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Every103
Every103 Member Posts: 2 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

Cancer has touched my life in many ways. In 1980, I lost my mother to ovarian cancer when she was just 28 years old. Her death left a profound impact on me, and I’ve carried her memory with me throughout my life. This year, cancer struck closer to home than I ever imagined—this time, within my own body.

On October 2, 2024, during my annual physical exam, my primary care doctor found a hard lump in my upper right abdomen. I joked, “I hope that’s muscle from me working out,” but my doctor’s serious expression told me otherwise. He immediately ordered an ultrasound to investigate further.

Two days later, on October 4, I went to a local imaging center for the ultrasound. That afternoon, my doctor called me with news that took my breath away: there appeared to be a large mass on my right kidney. Hearing those words felt surreal and terrifying, but my doctor reassured me that we would address it swiftly.

The next morning, October 5, I went for a CT scan. Shortly after, on my way home, my doctor called again, urging me to see a specialist as soon as possible.

On October 7, I met with a urologist who reviewed the images and confirmed that the tumor was large and growing out of my right kidney. He wasted no time recommending surgery to remove the kidney, stressing the importance of acting quickly. We scheduled the operation for October 17, 2024.

The morning of the surgery, I was a bundle of nerves, but the surgical team’s confidence and professionalism helped put me at ease. The surgery was successful in removing my right kidney and the tumor. The next day, the entire surgical team came to check on me in my room—a gesture that meant so much to me. The urologist also stopped by first thing that morning to see how I was doing.

When the pathology report came back, I learned that the tumor was a 13.5 cm papillary renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. Thankfully, it was confined to the kidney and hadn’t spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. All surgical margins were clear of cancer—a tremendous relief.

I’m forever grateful to my primary care doctor for discovering the tumor during a routine exam, and to the urologist and surgical team for their skill and care.

Cancer is a journey no one wants to face, but I’ve learned the importance of early detection, compassionate care, and a supportive community. I share my story in honor of my mother and as a reminder to others: your health matters, and it’s vital to take every step to protect it. Together, we can fight back against cancer and move closer to a world where no one has to face it alone. Hope my story has brighten someone's day.

Comments

  • Mark331
    Mark331 Member Posts: 3 *
    #2

    Thank you for your story, it’s really helpful. I have a 6.8x7.0x7.0 mass on my right kidney and am having laparoscopic total nephrectomy on Dec 17. It’s nice to know what to expect

  • Deanie0916
    Deanie0916 Member Posts: 628 Member
    #3

    Thank you for sharing, so glad the surgery was successful!

  • stub1969
    stub1969 Member Posts: 985 Member
    #4

    It's like getting hit by a Mac Truck! I still remember everything when I was told about my kidney cancer—I don't think I'll ever forget this time in my life. Fortunately, my cancer was found early and has not had a reoccurrence. My advice is for you to keep up with your scan schedule. If anything does pop up, they'll catch it early, which will help the doctors in making a plan.

    Wishing you the best!

    Stub

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