Hi all,
I’ve just joined this community ten weeks post-op after a radical nephrectomy to remove my left kidney. I’m a 39 yo male otherwise of good health.
I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma in early March. This whole thing has been a massive whirlwind and my life has been thrown upside down. Prior to the surgery and only a week after my diagnosis, my partner left me - something that added another layer to the trauma of such a rapid decline in my health and a serious diagnosis… However thanks to my family and friends plus my wonderful employer and colleagues I’ve been able to get through this period.
im starting immunotherapy in a week and a half and whilst still scared, im hopeful for the future even if right now im struggling a lot with fatigue and just coming to terms with everything that’s happened in a relatively short period of time.
I look forward to hopefully chatting with, getting support from and maybe even supporting some of you if I can. I work in the field of substance misuse and addiction - so im used to being the carer not the cared for!
I wish you all well, and thanks in advance to anyone who sees this and replies!
Hi Retroshark and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your story so far.
I know from experience having been on my cancer journey for over 26 years with two very rare, hard to treat types of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (one incurable), Asbestosis and Prostate Cancer that navigating this journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but talking with and getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated…….
…….. support group.
This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
To connect in with the group please click on the link above……. then once the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
As always the Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits and financial guidance or just a listening ear.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.
