That is a very difficult question to answer. Each of us who are facing this scourge of mankind is in a unique situation. I am in my second struggle against cancer in three years: the first being radiation treatment for prostate cancer which ended in February of 2022 and my current treatment for kidney cancer which is Keytruda immunotherapy which started several months ago and continues with 9more treatments to go for a total of 18. Because of my age, 82, I have opted out of surgery. I cannot really advise any one person on how to handle the anxiety other than to say that once I got over the shock of each of these diagnoses I decided to take one day at a time and enjoy each day that I am allowed and to just do the everyday tasks at hand without dwelling on my illness. Knowing that there are many of us dealing with the same illness also helps in that I am not alone in this journey. My current treatment is palliative and not curative, but by not dwelling on the illness and remaining positive and enjoying each day and being thankful for that day I am dealing with any anxiety I may have.

I SO remember the day I was told I had cancer. I completely fell apart in the drs ofc at Mayo. My husband was w me and has been a saint thru it all.
I can only tell you how I'm dealing w this scourge. Though I had surgery and the tumors were successfully removed, it's 3 weeks til I go back to make sure the cancer's still gone, and apprehension is building; fear of the unknown, and the waiting, are the worst. To fight it, my motto is, 'Today is the only day"& try to daily buy off on that. I try to keep busy. And i've surrounded myself with lots of moral support of family & friends. I try to not get annoyed when well-meaning people give me advice that sours me..they aren't walking in my shoes, and don't truly know the true angst we are in. Each of us has to figure out how to daily deal emotionally w this beast, so all I can do is the same @ronsale has done and tell u how I'm handling it. Sending hugs and very best wishes to you!

@siobhain Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Good for you to see you reached out here! You have had a couple of awesome responses from @ronsale and @gangcarotid1

While I do not have renal cancer, I am an end-stage renal patient, on daily dialysis, and also a blood cancer patient, under treatment. The anxiety is definitely real. Take each day as it comes, live your life as fully as you can, include your medical team in your considerations, take to heart the support we can offer you here.
Ginger