Just sharing my rambling thoughts about Kidney Cancer

Hi , welcome. 

As I think you are well aware, it’s probably not so much the extent of your kidney cancer that has upset you, so much as the cancer diagnosis itself - especially after your previous health concerns. Every so often something comes along and knocks us completely off balance; we’re a whirl of chaos for a while, and it takes as long as it takes but gradually we get things back under control and we can face the world upright again. A cancer discovery is always going to send us reeling. 

You probably feel that your body has tripped you up. Again. That it has let you down, or worse, is plotting against you in some way, to sabotage your life. You don’t trust it any more. That’s how I remember feeling in the early stages of my own illness, anyway. 

Kidney cancer is often, perhaps usually, found by chance. Mine only came to light when I was about to be treated for a small bladder cancer. I originally thought that I was only going to have cancer for 17 days, ha! so I know exactly what you mean about feeling guilty for getting upset when others are in a much worse place. (But it’s not a competition.)  

The impact of any cancer discovery is going to tip us upside down. Take it seriously, and take your feelings about it seriously. But gradually, as you are able to, pull the picture into focus. From what you say, the reality is that your kidney cancer has been caught very early, remarkably early, and that’s a great thing! You won’t need to lose a kidney, for a start, and you won’t have to undergo major surgery with months of recovery. Thumbs up to that. 

I haven’t had cryotherapy, or cryoablation, but I did have one tumour dealt with by radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to zap it rather than cold. It was a day-procedure, I was in hospital just overnight afterwards and it was perhaps a slightly bigger deal than I was expecting. But, depending on what your job is, you shouldn’t need to be away from work for all that long. 

Sounds to me like you’re a strong character. You’ve coped with brain surgery, lost seven stone, started a new job, that’s impressive. Sure, here’s an understandable wobble - but there’s no way you’re going to let this derail you! 

All the very best to you,

- Mark 

Well said Mark

You have faced and done so much already @blazekicker.

A second welcome to the community n  to this group. Let us know how u get on with your treatment. I won't waffle on as Mark's said it so well.

Hello Mark,

I am much stronger now and have put it into perspective and pulled myself together lol!

I really do appreciate your reply and what you are saying really hits home and makes sense and for that I am very grateful. 

To be able to express myself on a forum where people really do get it doesn’t make me feel so isolated. I have fantastic family support but they don’t really truly understand all the worry beads I have.

On the plus side my new employer has been so understanding and are very supportive so it takes that worry away. 

Thank you
Pamela

Thank you so much for the welcome, I really appreciate it. I will keep you updated. My biggest challenge is getting through my MRI this Monday coming. I do have some pills to take as I am very, very claustrophobic so send me positive thoughts please as it is going to be so much fun!

Hi Pamela, I loved being in the MRI scanner!  The CT is a bit ho-hum in comparison. In my right kidney’s last days, the hospital research department asked if I’d help them with some new tweak to their scanning technique, sent a taxi and everything, and I spent an hour and a quarter or so in the MRI. The electronic bongs and clangs were a little startling at first but I soon got used to those and found it a lot of fun. As with much that I’ve had to go through in the last couple of years, I’ve found that taking an interest in it, paying attention to what’s going on, genuinely finding it fascinating: that lessens the awkwardness, takes away a lot of the fear.  -Mark 

Good luck Pamela on Mon.

I have one every 3 months - just to see if I've still got a brain lol.

I take my fave CD by Josh Groban, lie back with my eyes closed and tune into the music. Once it gets to a certain track, I know it's nearly finished. 

Sue

Thank you and will down load some music onto my phone and hope it goes quickly lol!

Hello Mark, sorry all my email notifications are going into my junk folder so missed your response. 

It’s not so much the noise it is being confined in a small space that freaks me! Anyway just have to suck it up and get on with it. I have pre-warned them already so they will be ready for me

Anyway will let you know how it goes. 

Pamela

That's partly why I close my eyes

Hi

Welcome to our little group of lovely people - I know what you mean about finding people who "get it"

How did you get on with your MRI? Were you able to manage it ok?