The story below was written by a kidney cancer patient who asked to remain anonymous. Many patients struggle daily with the issue of when it’s safe to reveal their diagnosis. They have valid concerns about how cancer will impact their relationships, their employment status, their financial security. Not being able to share their story with others makes the journey even harder. It’s one of the reasons that we encourage all patients to find a patient community to be a part of. You are not alone. This is the voice of kidney cancer survivorship.
I’m the guy who lives next door, I’m your CPA or your attorney, I’m your old boyfriend, I’m the guy you chat with on the commute to work, I’m the guy on your tennis team, I’m the guy who works out with you at the gym, I’m the guy you pray next to at the house of worship, I’m the guy enjoying holding my wife’s hand wondering how long will this partnership last, wondering if she’ll be okay without me, enjoying our moments together, wondering if I bought enough life insurance, I’m the guy who attends every one of my kids events with a tear of happiness in my eye wondering how much of their lives I’m going to miss while savoring every second of their lives.
When you see me and you ask “how ya doing? I always answer “everything is great! how are you?” but my mind is saying, ”I have stage 4 cancer, I’m sort of fucked, but I haven’t told anyone yet because I don’t want our friendship to change”.
Whether I was diagnosed by accident, or whether I was diagnosed because I had a symptom is irrelevant. Whether it’s in my brain or my lungs or my bones isn’t the point. If I take chemo or radiation or immunotherapy isn’t the story. I never even thought about getting cancer until I was diagnosed. I had no reason to. Unfortunately I now know how naive I was.
The sad truth of the matter is that having cancer is life altering; life altering for 53.5% of Americans who will experience cancer in their lifetime. The horrible truth of the matter is that its life ending for many. The only thing I’m thankful for is that I have it and my wife and kids don’t.
I’m the guy who easily could have been you. Please give generously until there is a cure for kidney cancer.
Written by Anonymous
