Kidney Cancer

[livingwith]

In 2000 i was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma; I was 35 years old at the time, married with 3 girls and a full-time in-home childcare provider. We had no previous family history of it nor did I smoke or ever smoke. It was a shook but it was found. A few months after my nephrectomy I had to have a hysterectomy 5 months after that I had to have my colon removed and finally 7 months after that I developed an obstruction so the doctor had to open me up again. Today, 8 years later I’ve bee...Read the full article

[scout5]

I understand completely that people with kidney disease/cancer "don't look sick". Even my doctors can't believe my problems when they look at me on the outside as opposed to what's in their charts.
I presently need a double nephrectomy due to tumors in both and have been losing kidney function for 6 years. I'll be getting a PD catheter placed next month then in a month or so, I'll have both kidneys removed. They can't tell if the tumors are benign or malignant at this point. Any contrast dye used would cause me to need dialysis immediately. The surgeon will use half dye on a CT just before the surgery to remove the kidneys as I will already be on dialysis then.
I just learned about the tumors 2 months ago and realize you have to take a gulp and move forward...a leap of faith but with much research on the web behind me as well.
If I'm lucky, the tumors will be benign and I can get a transplant in as soon as 2 months provided my husband is a match( going through the medical testing now). If not, I'll have to wait 2 years and be tumor free before I can get the transplant. The wait for a transplant can be as long as 5 years in the area I'm from due to the scarcity of cadaver kidneys or live donors. It takes a very special person to give up a kidney to another.
I've raised two sons and have always been quite healthy, non smoker. You're right...stuff happens in life for no reason but you can't put up your hand and say "stop" or cover your ears. You have to advocate for yourself and listen to your own voice/intuition as to what steps to take next.