My name is Lyd. I am a 53 year old female from Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Last fall, I urgently needed spinal surgery for 5 herniated lumbar discs with multiple areas of stenosis and nerve root impingement. My surgeon wanted an updated MRI beforehand. That showed a "tumour vs. cyst" and the rest of the imaging followed until the CT with contrast said "suspected RCC." I had a radical nephrectomy in early February for clear cell, renal cell carcinoma - Stage 3, Grade 2, necrosed and ruptured. I started Pembro (Keytruda) immunotherapy at the end of April. I'm getting 400mg every 6 weeks. I'm a Nurse Manager at my local hospital. I've been on sick leave and now long-term disability since last fall. I won't be able to return to work until after the spinal surgery and, I won't be able to have the spinal surgery until I am both 8 weeks post immunotherapy and with an NED (no evidence of disease) full-body CT with contrast. And, then the recovery from the spinal surgery, of course. I basically need a cage around my entire lower spine with a rod running through it. I'm married to a retired heavy equipment operator. I have an adult son and an adult daughter as well as an adult step-daughter. Canada, like the UK, has universal healthcare (minus dental and prescriptions) but, by each Province. Except for chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Unfortunately, we still make our most sick and desperate patients jump through political and financial hoops with their employers, healthcare plans, and provincial healthcare. When all else fails, the drug companies will often fund chemo or immunotherapy drugs through their compassionate care programs. I am very lucky that Ontario Health has recognized the long-term savings of paying for 1 year of Pembro (Keytruda) for stages 2 and 3 RCC (i.e. the Provincial Government saves more health care dollars later by imcreasing our 4-year and long-term survival rates now). I apologize for the long-winded introduction but, that's the nuts and bolts of being an RCC Fighter and Survivor in almost the geographical center of Canada.
