Experiences with kidney cancer and ovarian cancer

[Unex]

Anyone got experience with this at all?
Totally out of the blue diagnosis
Symptoms started last Friday
More tests next week

I’ve had ovarian cancer, over ten years ago now.

@Robotalkingrubbish
Thanks for replying
I'm overwhelmed ATM
As I understand it, the kidney is the primary and ovarian secondary (but unlikely to be only one secondary)
How long did the treatments take please?
How old were you

Hi @Unex
So very sorry
I had breast cancer and now lung, so no experience of your type
But I do know the medical staff move quickly and provide you with lots of information

Get a notebook and take it to all your appts

Thanks both
I think i started this thread hoping someone could give more information
But of course until I've got another appointment to ask these questions no one really knows
I'm just struggling to make sense of it all tbh
Thanks again

Sorry to hear this. What were your symptoms?

My mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 4 in 2015. She had chemo, hysterectomy and debulking (trying to get the cancer cells) then more chemo first treatment as first line. Obviously you may have different treatments if your primary is kidney.

I found the mcmillan forums helpful

@Adviceplease2314
No symptoms until last Friday, starting with abdo pain and vomiting
I shit you not

@mrsed1987
How's your mum now?

Unfortunately my mum passed away a year ago next week, but she did amazingly well having all those years after being diagnosed, as it was not looking good at diagnosis.

Try not to read in to the statistics too much either

I'm driving myself mad trying to make sense of it all
The stats aren't great, using the few facts that I know
I'm a single mum with teens, already struggling financially

So sorry to hear about your mum
Do you mind me asking how long from diagnosis was she still able to work?

OP, what tests have you had so far to reach this diagnosis and what is next?

I have a friend who had kidney cancer 13 years ago. They removed a kidney and she had chemo.

I don't think it had spread though (I only met her 10 years ago).

@TwigTheWonderKid
Blood tests showing ovarian cancer
Ultrasound showing kidney cancer (which they think is primary)
CT scan appointment on its way
Appointment with kidney specialist on its way
Appointment with gynaecologist on its way
All appointments on the 2 week wait
Thanks for everyone's reply

I've got to say I'm fucking terrified

@unex I can totally understand how scared you are. This is definitely the worst part of the cancer journey but once you have all the facts it does get a bit easier.

Do you have someone to go with you to your follow up appointments?

Very similar situation with my Mum, diagnosed just before the pandemic and has had chemo and a full hysterectomy. Best of luck OP xxx

Hi op, sending hugs. My mum had ovarian cancer & survived for 25yrs before passing of something unrelated.

Who do you have (adult) to support you, OP?
Are your teens old enough to keep them informed or are you being economical with the truth around them?

One day at a time.
I hope you find energy to update us.

Have you got a specialist nurse contact number? Please use them. It's their job to support patients and answer and questions.

Telling teen's tomorrow
It's gonna be like launching a hand grenade into their lives
Tried to have one last day of normal with them
Fuck knows what I'm going to tell um
I'm 50 FFS, 0 risk factors apart from slight hypertension
No specialist nurse yet, just waiting for appointments

All information seems to be EITHER kidney cancer or ovarian the double whammy
Survival stats difficult to get a handle on
I'm still paying mortgage FFS

Do you have any critical illness cover?

No, like an absolute fool I didn't "get round" to sorting life insurance
Was one of the things to do once I'd got sorted financially
Currently paying all bills on one PT wage (living pay day to pay day)
I'm supposed to be starting FT job (with promotion ) in next few months.
At that time was going start new insurance as well as re-starting pension
Luckily not yet handed in notice at current job, was waiting for start date.

I would imagine insurance wouldn't cover cancer anyway

You may have critical illness cover at work- my DH did when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer 4 years ago. His was caught early and he had a partial nephrectomy via robot assisted keyhole surgery( leading surgeon for this is at Guys in London)

Do you know the size of the kidney tumour?

Oooh operation by a robot, that sounds high tech!
Don't know size yet
Lots of unknowns tbh
Just reeling from the news and I just don't know what to do
Thank fuck for MN