Kidney cancer patients: Let's connect and introduce yourself

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!

Hello, All.
I'm Michael, a 83 YO man with stage I kidney cancer, It was found about 18 months ago incidental to a bladder retention problem which necessitated a CT. Also found was a small tumor on my right lung. The kidney was treated with a short course of radiation this past May, but has continued to grow, albeit very little. The lung tumor was treated with radiation in October, and a follow up CT will be done in March. The Thoracic Oncologist believes the lung will have been cured.
I should mention that I do not desire to have any major surgery, especially at this age. Also of not; I have chronic kidney failure of long standing, possibly caused by overuse of Ibuprofen. The CKF is stage III, and well controlled. My Type II Diabetes is also well controlled without any meds, and an A1C that has been around 6.4
The Radiation Oncologist has resumed following me for the kidney mass. This after discussions with a surgeon I saw last year, and the GenitoUrinary Oncologist I have been seeing lately. The GU Doc suggested a course of Chemo, and frankly the side effects were off-putting, so I was delighted when the RadOnc called to tell me that she would like to follow me, as the tumor is very slowly growing, and her thinking is a follow-up MRI in six months.
I had been very anxious and upset about having two different, and primary cancers. She put me at ease about my kidney tumor, and I'm hoping the small lung tumor is taken care of.
Thanks for reading this. It is important for me to know that there are so many more out there with similar diagnoses.

I’ve been dealing with Stage 3 kidney cancer for nearly a year now - actually learned the diagnosis on February 1st, 2024. My right kidney was removed at the end of March, and the surgeon called me two days later to say that it was a good thing he decided to remove the whole kidney because the tests came back that it was a Stage 3 cancer. I’m in immuno-therapy now, after seeking an oncologist on my own, but find this to be a very lonely journey. My health overall seems okay, but I get so tired. I am 68 and still working full time. My husband knows my diagnosis, but refuses to talk about it, and can’t understand my inability to keep up with all of my previous workload. He refuses to learn how to do anything to help me, and does not want to talk about this situation. I have no one else that I can talk to, but my faith keeps me going.I know he is in denial and wants everything to remain the same. Does anyone else deal with this, and if so, are there any suggestions?

Hi and I’m so glad you posted your story. Cancer is a lonely journey if you do it by yourself. My husband didn’t understand ‘my mind’ as I processed having stage IV kidney cancer.
This forum helps me to hear from others who have the same cancer, take similar drugs, feel the way I do or have felt. And can answer questions since someone has gone down the same road as me!
I too have become very tired. The meds have medically made me very tired and sick. I keep my drs up to date on all side effects…they’ve changed my life but not me.
I hold tight to my faith and that keeps me grounded. I know God has a plan…
Praying for you! Koke

I also have stage 4 kidney cancer. I take Inlyta and Keytruda for treatment. I'm also scheduled to have my right kidney removed in February. Are you doing similar treatments?