Dad diagnosed with kidney cancer that has spread

Hi all!

 

I am in a fugue state right now because my dad got diagnosed with kidney cancer 2 weeks ago and within the past 2 weeks we found out it has spread to the liver, lungs and spine. He is getting radition to stabilize the spine but no treatment yet on kidney, lungs, liver or spine yet. 

 

The doctors have said they will make a decision on whether or not he is a candidate for chemotherapy after the radiation treatment. Noone has given is a prognisis or said its terminal but I cant stop crying knowing how dire it all seems. 

 

The worst thing is that dad is not grasping any of this at all. Even though he was in the same meeting as us where they talked about the spread he thinks he will be out in a few weeks and back to work. 

 

Anyway, its all so heartbreaking and I just wish we understood the prognosis and that this could be communicated to dad so we could plan what may lie ahead. Hope you are all well and very nice to be a part of this community. 

 

-Paul

  • Hello Paul and welcome to Cancer Chat, it's great to have you on board!

    I am very sorry to hear about your dad's kidney cancer diagnosis. There is information on this page on advanced kidney cancer which I hope will be helpful to you. I completely understand your frustration with not being given a prognosis, but unfortunately it can be very difficult even more specialists to give you this information as it may not be easy to tell for example in advance how he will respond to treatment. I hope that the radiation treatment is a success. 

    I can imagine this is a really difficult time for you and your family and that there is a lot to take in. Perhaps it would do you some good to have a chat with one of our cancer nurses. You can give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope you won't mind but I have slightly changed your title to include more specific details about your dad's cancer - this will help other members who may have been in a similar situation to spot your thread. 

    Best wishes to you and your dad, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator