Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) Support Group
Renal cell carcinoma, also known by a gurnistical tumor, is the most common form of kidney cancer arising from the renal tubule. It is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Initial therapy is with surgery. It is notoriously resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, although some cases respond to immunotherapy.
I just want to post a little update on this sunny (now) Friday afternoon. I'm not exactly sure where you're supposed to post this kind of thing?
Anyway, tomorrow D will be on Day 28 of the first dose of Sutent - and has managed to get through it with a minimum of side effects, which is so good to see. So, a break of 2 weeks, then another month, and then another round of scans to see what, if anything, has changed. His main problem is really his immobility due to serious pain in his back and hip from the pelvic tumour, though he may be getting some radiotherapy to target that in the next couple of weeks.
We're doing ok really. It's strange how quickly this has become our reality. I've stopped work for now to focus all my energy on getting through this/fighting it/call it what you will. There are things going on on so many levels I think - trying to accept that cancer isn't something inherently evil, working on diet, trying to implement new routines into our day...there's so much to work on apart from the purely physical. I wonder what, if any,complementary therapies any of you use for yourselves or your loved ones?
It's all about treasuring each day, isn't it?
with very best wishes for a lovely weekend to all on here
Meriel x x x
Anyway, tomorrow D will be on Day 28 of the first dose of Sutent - and has managed to get through it with a minimum of side effects, which is so good to see. So, a break of 2 weeks, then another month, and then another round of scans to see what, if anything, has changed. His main problem is really his immobility due to serious pain in his back and hip from the pelvic tumour, though he may be getting some radiotherapy to target that in the next couple of weeks.
We're doing ok really. It's strange how quickly this has become our reality. I've stopped work for now to focus all my energy on getting through this/fighting it/call it what you will. There are things going on on so many levels I think - trying to accept that cancer isn't something inherently evil, working on diet, trying to implement new routines into our day...there's so much to work on apart from the purely physical. I wonder what, if any,complementary therapies any of you use for yourselves or your loved ones?
It's all about treasuring each day, isn't it?
with very best wishes for a lovely weekend to all on here
Meriel x x x
As all of us that are dealing with this disease know, each day is definitely a gift! Many people have had wonderful experiences with counseling, so you may want to look into that.
This support group is the best thing that ever happened to me. As a care giver, I often feel alone and scared. I've made so many special friends here, and the support is such a blessing.
Please know that all of us on DS are here for you too! Hang in there, and do take it "one day at a time" and "Let Go And Let God"!
Love,
Ingrid
You have definately started a new journey with D and I think you will find that although it will have some challenges, it will also have lots of happiness over things that you may never have noticed before.
I've been at this for a while with my husband. Our lives are forever changed, but we've never been closer and we appreciate every thing much more fully.
I pray that the Sutent helps shrink D's cancer significantly. I also hope you can remain strong through all that lies ahead. But if you do have a bad day, let us know. I found this support group after 7 years of helping my husband on his journey. When I reached out many great people came in to my life to help.
The best to you,
LSMS
This all a very new thing for you, just don't beat yourself up for the bad days you have, it's all natual....This cancer is changing your lives all around, and you are overwhelmed, with all the things that need to be done, all of us here have been thru this many times, just take things one day at a time 1 task at a time....You may have many but trying to get them done all at once isn't the way to do it, and you also need to take care of you too....I have been a caregiver to my fiance who was d/x over a yr ago who has stage 4 mrcc in lungs and rib mets, and you sound so much like me, i felt the same way that you did and only came to a realization a few days ago.... I need to get out of the way of all the issues, and take one thing a day and work on that, and there are days i have to take off and rest myself....So we all here at D.S. are here to help and help you walk thru the hard times, you'll make friends here that are going thru exactly what you are...Care giving is a very hard job, it seems like you have to be everywhere all at once, but trying to get a scedule going might help...Please, don't do what i did, i was so confused and refused to see what i was doing wrong and we are here to help and i did this for over a yr....My problem was that i keep trying to take control of the cancer and all i did was research and it got me into a frenzy and i only fiqured out how to do this in a sane way yesterday morning, so we are all here so always write and keep me informed as how you are doing...
Becca
This support group has been a blessing for me for many reasons,
not the least of which is that it brought a focus to the fact that we are not alone in this battle. Knowing that there are so many others who share the same thoughts, concerns, fears, stress and worry is somehow comforting. Simply being able to express those feelings in a friendly, understanding forum has been so helpful to me personally and it makes me better able to handle all that surrounds us now. Add to that , the possibility that maybe, just maybe, I can be of help to someone else sometimes is a bonus.
Be positive, be strong - there is much hope and much progress in this field. Hopefully, you and D will be pleasantly surprised at how things will begin to improve for you. All good wishes to you both!
glors
It is strange how quickly cancer and the life changes that go with it become reality. Seems like the remote is stuck on fast forward. Treasuring each day is the key... treasure the moments, the smiles, the laughter. Sometimes the only way I can function is to make a SMALL list of items that I know I need to address each day, amidst the all consuming task of living with a RCC diagnosis.
Take care!
Karen