Father-in-law diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer

Hi

Sorry to read your news.  It's difficult to know what to say, as that's a lot of metastasises (is that the right derivative?).   Most people on here are either stage 1/2 and a nephrectomy or advanced ccRCC and on combination immunotherapy (like me).  I've only been a member for a couple of months and I don't recall a radiotherapy post in this group.   This could explain the lack of replies - it's not that we don't care or empathise!    <hugs>   

Thank you so much for you reply.

I completely get it and as such, wasn't completely expecting anything replies. But talking about it just helps, right? :)

Unfortunately we got the news today, that they can't operate on his tumors. They will start him on immunotherapy, hoping to give him a few years. But they made it clear that he isn't starting in a good place.

I'm trying to stay positive for my husband, but at this point, I don't think there's much to be positive about.

We will do our best to be there for my father-in-law and his wife, spend as much time with them as they'll allow and make sure our kids make some amazing memories with their grandad.

Sending love and strength to everyone who's reading, who's fighting this horrible disease x

Immunotherapy - now you are talking about my favourite specialised subject.   What drug(s)?  I am on nivo/ipi combination (nivolumab ipilimumab).  I've started to feel normal again :-)    

You might want to try your post in the carers' group for some different perspectives.  

Totally agree, talking helps.  It's why we're all on here.  

Hi again!

We've just been to see him today, for the first time since the diagnosis. Unfortunately it's spread to his ribs too! He has had a back/body brace made for him. My son loves it, cause he looks a little like a storm trooper!

In terms of immunotherapy, it looks like he will be starting in the exact same drugs as you, this coming Wednesday.

How are you getting on with them? Anything I should mention to him that he needs to be aware of? I've read loads about them both, but there's only so much you can get from researching.

Hope you're well! X

Hi - I've only had one treatment and that was 10 days ago but I am delighted with it because I've not had any side effects!   They have to tell you impacts, however unlikely, and I got this from my oncology team, the blood test 2 days prior, the pharmacist giving me all the "just-in-case" drugs and then the specialists on the day, although these guys were the most pragmatic I found. "People generally don't get side effects from these drugs" they said.  Oh and google too.  It can be a bit overwhelming.   

I've some other stuff going on too, so I'm not sure what's attributable to what drug, but I was feeling lethargic a few months back, oct/nov but I'm not now.   I'm drinking tea by the gallon, and my appetite seems to be more normal.  

I was a bit sleepy in the eve after the IV which is probably the extent of it.  

In fact, I'm now thinking I should have gone on the drug trial which would potentially have given me 3 immunotherapy drugs in combination.  More drugs = potentially greater benefits = potentially more side effects.    Never mind.  I made an informed decision with the info available at the time.  

Thank you so much for your reply, again! I've had a very good look around online, to find as much info on this combo as possible. He was supposed to have started this past Wednesday, but had to go to hospital Monday evening, as he had a lot of blood in his urine. They think it was from the radiotherapy on his spine. He just got out yesterday (Thursday).

His team at Guys hope to get started this coming Wednesday instead. Fingers crossed.

Also, we found out the cancer is now also in his adreanal gland and ribs. So that's 6 different places now...

Hope your treatment continues to go well :)