I have joined the group this morning . I had kidney cancer in August 2015 which resulted in the removal of my left kidney in October 2015 . I had shown no symptons at all up to this point and had been out for a family meal the previous evening when I started to feel ill and couldn't stop vomiting followed by blood in my urine . At first I was blaming it on something I had eaten at the restaurant .The following October a scan picked up the appearance of small paratracheal lymph nodes with a gradual increase on surveillance . For a while everything was stable but then one of my regular scans picked up on cancer in my prostate in April 2022 . I had radiotherapy to treat this in November 2022 .
In October 2023 my original cancer had metastasized into my right kidney and also my lungs/chest area . I then was started on a 2 year Immunotherapy treatment with sessions every 4 weeks .
In March 2025 I had an operation to clear my sinuses and also to take some biopsies that had shown up something abnormal in that area . The operation had to be stopped because I was losing so much blood and had to be given multiple transfusions . When I later read the notes it was described as a "life threatening , near catastrophic" situation . The consultant advised me that further surgery was deemed to be too dangerous.
Further MRI scans to investigate my sinuses picked up on a tumor in my brain and the likelihood that the problem with my sinuses is also cancer related . My Immunotherapy was stopped at this point and I was put on Sunitinib tablets . 4 weeks on , 2 weeks off . I did not take to the new medication straight away and was hospitalized for a week while it was sorted and have tolerated it quite well since. I had radiotherapy on the brain tumor in August 2025 and recent scans showed up well so it's just a case of keep taking the tablets and turning up for blood tests and scans .
In the middle of all this in December 2021 I was very poorly with Covid and was hospitalized . It was quite a shock to be sat on the sofa at home when a doctor came out to see me and he immediately told my wife to phone for an ambulance . It was quite surreal to hear him say to the 999 operator that the ambulance was required urgently as there was a "danger to life" . When I eventually left hospital I saw one of the nurses who first looked after me when I was admitted and she told me that she didn't think I was going to make it the first week I was in . That too was a weird feeling !! We had to have oxygen installed in the house for months afterwards to help with my rehabilitation .
Another strange episode during this period was when a doctor on his daily rounds told me that due to my history with cancer that a DNR had been put on my notes . I contested this and got onto my wife who contacted a couple of people including my Christies consultant and the DNR was eventually lifted but for a few hours it was very stressful.
Apologies for waffling on but that's about it .
Hi Pitman1961 , welcome to the group. Quite a story you have there. You've had a tough time of it.
I can directly relate to some of your story. I've also had a kidney removed, back in 2018. I've had many of the same treatments, been hospitalized twice because of it and also have a DNR on my file, which has not been removed. I understand why I have it, due to a tumour in my brain stem. It wasn't easy but it did provoke the best discussions I've been able to have with my three adult children. It hasn't been easy to help them understand.
No apologies needed for waffling. It's important to be able to tell your story, feel free to chat away. I promise to try and respond.
Best wishes.
Hi Sandy , thanks for the reply .
I have already realized in my short time on the forums that it's really good to talk to people who know and understand completely what feelings and emotions you go through on your journey with cancer ,
My wife and daughter have joined a Macmillan group local to us that deals specifically with relatives of patients which they have found useful for dealing with things how they see them. I think sometimes with all the focus on the patient that close family feel a little left out of things so to be able to talk to people in similar situations has been a great help to them . I don't attach blame to anyone for this situation but it's just with the patient getting the treatment . Although I do have to say that the team I am under at Christies always ask whoever is with me do they have any questions .
I never really think about my health issues apart from hospital times and when I read about other peoples experiences such as yourself I am in awe of how positive they are despite being faced with such difficult times .
A good friend of my said to me a while back that do I ever think "why me ?" to which I replied "well why not me ?" and he said he couldn't see himself thinking that way but I guess we are all different .
My own take on things right from back in 2015 has been to say to the medical people to send me my appointments and I will be there and then I am in your hands to do what you need to do . I also very rarely , if ever , read any of the literature that they give to me. I'm not burying my head in the sand it's just the way I deal with things and I always remain positive .
Anyway there I go waffling again :-) but thanks again for your reply
take care
Peter , my real name . The Pitman thing comes from my time working down the coal mines in my youth .
By coincidence, I got a phone call from the McMillan community team yesterday, which has fixed up some support for my wife; which is great. They really are a fantastic resource to have.
On the whole, I agree with your approach to medical issues. I also try to just get on with things. Latest issue is testing that though! Nosebleed started yesterday and didn't stop for 4 hours. Bleeding again now. Waiting for a call back from my oncology team who are discussing things. It's hard to get on with things whilst catching drips of blood from your nose. Seems strange to have so many major things going on and yet get stopped by something as trivial as a nosebleed. Ah well....
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2026 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007