in December 2025, when a CT scan for a sore back unexpectedly revealed a lump on my kidney—a discovery that turned my world upside down just as the year was ending. The following weeks were a gauntlet of waiting and testing, leading to a biopsy in January that confirmed the diagnosis. By February 16th, I underwent a radical nephrectomy to remove the entire kidney. To move from a symptom as common as a sore back to a full organ removal in roughly ten weeks is physically and emotionally exhausting. I have essentially been in "survival mode" since the end of last year, navigating a complex medical system and facing a life-altering surgery with very little time to process the shock.
Since then I'm struggling to cope with my mental health and be around people and be the person that I used to be, I no longer recognise the woman I was. I'm 50 next month, last month in my head i was organising my funeral i know that sounds morbid but your in a negative mindset until you get your results from urology. Urology got back to me and said great news Lorraine its less than 20% chance of coming back i should be jumping for joy but I'm petrified am the 20%. Ave been isolating myself from friends, went back to work to quick, now I can't even think about going back. Am not the same person I was this time last year. I need to be that girl again.
Awe thank you so much and sending a big hug to you to I've got an appointment in 2 weeks with a mental health dr because I'm not coping. I just wish the crying would stop its so bad 
