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Newly diagnosed with kidney and lung cancer. I'm 68/ female.

brooks47
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I'm truly terrified. I have had a ton of tests, scans, and 4 different doctors.  I will meet with oncologist December 24. I have had a lung biopsy, and scheduled to have a kidney biopsy on January 7th.  I think the unknown is almost as scarey as knowing what is ahead of you. I spent all of last year dealing with melanoma cancer in my arm and many surgeries.  Finally, they said I had clear margins.  I thought yeah, I hope I never have to see this hospital again.  Two months later I became sicker and sicker and so weak. Lost alot of weight and my white blood count was high and my potassium level was very low. Then they ordered a chest xray because I suddenly had a back ache and rib cage pain.  They said I had kidney cancer that had traveled to the lungs.  Then an MRI said I had lung cancer that traveled to the kidney.  I asked the urologist if that was better or worse than before.  He said "that is bad".  Then he said he didn't think they would remove the kidney after all, because why put me through all of that for no good reason.  This urologist has no bedside manner.  So he ordered a bone scan, which I had yesterday.  Scheduled kidney biopsy for Jan. 7th and set me up with oncologist for Dec. 24th.  The urologist made me feel like "You are a dead duck".  I do have my brother and my son doing everything they can to help me.  My daughter lives far away and has two children she is raising by herself and she cannot risk her job to be with me.  Nor do I want her too. I will have more information after I see oncologist and the results of recent test are known. 

I think I have accepted that I will die.  However, it is hard to get my mind off of it and concentrate on more joyous things. I have not been staged- but probably stage 4.  Am I hopeless?  Not much information for anyone to go on, but I think I would like to hear about a miracle or two.

 I do have a great sense of humor, so be blunt and make me laugh.  Glad I found this site, it is very comforting to know other people are dealing with similar problems and some of their comments have already helped me to be more hopeful and positive. 

 

 

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    I'm really sorry to hear the horrible situation you find yourself in! This waiting stage is definitely the worst time, your mind works over time & you don't really know what it is you are dealing with! I'm 41, have 2 young girls & was diagnosed a year ago with a rare kidney cancer which had spread to my lung. There's no cure, but I'm currently taking medication to stop it from spreading, the first lot worked for a year & I'm now on a second lot, waiting to see if these are doing the job. To put it bluntly the situation sucks, as does every bodies on here I would imagine, but for me it did become easier to deal with once I knew exactly what I was dealing with! I was surprised to hear you have been told conflicting information, I know they were unable to tell me which way it had travelled until they got the lung biopsy back. I really hope your oncologist has better people skills than your urologist, as if you don't feel bad enough without that! 

    I'm sorry I haven't been able to make you laugh, I wish I could bottle up some of my girls comments & laughter for you, they never fail to put a smile on my face :-)

    All the best for 24th, if you feel up to it let me know how you get on.

    Louise xx

  • Offline in reply to loop74

    Louise:  Thank you for your reply.  You said you had a rare kidney cancer they are able to treat  or at least keep it from spreading.  I'm hopeful the oncologist has more compassion or better bedside manner than the urologist, and has a ray of hope for me.  I'm usually a very positive person and always think there are better days ahead for you and for me. I hate the hopelessness I am feeling.  I also feel so bad for you being so young and having small girls yet to raise.  I will pray for you and your children to have a wonderful life ahead of you. Again, thank you so much for your thoughts.  This forum is going to be great for me.  You can only burden your family and friends with so much of this negativity and conflict.  I care about you too, so let me know how you are coming along.  Best wishes for a great Christmas and New Year filled with joy for you and your family.  Marilyn (Brooks47)

  • Offline in reply to brooks47

    Thank you Marilyn, I'll certainly keep you posted on how my treatment goes, all I can hope for is as much time as possible with my girls. I'm hoping there will be some treatment your oncologist can offer you too! We really don't know what's out there until we're put in this position.

    You're right about this forum, both giving & receiving advise & encouragement from people who know how it feels is a great help. 

    Merry Xmas to you & I really hope you manage to enjoy it after your appointment on Xmas eve. xx

     

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