JR is a stage 4 kidney cancer patient. He shares the story of his diagnosis and how a positive attitude and faith has helped him stay hopeful for the future.
Stay positive and trust in god, it will help more than you can imagine.
November 2017 is the start of my story. Treated for bronchitis and checked for the flu. Still just didn’t feel right.
JR
Steroids would help for a few days then right back to cough, low grade fever, shortness of breath and poor appetite. December was much the same but getting worse. Feeling weaker, I again went to my family doctor. Still no good answers. Finally January 2018 I convinced my doctor that she had to do something. By this time I had lost over 10 lbs and was really feeling crummy.
I finally saw a specialist in infectious disease. On January 10th he ordered a cat-scan and another round of lab work. On January 12th, 2018 I received the call that no one wants to get. He saw a large mass on my right kidney and had me scheduled to see a surgeon the following Monday.
The surgeon confirmed that the mass was most likely malignant and would have to come out. Ten days later I was in the operating room for a total right kidney nephrectomy. The surgery was 5-6 hrs and recovery was tough. It should be noted that prior to my doctor visit in November I had no symptoms that pointed to any cancer. Always had yearly visits and lead a healthy life style. Never smoked and exercised daily. My surgeon informed me that kidney cancer is almost always detected by accident. Usually in later stages when found. I was at stage 4.
Post surgery recovery was long but after 6 weeks I was given my first treatment and that landed me back in the hospital due to a severe reaction to the combo of Opdivo and Yervoy. After heavy doses of steroids my body started to respond and I got stronger.
I am currently on monthly dose (480) of Opdivo and doing good. I have had 3 follow up scans with no new tumors being detected. I feel very good most days and the monthly treatments are no big deal. My oncologist is positive and that’s how I look at every day.
Now that 2018 is behind me, the wife and I plan to enjoy everyday of our retirement together. I was 10 days past my 65th Birthday when this all started. This picture is 6 months after my surgery. All in all I lost nearly 45 lbs but I am now back to normal weight of 185. Feeling good and living life to the fullest.
Stay positive and trust in god – it will help more than you can imagine.
