Hi,
I always wondered how I would react if I was given a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately my time had come, after a visit to my doctor in October for what I thought was a UTI, and then in the early hours the following morning a visit to A&E for what I thought was very painful kidney stones, I left 10 hours later being informed that a large tumour had been found and I would need a radical nephrectomy.
The last few months have been crazy, I was fortunate to get a contrast scan 2 days later which showed I had a 10 x 9 cm tumour. I was then very lucky to be referred quickly and within 1 month of my diagnosis I had a radical nephrectomy. My healing has gone well, my stomach (which was never flat in first place) is out of shape and still to be looked at, and I still have a red, itchy skin rash across my bottom, inner thighs, lower back and arms. The cause has not been confirmed due to the variety of meds that I was on in hospital.
I received my pathology results yesterday, it stated Grade 3, PT3a. Which means I am an intermediate risk of it recurring. I am waiting a ct scan and an appointment with the oncology team to discuss whether I am eligible to be considered for immunotherapy treatment with Pembrolizumab, (this needs to be soon because I only have 5 weeks for the window to close on the treatment starting). Or should I take the second option and have regular moniand ct scans. I really dont know what to do.
I havd heard about some of the side effects but I really would like to hear from people in a similar position as me. I already have hypothyroidism, would this get worse. I am a 56 year old female. Thank you
Hi Daisy294 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 haven't had a radical nephrectomy or immunotherapy I can understand you wanting to talk to others who have.
The online community is divided into different support groups and, although you haven't said what type of cancer you're being treated for, I think a radical nephrectomy is performed for kidney cancer so I'm going to recommend that you join the kidney cancer group as you'll then connect directly with others who have the same type of cancer as you.
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 proposed 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"
Hi Janet
There's no rush to do your profile. It's more important that you connect with others in the kidney cancer group for support.
Anne
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
