My name is Bill Hamilton and I have Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. Below is my story.
I was originally diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in February 2015 at the age of 49. I had my prostate removed in March 2016. In April 2017 had my entire right kidney removed and was diagnosed with Stage 2 Renal Cell Carcinoma. In January 2018 during a scan, the lung nodules they been monitoring turned into large tumors in my lungs. I was told the Renal Cell Carcinoma metastasized to my lungs after a lung biopsy in January 2018.
This is when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma. This was very scary and I was so angry and sad at the same time.
Since I had a history of Prostate Cancer, I was denied any clinical trials. In February 2018, started Cabometyx (Targeted Therapy with pills) and took it for 19 weeks, but the tumors continued to increase in size. Then in July 2018 I started the Opdivo/Yervoy combo (Immunotherapy Infusions) and completed 4 cycles. After the 2nd cycle, I had shortness of breath and developed Pleural Effusion and had a Pleurodesis. Then I had 4 cycles of Opdivo 480 only and will continue this the rest of my life depending how my body deals with the side effects and the outcomes.
Had a scan in October 2018 and the tumors in the lungs have decreased by 70% on average. The Immunotherapy is working. Side effects can be wicked at times, but bearable since the cancer is decreasing. I started a blog on Facebook called Hambo’s Stage 4 Kidney Cancer Journey. The blog has helped me deal with this terrible disease, through detailing all my treatments, side effects and outcomes, hoping that it can help people understand this disease.
I know 2019 is going to be a great year, compared to the past few years.
KCCure thanks Bill for sharing his kidney cancer story.
