Kidney cancer at 34?

Hi all

It all started three weeks ago when I started getting nausea and vomiting, I had a telephone appointment after a couple of days where I was prescribed anti sickness meds and omeprazole as they thought I had GERD. The vomited stopped after a few days but I still didn't feel right and the horrible nausea continued along with not being able to sleep properly and awful night sweats so this time I went and was seen by my GP, at this point I had a blood test that came back normal and a urine test that showed I had a small amount of blood in my urine so my gp sent me for an urgent ultrasound, I saw the doctor on Thursday had the ultrasound on the Saturday, after the ultrasound I asked if the results were normal and he said that my right kidney had shrunk and that a report would be sent to my gp by the following Friday. Monday afternoon my gp rang to say they'd already had the results and I was being given an urgent 2 week referral to the urology department, but she said that it was either a blood clot or something wrong with the urethra. Yesterday I had a phone call from a nurse from the urology department and I just said to him I don't understand what the urgency was, my blood was normal, my urine test was normal and he said that they think it could be cancer. That was the moment my world came crashing down, I'm 34 with 3 small children and no had mentioned anything about cancer. My mum died at 49 from cancer not kidney cancer but still. Anyway he rang me back yesterday afternoon to say that the consultant had looked at my scan and they weren't overly worried but wouldn't know for sure until I'd had a CT scan with contrast and that, that would happen fairly quickly, if I haven't heard from them by the middle of next week to call him back. I've not heard anything today so I'm guessing I won't now till after the weekend. How am I meant to cope with this? I can't sleep and when I do I dream about the hospital, my nausea has come back with a vengeance and I randomly burst into tears. How did everyone cope with the waiting? I feel like I'm slowly falling apart. Any advice for the wait would be fantastic. Has anyone under 40 been diagnosed? What was it like? Sorry for rambling.

  • Hi 

    Sorry to read what is happening to you I am just waiting to go to my referral to breast clinic which is 14th  July I am so anxious can't eat constantly thinking the worse checking by breast see if it has changed it is the worst feeling ever just hoping that it comes to nothing when I get to my appointment x I hope you get sorted soon  as I know how bad you must be feeling right now xx

  • Hi there.  I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in my late 30s. I was also a mum with a primary school aged child. I just could not believe that I was really that sick! The thing with any cancer diagnosis and treatment is it involves lots and lots of waiting. And waiting really is the pits. 

     

    If it helps, I am almost 10 years post diagnosis and surgery, and have lived to see my (then) little girl has just finished her A level year. 

     

    When I was in your situation, a lovely fellow patient found me in the wilds of the internet looking for information. She told me about a Facebook group called Kidney Cancer Support Network - if you can, I would highly recommend you sign up. There is real expertise in that group and so many people who have gone before and can help. And quite a few long-timers like me, who are living normal lives. I do hope this helps things feel less scary.

  • Apologies for the late reply, I really hope your appointment went well and you're getting some answer now. I had my scan last week so now back to the waiting again, hopefully it won't be too long. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

  • Thank you so much for replying. It's very reassuring to hear that you won your battle. I've now had my ct scan so am a waiting the results of that, I have looked up the Facebook group but held off from joining until I know for sure but thank you for the recommendation.