BOB JK My diary of kidney cancer (to be continued)
FormerMember
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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.
well thats the first one out of the way, only nine more to go. I think this is going to be tough. We arrived in good time and first of all had some blood taken, it will be interesting to hear about the results as halfway to London I started getting blister like spots on my arms, legs and tummy. they were itching like mad. Linda said to me " I hope you are going to show those to the radiologist". Of course I didn't, I didn't want to risk my treatment. Anyway they had subsided by a fair amount. I met the team doing my treatment and they explained that it would be done over 10 sessions each one giving the whole brain a measured dose of radiation. Then it was off to the machine and after laying down the mask was paced over my head and press-studded down. Then they did a quick scan before giving the treatment. Next time I will resist opening my eyes and having a peep as once I had done that, I could not close them again due to the tightness of the mask. Once done it was back to Linda in the waiting area, then home. I felt ok immediately afterwords but feel a bit queasy now. Im hoping its because I am still on my worst Sutent period. So day two tomorrow, Julie is taking me down. That promises to be an experience, me with my limited memory and Julie who does not drive through London to often. If I do not post tomorrow night it will be because we are either lost in London or circling the M25 trying to get home. Its good to be home and thanks again my darling Linda for your love, driving, company and a reassuring hand to hold. xx Thanks also to my other sister in America for sending over some special cream to apply to the radiated areas. xx
, i hope you dont mind me asking you a few question about the sutent tablet my mom just finished her first 28 days of sutent tablets the week as not been to good for she's had a sore mouth so she's not eating very well she also a yellow colour is that normal any advise please
The yellow colour and the Sore mouth are both classic symptoms. I have been lucky and not ever really had the sore mouth but if you look back on this diary or can find a sutent thread, there are recommendations. . The yellow colour will come and go along with other colours as well, I have been almost every colour of the rainbow, expect the grey hair as well as upset tummy, it is worth it in the end so tell her to persevere.
Im up ready for my 2nd trip in to London. Im feeling a bit wobbly but probably need to eat as last night i could not face food at all. need to shower so better get on.
You amaze me ! You still find time to help and advise others despite what you are going through yourself. A true inspiration ! Good luck with your second treatment today.
Thinking of you through this. I admire you unbelievably, just remember to do whatever you have to do for yourself to get through what will undoubtably be a very difficult time.
Thats the second one out of the way. Ive just managed a sarnie. Feel ok at the moment but suspect it will be later on when im feeing rough. One of the machines had broken down so we were expecting a long wait but in fact got saw half an hour early. Julie did well on the driving front. Its good to be home and rest up for a bit. It was lovely and sunny in London and the walk from the car to the hospital was glorious. Linda will be taking Kate to her therapy soon and me, well ill be having a little nap!!
