I had stage 3 cancer on my left kidney, and it was removed at Cleveland Clinic June 20, 2017. Surgery was uneventful, but the surgeon made an error and nicked something that caused kyle fluid to seep into my abdomen. This required a "draining" of fluid every 7-10 days from June to Sept, 2017 as they tried ways to stem the seepage. Finally, doctors fed me through a vein in my arm for 8 hours every night from Thanksgiving and the leak finally sealed itself in January. During this time, I was not being treated for the cancer, and lost 60 pounds from the surgery and subsequent treatment to stop the leak.
Once the leakage was stopped, I was worn out and very debilitated. After a few months, the doctors found "spots" of renal cell cancer in my left lung. Surgery removed three nodules - one cancerous, two were not. After a few more months, they found new "spots" on my pancreas and spleen. During this time, and continuing through today, I have undergone immuno-therapy with Opdivo infusions monthly and Cabometryx pills (started with 40mg, but later dropped to 20mg). MRIs and CT Scans every 3 months showed a slowing and reversal as the cancer started, and continues to shrink.
After 22 months of treatment, the cancer still shows a few spots on the spleen, pancreas and lungs. I have regained my weight and some of my energy, and my coloring has returned. I was told that immuno-therapy (Opdivo) normally ends at 24 months, but the plan is to continue with Cabometryx as long as it continues to work.
So, I am at the best I have been since my surgery, and are coming up to 6 years, after losing almost a year after the surgical issues, which really held back effective cancer treatment.