BOB JK My diary of kidney cancer (to be continued)
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Hi, My name is Bob and I live in Cambridgeshire. I am married with an 8 yr old daughter and three older step sons. Up untill the end of last year everything was tickety boo having recently moved to a new house which we love. Work was busy but enjoyable. I am Manager of an electrical companys maintenance department and my Wife, Linda was enjoying her job as a Nurse. The three boys are buying there own house nearby and all work locally. In November I went to my Doctors with a small "cyst" on my chest. After a couple of referals and many Xrays, pet scans, bone scans and CT scans I was told the news everybody dreads. My lump on the chest was a secondary cancer of which the primary was in my left Kidney. I was fast tracked to the Royal Brompton, under the expert care of Mr Laddas who informed a long and complicated operation would need to be carried out to remove the bone tumor and surrounding bone which involved two ribs,my collar bone and chest bone. I did not have time to panic, the operation was carried out the next day over 10 hrs. After nearly two weeks in the Brompton I am recovering well from this op but I have since been told that the Cancer is in both kidneys as well as small mets in both lungs. It seems at the moment further ops are out the question and i have been put on the drug Sutent. I am one week into this and so far so good. I do not know what the future holds but I have to remain positive.
Another sunny day again and ill be off to work soon. Linda has taken Kate to school after our busy weekend which went so well. Only a few days before the operation and In my mind its this operation and the subsequent scans which will be my crystal ball of the future. If no new tumours have reared their ugly head whilst ive been off the Sutent for so long that will be great news. The lung nodules also play a part of this picture. I plan to do three part days this week before going into hospital on Thursday.
Work went well and was extremely busy .First of all I did a site visit to try and sort a problem before going to the office. I walked into another problem at work and spent most of the day trying to sort it out. I did quite a lond day before comming home and then going with Linda to pick up Kate from school. After a bit of a rest I have just cut the grass and am now pretty knackered. I have work again tomorrow and then I will probably call it a day before my operation. Tom phoned from Holiday and it was great to have a few words with him
Another lovely day today and after doing a bit of work at home for Kates school I am now in work and trying to clear my desk so I need not come in to work tomorrow. That will then leave a full day to get organised before op. I feel ok apart from a bit of back pain wh
Dear Bob I haven't spoken to you before, but have followed your story with great interest. I just wanted to wish you all the best for the op, and for your continued recovery. I'm sure that your positivity, and the support of your wife and family, wiil be of huge benefit to you. Thinking of you Sue x
Just read your profile and I am so sorry things did not work out for Alan. So many good people are lost to this awfull illness and it really breaks my heart. I hope in time that cures can be found for all Cancers. Kate has over £2.200.00 pledged for Cancer research so lets hope it really makes a difference. I am fighting to stay alive for my family but am also fighting to show that positive thinking and hope can help see you through. We know it cannot work for everyone and being a realist I know it will get me in the end but its not happening yet, Im just not ready!
I have had a really good nights sleep but awoke with more lower back pain. I ended up spending a lot of time at work yesterday so was on my feet for quite a while and am prpbably paying the price. Today is my day of rest (as if the next six weeks wont be enough) and plan to do very little. Mollie is patiently waiting at my feet for her walk and although I dont really feel like going I wont be letting her down, it just might be a bit shorter today. I need to pop into town to sort out my phone upgrade. I will be relying on that to keep my blog up to date whilst in hospital and also to text and ring family. Although Im going to the same hospital as last time im hoping the aftercare will be better. If I see the ward sister who left my old dressing hanging off and then went off duty and home I will have to say something, I hope I can control myself.
Dear Bob Good luck to your little katie for her efforts on behalf of cancer relief. I have asked for donations today, in lieu of flowers, for the haemotology unit where Alan was treated - they were amazing and tireless in their support for all of us. My youngest daughter Alice (19 next week) and I intend to devote a lot of our time and energy in the future to raising funds for cancer charities so that hopefully generations to come will not have to suffer the same pain and heartbreak that we on this site are going through. Best wishes to you and your lovely Linda and Katie Sue x PS where would we be without our dogs? Mine have been a life saver!
Like Sue, I have followed your thread for a while without posting until now.
Just wanted to say that you are handling your illness with great courage and it is particularly hard trying to fight something whilst still trying to hold down a job ( although I suppose sometimes its a help just to lose yourself somewhere else for a while).
I too have been following your journey & just wanted to pop in & wish you every success with your op!! Hope the level of care at the hospital is better this time & that you have a swift recovery!!
