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 good day today, new bed, due to arrive between 12 and six arrived this morning. We were expecting a phone call giving an hours notice this afternoon but instead, got half an hours notice whilst we were out so had to hurriedly make a u turn and get home. The chaps carried the sections upstairs and I put it all together in no time. One thing that surprised us both was how high it was. I nearly got the hop up out the garage. It didn't look that big in the nice big showroom,lol. Anyway it fits the bedroom a treat and if I do my normal treat of falling out of bed I will do myself some serious damage. Sally and Emily should be in the UK by now and really looking forward to seeing them soon. One more day off the Sutent and then Wednesday I start cycle three phase two of treatment. I feel really good at the moment which is brilliant considering all the stress we had at the weekend. I don't want to go into details but the boys father needed to be involved and so we had him round for dinner on Sunday. I mean he ate with us, not we ate him for dinner. No headaches no aches or pains , only slightly tired so all is good.
I cannot quite believe how good I am feeling at the moment. Im so glad I feel well enough to go out and about a bit with Sally and Emily who have arrived from America.. Sally was very pleasantly supprised at how well i look and I do have to agree with her. Another few weeks of Sutent will soon change things im sure. Tonight Emily is staying with us and Sally will come across tomorrow. The loose plan is that Linda will take the girls out whilst Sally and I spend a bit of time together. The girls have been great together and I felt quite emotional when Kate ran up to Em in the school playground and gave her a huge hug. Today I spoke to our senior chap where Kate has her counselling and expressed my dismay at the outcome of the last discussion.
Just popping in to say Hi Bob, and that you're still the first thread I look at, even though i don't post often. And to send love and good vibes to you, Linda and the family. So glad you're taking all that's been thrown at you, with great courage and humour.
Nearly choked on my 'lemonade' at your last couple of sentences, you really made me laugh. Enjoy your holiday time with Linda, Kate, your sister, niece and the rest of the family.
Indeed they did thanks Ang and we have had a great time. yesterday was spent at home and the kids were up until about one in the morning reading and generally having a great time. Today Sally is over and after a bit of time relaxing ar home we popped in to Cambridge and did some shopping. Once home it was time to pop the top on a bottle of wine and then relax. I still feel really good but came over tired when at Cambridge. I was glad to get home. Linda cooked a really nice tea and pudding is defrosting. I took my first Sutent today so it will not be long before the swelling and discolouration starts. I still cannot get over how good I actually look and also how well I generally feel but I am very grateful for it.
Bob, just wanted to say hi, we haven't spoken for a while. Really pleased to read that you are feeling as well as you are. You are a busy person - always with plenty going on and certainly in my own situation that has been key to keeping active (perhaps not so much these days for me). The more that gets thrown at you, the stronger you get. It is hard to believe that Christmas is now so close. This time a year ago reaching Christmas 2009 seemed such a stretch for me but I am now so close. This time of year is such a reminder of how special the people close to us are and I am so looking forward to enjoying the festive season. Stay well Bob x x
busy as usual, then Bob, I wonder if that might be some sort of secret to coping with this wretched illness, keeping active and loving every minute of it all, much of the time?
Hi Bob so good to read how well you've been doing I really believe it's down to state of mind, you are a positive person and your determination gets you through this. Well done, I know it's tough going and tiring but sometimes we have to stop and give ourselves a pat on the back!
Hi Rosie, Helen and Jackie and I hope I find you all well. I really do believe that keeping busy and positive helps you through this illness, It has certainly worked for me and I would personally recommend it to anyone. We have had another great day today with a visit to Ely for lunch and tonight a visit to my niece in Cambridge. I again feel really good, in fact better than poor Linda who has one pretty awful cold and feels lousy. Katie and her cousin Emily have been getting on really well and it will be sad for both of them when they leave at the weekend to go back to America.
Lately I have been thinking a lot about what happens to me when I do die and because of the incredible journey I have been on, coupled with the fact I am still here to tell the tale I am thinking I would like to help scientists to discover more cancer or other medical facts and feel it could benefit others if I could leave my body to medical science. I have spoken to Linda about this and she is understandably unsure. I am hoping she will come round to the idea. It seems such a waste to be buried or burnt when someone could make use of you to help others. I have made initial email inquires just to find out the protocol.
Just spyed the kidney bit so had a read of your blog.
Anything to do with kidneys i am always wanting to find out more, but after reading your blog i realise just how lucky i am.I have had my Left Kidney out due to a 5 cm tumour on it. All is well with me,
