Kidney cancer patients: Let's connect and introduce yourself

I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in May of 2023 surgery in June. Currently in undergoing immunotherapy as well as oral daily meds.
First time reaching out to another who has the same. Some days are tougher than others.
My name is Brent. I am 51 yrs old.
Hope you are doing ok? You aren’t alone !
BC

Kidney cancer is the crazy aunt of cancer. It apparently manifests in weird and unusual ways. Mine chewed through my right humerus. April 2020 - right at the start of Covid. I got my arm "rodded" and radiated. They started me on Keytruda. I had a reaction and got pneumonitis after a few weeks and had to go to the emergency room at the height of covid. Fun! I was put on Cabometyx - we dinked around with dosages - I tolerate a 40 mg dose, which I still take. After the vaccine came out - I got immunized and then had my cancerous left kidney removed in May 2021. It was a laproscopic procedure, but I have to be honest - I felt like I had been scooped out with an ice cream scooper. After my recovery my routine became: Cabometyx 40 mg every day / monthly blood draws and a shot of Xchiva. I get stuck in the tube for a bone and CAT scan every 6 month. The last scan (6/23) showed some inactive tumors on my arm, but I it wasn't bad news, I just got scanned again the day after Christmas. I get the results on Friday. The thing about cancer that people don't get is the overhanging dread all the time waiting for the results. I work full time and it helps to keep my mind off my predicament. But when I get some down time the negative thoughts start going. I hope my story helps somebody. I would love to hear from other folks. Misery loves company.

It feels like getting scooped out with an ice cream scoop. God bless...

I take a Cabometryx tablet every evening and have an Opdivo infusion each month. No chemo drug treatment, just this immunotherapy that I have taken for the last 2 1/2 years (I had some problems from the surgery itself that delayed starting any real cancer treatment).

I take Cabometryx every night and receive an Opdivo infusion once a month at Cleveland Clinic. Other than that, my life is just the same as before.
There are a few side effects (relatively minor), but none that would dissuade me continuing the treatment. Normally doctors limit Opdivo to 2 years due to concerns about the possibility of side-effects, but I convinced them that we should continue the same treatments, as they were working...
It is important to have doctors whom you trust and will listen to your desires for treatment - It is your body!
Good Luck....

YOUVE GOT THIS ! ! Praying for strength and healing !

Hi! I take a chemo drug daily and immunotherapy every 4 weeks. Did you ever take chemo drug? Do you still have immunotherapy? If not, how long did you and when did you stop?

I had my kidney removed (stage 3 cancer) June 2017, and have had no problems with one kidney since. Subsequent immunotherapy has shrunk the post surgery "spots" that popped up in the lungs, then the spleen and pancreas and is now almost all gone (although I believe that cancer is never "all gone". Good Luck in whatever you decide...

Having my port placed tomorrow, Echo next week, chemo begins Jan. 3 and 4. 12 weeks of chemo, 1 month off, then surgery. This will be followed by one year of immune therapy. I think there is way more I don't know. Don't know anything nutritionally yet. Best news for stage IV is "curative intent". I just hope I'm as tough as I think I am!

How are you doing, @drmarci? I know you probably received a lot of information at your appointment. How are you feeling about the treatment plan?