About a month ago, mid-November 2019, my Urologist called saying I likely had early-stage kidney cancer. Since then appointments, Christmas shopping, and surgery. My right kidney, along with a cancerous tumor was removed.
Bullet dodged. I am a little sick of sleeping in a recliner but I am, in fact, thankful and well on the way to recovery.
The “early stage” in early-stage kidney cancer means cancer has not spread to any other organs. Early-stage kidney cancer has no symptoms. I had no symptoms. There is no routine test to screen for early-stage kidney cancer. Mine was discovered by a CT Scan. The chain of events leading to the CT Scan will forever be viewed by me as a life-saving miracle.
Once cut out, early-stage kidney cancer, rarely recurs. However, if kidney cancer spreads to other organs, it is tough to battle. Kidney cancer is resistant to many of the standard treatments. Mine was early-stage kidney cancer. As my Urologist said, if you have to have cancer, early-stage kidney cancer is a good one to have.
About two weeks post-surgery, I am doing well but still in recovery mode. A couple of days ago it dawned on me, a cancer survivor is now part of who I am. Fortunately, I am a cancer survivor whose prognosis is looking good. At the very least, I will not die from cancer in my right kidney. The right kidney is gone.
I am age 67 now. Over the last couple of years, it feels like every couple of months, someone posts an obituary of a former high school classmate. Every time I see one, it gives me pause. I know and accept we all will die of some cause at some point. I, for one, want to live as long as practical. At least for now, I do not want to focus on my death.
I will be a cancer survivor until I am not. In the meantime, my life continues. I hereby choose to not to put an asterisk related to kidney cancer on any future plans. I have no plans to ride a bull in a rodeo or parachute out of an airplane just because I survived cancer. Why tempt the fates.
So that is that. We move on.
Here is a bit of the “how” my cancer was discovered and what the past month or so has been like. Remember, I had no symptoms of kidney cancer, Nobody suspected I had kidney cancer. Also, for the record, robotic-assisted surgery is kind of cool.
About 6 years ago I had a pain in my side. After a CT Scan and an MRI, It turned out to be a blood-filled cyst one on each kidney. It was so rare, I signed a release so a radiologist could publish the details. I have no idea if the details were actually published. So for 30 months, every six months I would get a follow-up ultrasound which confirmed the blood in the cysts was being absorbed by my body. The Urologist wanted me to have one last scan six months hence. I don’t remember why but three years ago, I canceled the final ultrasound scan and did not reschedule it.
Jump ahead about 3 years or so to early October 2019. During my annual physical, I get all the standard tests including a prostate exam. The doctor said the prostate felt fine. A couple of days later I log into the Allina MyChart and there is the following note from my doctor. The note says my:
“PSA level is still within normal limits, but we get a little more concerned when the PSA level increases by more than 0.7 from one year to the next.” … I think that it would be a good idea for you to check back in with a Urology specialist again regarding your prostate gland.”
So, there I am waiting in my Urologist’s exam room. He walks in not looking pleased. He says he just reviewed my case file. He noted that I did not get the last ultrasound scan. He emphasized how important it is for me to have these scans. He indicated he was reluctant to treat me unless I agree to get an ultrasound of my kidneys. I agree, of course. He exams my prostate and says my prostate is good.
The ultrasound scan is six days later. A couple of days later, the urologist office calls stating the radiologist would like me to get a CT scan just to be safe.
A couple of days after the CT Scan my Urologist, himself, calls to tell me I have a semi-solid cancerous tumor on my right kidney based on the report from the radiologist. A week later, my Urologist is taking Linda and me on a 3-dimensional tour of my insides. We see the cyst and the cancerous growth next to it.
In the post-surgery appointment I learn just how lucky I was. The radiologist interpreting my ultrasound compared it to my last ultrasound 3 years earlier and noticed a slightly darker spot next to the now, not blood-filled cyst. Probably nothing but just in case we better order a CT Scan.
So my General Practitioner says it is probably is nothing but go to the Urologist just be safe.
The Urologist confirms it was nothing but because of my past, insists I get one last scan just to be safe.
The radiologist looking at the “one last scan” says it is probably nothing but just to be safe let us do the CT scan.
Well, in my view, that is a miracle. I am now a cancer survivor.
Officially I had a robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy performed by a highly skilled and experienced surgeon. The post-surgery pathology report confirmed the 5 X 4 X 3.5 cm tumor on my kidney was clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The margins were not involved by the carcinoma which is to say the cancer was contained within the tumor and had not spread.
I am thankful beyond words to all of the professionals who worked together on my behalf and for the support from family, friends, neighbors and even strangers. Support makes a real difference.
I am not sure the doctor understood the look on my face when I promised I would get scans for the next ten years. I was thinking to myself, wow that is cool, he has confidence that I will be alive for the next 10 years.
What you see depends on how close your look. Scale and Perception.com