Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) Support Group

Hi Toni

MVAC is primarily used in the treatment of bladder cancer, that's probably why you don't find anyone receiving MVAC treatment in the RCC Support Group. However I searched the Bladder Cancer Support Group and the only hit I got was a brief blurb from Dr Orrange about MVAC treatment. It's at http://www.dailystrength.org/searc... You can find much more info about these drugs if you Google "MVAC chemotherapy". I too had a kidney removed recently and also would be interested in learning why your mother is receiving MVAC treatment. Best to you & yours

It is so difficult for me to ask my Mothers doctor why she is on M VAC when I do not see it listed as a med for RCC. I know they also found a small spot on her long and liver. I am thinking they took the bad kidney out but are treating the stuff they had to leave in. I think this doctor is tired of hearing me quote things I researched on the internet.

You are most likely correct as to the purpose of the MVAC treatment. I see on your profile that you are your Mom’s primary care person and as such I’m sure you want to learn as much as you can. I know as a cancer victim I want to learn as much as I can. Do you feel uncomfortable talking with your Mom’s doctors? Or do you just feel that you might be infringing on their time? If it’s the latter don’t ever be intimidated, shy or reluctant/embarrassed to ask them anything. As your mother’s advocate they are working for you and your mother, you’re the boss! Ask away.

My mother is very comfortable with her doctor. I am not. I have tried to convince her to see someone else, because I do not think he is thorough. He has been her primary care physician for 20 years, although he is an oncologist. He missed every single warning sign for RCC even though my mother has been going to him about once a month complaining about back pain and bleeding while urinating. He said it was a bladder infection and gave her antibiotics. He said the back pain was from osteoporosis. It wasn't until I forced her to go to the emergency room that they found the cancer and removed her kidney three days later. He is Indian and very difficult for me to understand. He is also short with me and with his staff, yet my mother refuses to go anywhere else. She also refuses to eat and stop smoking. I am at the end of my rope. Aside from popping pills and taking chemo, she will do nothing to help herself.

I am so sorry, you definitely sound like you are trapped between a rock and a hard spot. Does your mother see any other doctor/specialists? Nephrologist? Surgeon? Counselor? If so are you comfortable talking with them and are they aware of her smoking and eating habits? Not good for someone with RCC! If she doesn’t see other doctors or specialists do you have any other family member/s that can step up to the plate with you (brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin)? A counselor once told me that when caring for elderly parents there comes a time when the child must assume the role of the parent. These can be difficult & challenging times (it's hard to tell your parent to stop driving or it’s time to move into assisted living or it’s time to see another oncologist). Parents never want to give up that parental control to their children. But there comes a time when it must be done. Your mother is the one not taking care of herself and her choice of PCP/oncologist seems to be enabling her behavior.

Do NOT beat yourself up for your mother’s poor choices.