How do I move on?

I felt exactly them same I was just so negative about everything. My thoughts back then turned to the future with not seeing my grandchildren growing up and leaving my wife all alone at home, etc, etc. Believe you me it’s very hard but it does drastically improve as you recover and you become more positive. I’m a 63 year old male and had my right kidney removed back in 2017 and physically I recovered very well. Last year a scan showed that the renal cancer cells still present in my body had been picked up in my my pelvis, so once again my world came crashing down with back to negative thoughts. Nowadays it’s a fact I’ve accepted and I just get on with life, reading past posts on here with other people’s experiences is very reassuring. At the moment the daily medication I’m on is keeping things under control and my negativity has virtually diminished. Just before the periodic scans I have to have I’m very apprehensive but once the results come through that up to now are quite positive I’m overjoyed. Stay strong and as I’ve already said things will improve.

Hi Sarah,

3 years ago (aged 43) I was diagnosed with a 6.5cm tumour on my left kidney. I too had a radical nephrectomy.

It is only natural to worry about the cancer returning and it probably took me about a year to stop thinking every ailment was either a new cancer or the old one returning.

3 years on the scars have faded to nothing and I have never felt better.

Just wanted to reassure you that eventually you will feel normal and life will feel just the same as before.

It's probably been said before, but I can highly recommend walking. It's a great way to get you back to where you were physically, and mentally it gives such a boost.

Kind Regards

Chris

Hello Chris

Thank you for getting back to me, especially in these stressful and uncertain days.

I am two weeks post op and I’m starting to feel physically much better. 

You are right! I have this pain in my ribs/under arm and I am stressing about what it could be. Even though it feels muscular and I imagine I was thrown about a bit during surgery etc.....

I am also panicking they’ve got my prognosis wrong, have left a message for my consultant and haven’t heard back. My mind is overdrive and then I rationalise. Realise I’m being ridiculous, operations etc are being cancelled and he will be incredibly busy.

I am going away for a few days with my husband - looking forward to it and being with nature!

Thank you again for your reply. You’ve given me great hope xxxx

I htink the initial finding out, going through tests etc puts you in such a daze it doesnt hit you for some time, the seriousness then hits you like a bus when you are recovering, this has just happened to me, 4 months after the op while waiting for my CT scan, nurse appointments being cancelled due to the virus currently doing the rounds. Im struggling to get info on my current condition, but can not get appointments, this has made me more aware of my situation.

still just one more week before my CT scan, and then an appointment back at hospital, the downside of this is you tend to get yourself worked up leading up to appointments, then relax again afterwards, so yes its perfectly normal, anxiety is never fun, just keep your chin up, stay positive this is the most important thing.

You should soon be back to normal.

Thank you Ollie

Its sobering and comforting to realise I’m not the only one.

I hope everything goes well for you in the coming weeks, I’m sure it will! 

if anyone is struggling - I have been reading a great book written by Sheree McGee - picking up the Pieces, moving forward after cancer. 

it has really helped xxxxxxx

Hi

Thanks for book recommendation.

Sue

Hi 

Googling is one of the worst things u can do, as a lot of stuff on there is outdated.

Developments re kidney cancer drugs are coming on apace, eg I'm on Pazopanib but if that stops working my oncologist told me he'd have a choice of 4 other meds,  3 oral and one via IV ( immunotherapy).

Once things settle down- which I know is difficult due to the coronavirus- then you will feel better n will have some sort of routine to follow.

Trust me , as someone who's now into 15 years of living with kidney cancer and having regular scans to monitor it.

I have RCC but I know there are others in this group with the same type as yourself. Try searching in ' discussion' under Chromophobe.

Hope that helps x

Thank you so very much xxx

Hi Sarah

You must feel like you're out of the frying pan into the bloody fire with this virus too! How are you feeling now?

I had a total meltdown on NYE 5 months after my op. Thought I'd been doing fine, turned out that I wasn't. I think actually living in the moment with your fears is a much healthier thing to do. Everything that you're feeling is perfectly normal and acknowledging that now is brilliant.

Macmillan offer a counselling service - I was given access to it through my oncology nurse - but I would be surprised if you can't just self refer. Do you have a Macmillan unit in your hospital? Ir you can give them a call.

Keep well

Hello 

Sorry for the delay. I got lost in a whirlwind and I’m only re signing in today and checking messages - I’m waiting on my pathology results this week and I’m freaking out about them.

I have been teary for days.

i had a biopsy and they were able to give me my type, but I’m worried the pathology is going to come back and things much worse. 
Googling things like ‘how reliable is a biopsy’.

I am honestly making myself ill xxxx