Hello all.  If your looking at this like me you have either suffered cancer, waiting for a confirmation or a loved one is in the position.

5 years ago I wish I new about this forum. Talking with people who had experience of the illness would have helped so much. I was a single mum  46, with three children, two of them still at home only 15 and 13. Difficult years. I was given a blow of having kidney cancer following a scan due to other issues. I was lucky. My tumor was large, but I had not had the known warning signs. I had to loose the kidney. Waiting for the op had mixed emotions I wanted the monster out of me but scared about the op. 6 weeks after from my first appointment the kidney was removed (would have been sooner but my specialist let me go on a planned holiday with my kids). My family & friends distraught, my kids had to be taken to my sisters to be cared for who lived 60 miles away, but we all knew it was best for them I was told I couldn't look after them,  I would be too weak.  I won't lie I was ill the op was hard and I had 3 days in intensive care due to complications but 8 days later I was home and three weeks after the op the kids home as well. 8 weeks later I was back at work probably too early ! I was lucky the tumor had not broken the kidney wall and I need no further treatment. I have checkups now yearly with scans etc but they keep an eye on me. My other kidney works fine. Iv had a few scary bits along the way with worries of secondary tumors but because they know my history they investigate immediately. That's my story and if it helps anyone at all then it's worth telling xxx good luck