Kidney cancer

Good evening, Chico. 

I am Jamie one of the online champions. Firstly welcome to the forum and like me, find it a great support. I was like you when I was dignsed back in October 2025. All my details in my profile. 

All what you are feeling is very normal and very understandable. But it is treatable and has very positive outcomes. So please ignore the scary side of Dr google. He is all doom and gloom. I made this mistake...so talking from experience. 

There are many others who have been where you are now, and that includes myself. But I am here to tell the tail and return work this Friday. I still have more treatment to go, but this is not the case for everyone. 

I promise once you get past this shock, it really does become easier. 

Please let me know if you need any other support. I am always happy to chat more or find answers to the many questions you may have. Our helpline is always on hand to talk things through as well. They helped me when I felt all was lost. 

Take care, 

Jamie  

First of all I'm really sorry about your diagnosis. Secondly you are a superhero. You've got this, they caught mines early in December but i needed the full kidney out. Make sure you have plenty of support and don't try to do to much after your operation 

Thank you, I hope you are in a good place now

Hi Chicho, just to say you are not alone, and as others on here have said, the shock of your diagnosis will fade a little as time goes on. Try not to worry too much about the surgery - I know that’s easier said than done, but you will get through it! I had part of my kidney removed a few weeks ago so I’m a bit further down the line. Wishing you all the best. 

You don;t say how "recently".  Days, months?  Anyway, the fact it's "recent" means it's early days and your emotions will be all over the place.    I know it's difficult to grasp right now, but it really does get easier.  

I had a kidney removed 9 weeks ago and starting chemo in June.  I'm constantly worried that it has spread even though my consultant thinks it was contained in the kidney.  I get lots of aches and pains and then think it's spread.  I constantly have a tight chest and back which I think very could be anxiety.  Anyone else have these symptoms? Thanks

Hi JayneT. 

9 weeks is still early for recovery time. So I would try not to worry to much. I had mine removed in December and still get some back pain, side pain and fatigue. I also still get the discomfort in the right side even though the kidney is not there. Your body is been through a lot and often we forget the inside heals slower than the outside. 

Its still a worrying and anxious time. I think how fast things progress from diagnosis, surgery and then recovery is often a stage we dont actually process till much later down the road. I am only just myself starting to actually think about how much I have gone through these last few months. 

I have only just return back to work this month. So do take your time with your recovery.

All my cancer was removed surgically but need furthur treatment to prevent it growing anywhere else is the idea. They will monitor you and arrange regular scans and blood tests. So if there were any changes they will see and know about it sooner. But sounds like the consultant is happy with how things are which is a real positive. 

Hope this helps, 

Best wishes, 

Jamie 

Hi Jayne, I’m also 9 weeks post-op,and like you and Jamie696, I’m still experiencing  pain and discomfort - pretty much every day and it’s worse at night. I think it’s a normal part of recovery as the internal healing takes at least a few months. It’s only really hit me more recently what a big trauma my body has gone through (I had an adrenal gland removed as well as most of one kidney). It’s a lot to deal with and feeling anxious about whether the cancer has spread, or may spread, is completely understandable. I don’t know yet about mine either - I have had a load of new scans and am hoping nothing bad shows up - seeing the oncologist next week to get results. Wishing you well.