As for being able to lye still while recovering, you'll be higher than than Whitney Houston for at least 2 weeks. So no worries there. Keep us updated and God bless..

[mastermonster]

Thanks Justin.

[mastermonster]

I got bad news and good news yesterday at Dr. Pirani's office. The bad news is I have cancer. Renal cell carcinoma like the radiologist suspected and I'm going to lose my right kidney. The good news is he is practically 100% sure it's contained within the kidney. If so when the kidney is out the cancer is out. No chemo, radiation or anything. That will be good because he also said this type of cancer does not respond to either treatment. It envolves over 1/2 of my kidney so there's no saving it. He said people live to 110 with just one and if I was just a normal person I'd never even know I was living with just one. Being a powerlifter however will be a different story. He said I'll be able to train as hard as I want when I recover. What I'll have to adjust a lot is dietary, supplements and types of pain meds. A high protein diet is out. That will be a huge factor to compensate for. I'll have to keep my test level under 800 which won't really be a problem since we try for 600ish on my TRT. I'll need to make sure no OTC supplements I take have the potential to run it higher. The other biggie is NO NSAIDS! He said they are very harsh on the kidneys and especially with just one. I've been on celebrex or mobic for over 12 years and a lot of ibuprophen; especially the last few years. Supprizingly to me he said he'd keep me on lortabs or tylox to deal with the arthritis and back pain. He said in my situation the narcotics would be much healthier for me than NSAIDS. It will be a new challenge to train with these limitations but, if he's right and they get it all; at least I'll still be able to continue powerlifting and be around to do so! I'm focusing on this for now and I'll deal with the back problems when we get through this. The surgery will be Aug. 1st. I have to be off all blood thinning meds (several) for 2 weeks before the surgery and the 1st is the quickest availiable time to get in the robotic surgery facility at Riverview Regional Hospital. Thankfully that is where my wife works. I hope they call and say we can get in there sooner. This is going to seem like a long month! Thanks for all the well wishes everybody! I'm not going to try to train any til afterwards. I'm going to spend as much time with my wife Pam, and family and friends as I can for a while and enjoy a little....of everything that really means something. This really does make you sit back and re-think some things about life! God knows what he's doing. If we hadn't been looking for the back problem, we most likely wouldn't have found this before it was too late. Don't forget to tell the one's you love what they mean too you!

[Justin Randal]

Wow! My heart sank a bit reading this. Let us know how we can support and keep us updated. You'll be in my prayers sir..

[mastermonster]

Wow! My heart sank a bit reading this. Let us know how we can support and keep us updated. You'll be in my prayers sir..

Thank you Justin! I'll appreciate the prayers!

[marcorock]

Mastermonster, I've only read your posts around the net, so I don't know you, but...hang in there, spend as much time as you can with who you love, and come out of this challenge stronger than ever.

[Travis Bell]

Buddy, that's really sad to hear. I really hope the surgery goes well and the cancer is contained.

[mastermonster]

Mastermonster, I've only read your posts around the net, so I don't know you, but...hang in there, spend as much time as you can with who you love, and come out of this challenge stronger than ever.

Thanks marcorock. I'm going to stay positive on this and look forward to coming out of all this O.K. ..... maybe even better!

[mastermonster]

Buddy, that's really sad to hear. I really hope the surgery goes well and the cancer is contained.

Thanks Travis. The doctor's seems very positive that's it's all contained in the kidney. I will be nervous though til I wake up after the surgery and he tells me that then. Only human ai guess to feel that way. However I'm thinking positive and trying to live that way. Pam's off with me til next Wed. and we've enjoyed the last few days in the pool and hangin' out with the dogs in the back yard.

[Brian Hopper]

Damn Buddy, I'm sorry to hear that. I wish you the best brother.

[mastermonster]

Damn Buddy, I'm sorry to hear that. I wish you the best brother.

Thank you Brian!

[Rob Luyando]

Buddy so sorry to hear of your health issues. You have been an ambassador to the sport we all love. Thank you for all the time and sacrifices you have made through out the years to contribute yourself to powerlifting. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[mastermonster]

Buddy so sorry to hear of your health issues. You have been an ambassador to the sport we all love. Thank you for all the time and sacrifices you have made through out the years to contribute yourself to powerlifting. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you Rob! The same is true of you and more. I appreciate the prayers!

[Ripe1]

Hang in there man! I know you're used to working hard and busting through different obstacles, this is just another one.

[NickAus]

Hope your ok!!!!!

Really wishing you all the best!

[patricky]

Damn sorry to hear that man. I have a bad shoulder and just reading this makes me feel lucky.

Thank god it's contained within the kidney. Especially since it can't be treated.

I'm sure you will do great with your sport even with the low protein diet. Damn lucky you are a powerlifter and got it found out early, wow.

What did you docs say about your back and ability to do lowerbody stuff again?