Anxiety over husband’s cancer

Hi Worried 1987  I totally understand your concern as you both are going through this process together I had a similar situation and with the help and support of my wife we came out the other side.

Definitely use this forum it's fantastic and the help and support are really good.

Can I ask did you get a Macillian nurse as a contact I know that some times you need to ask the questions which to be honest are small but in your situation becomes a nightmare.

Also recommend speaking to the helpline as they can help also try your GP mine was great but due to COVID it wasn't always possible to speak to him unless I played the C card ( strange but true )

People sometimes forget that you are also going through this process and yes it's scary because we also had the what if conversation 

. However at least your Husband is in a better place and fingers crossed  he's free.

I had a CT scan last week and awaiting results with my consultant next week.

Please stay positive try not to worry about things which we have no control over.

Stay safe & good luck

Mike

Exactly the same situation as you and so sorry you’ve been through this. My husband was also diagnosed with a very similar tumour. He’s had his kidney removed and I don’t think it’s spread but we will know more when he has his next scan. He’s going to have immunotherapy to prevent it coming back.
I’m still in shock even months later. It was diagnosed in A&E. He’s very quiet and not talking to me a lot. I feel a bit alone and not sure what to say or do. I put on a brave face but don’t want to appear too happy either. It does suck but I know we will get through this. We’ve been married since I was 20 and now I’m 38 with 3 kids. He is my best friend. I’m so grateful medicine is continuously improving and that we can share our experiences with each other.

My husband had skin cancer and I have a benign tumor in my kidney. Its not easy when you don't know what the future may bring but just try to take each day at a time and look after each other. I understand how nervous you may feel waiting for the next scan etc but its out of your hands. Fingers crossed for your husband. x

Worried1987 said:

We are so worried - am I right in thinking that if it returns that there’s not much that can be done?

I don't think this is the case.  I have read about a lot of people who have had a nephrectomy, the cancer has returned, and they have been offered treatment, like immunotherapy.  It just becomes a stage 4 issue, and you move onto level 2 treatment - level 1 having been the nephrectomy. 

Actually, it's coming back to me now, I did discuss having the kidney out AND starting immunotherapy with my oncologist registrar (Dec 2021).  She confirmed a treatment option is to have the kidney out, but then you have to wait until a progression before anything else will be offered.   

Kidney cancer is quite behind other common cancers with no adjuvant treatment being standard after a nephrectomy, although some on here are now being given the opportunity.  I'd suggest you ask your oncologist about adjuvant treatment and trials as it is available.  

Early identification and nephrectomy has the best long term outcomes for KC.  Macmillan offer some "moving on from cancer" courses for people who have "finished" treatment and trying to return to "normal" and come to terms with the "what-if" you articulate.  But you're right, once you have the diagnosis, it's always at the back of your mind.