In Autumn 2018 I took a PSA test, the result was high. In October '18 I was given a Prostate biopsy which proved my prostate to be in good order but an ultrasound test found a mass on my left kidney. A CT Scan proved it to be an advanced renal tumour so I had a left radical nephrectomy in March '19, and the follow-up CT Scan in August '20 showed multiple pleural metastases, a CT guided biopsy showing that I had metastatic renal cell carcinoma. In February '21 I started a course of targeted therapy with Tivosanib and by February '22 I was adjudged to be clear of cancer and taken off treatment.
By October '22 the renal cell carcinoma was back, and by April '24 I started a course of targeted therapy with Pazopanib, suspended because I had two external lesions which were removed in separate operations. Both of these lesions proved to be metastatic renal cell carcinoma. I then had radiotherapy to the site of one of these because of incomplete excision. I resumed taking Pazopanib until January '25 when a CT Scan showed the cancer to be "significantly progressing".
I've been the principal carer for my wife after a back injury left her handicapped, and the side effects of both drugs were tolerable with support from my Oncologist and medication to alleviate the worst effects so we were now faced with a dilemma. I was offered two drug therapies, both of which had a risk of some toxicities, which I was reluctant to chance for fear of damaging my one remaining kidney. We opted for Best Supportive Care, essentially to see what happens next. I have an appointment in mid-July to see my oncologist, and if all goes according to plan I will have blood tests and a CT Scan before that. I haven't mentioned that one of the lesions is on my left shoulder blade and is proving troublesome, and I have been offered radiotherapy to ease the pain.
I'm in an awkward place at the moment, although we have succeeded in getting carers to assist with my wife's needs. I'm sleeping well but there's the little voice that's asking what's happening to the cancer, there's the inability to do what I know needs to be done around the house, my Forum name might be a clue. If this has appeared to be a tedious moan I'm sorry, but I don't want to unburden myself to my wife, she has justifiable worries for the future, and to be honest, so have I.
Hi Vintage1938 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I was diagnosed with a different type of cancer to you I know how a cancer diagnosis can impact the whole family.
The online community is divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you join the kidney cancer group, which is a great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support.
To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
