The story of my Kidney Cancer

 The story of my own Kidney Cancer

Im not a great writer by any means so bare with me.

Firstly just a little about my previous medical history

In September 2015 I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

http://iansprostate.blogspot.com

My blog will tell you a little more about that. I was treated by Brachytherapy and after 9 years my PSA is staying very low at 0.02.

Now to my Kidney !

On the 30th July 2024 I visited the New Forest Show in Hampshire

  https://www.newforestshow.co.uk  

for the very first time. I'd never visited before and had a good day out. The weather was very warm and I was a little dehydrated. During the afternoon I needed the toilet and it was at this visit that I noticed my pee was a strange colour. (Hematuria).

Obviously it is scary seeing blood in your urine but its not always serious however it is wise to have it checked by your GP. On Thursday 1st August I took a urine sample with me to my GP and he confirmed that there was indeed blood present. He also confirmed that there was not sign of infection.

The following Saturday my Doctor phoned saying he had referred me to the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre (RSCC) in Guildford (a little worrying at the time) for an urgent CT Scan on then 9th August.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/tests-and-scans/ct-urogram

followed by a Flexible Cystoscopy 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystoscopy/how-its-done/

at the Stokes Urology Centre, part of the same hospital.

Mr Sood, Consultant checked my bladder which was clear. He went on to say that the CT scan had shown an anomaly but was unable to confirm the diagnosis until Radiology had checked the scan. This was a little worrying.

I was then asked to have a further scan a few days later to check my chest. On the 16th August I received a letter from Mr Sood stating that there is a suspicion of a Lower Left Pole Kidney Lesion in my left Kidney. Dr Russell (Radiology) confirmed that it was a tumour.

My case was referred to an MDT meeting (A multi-disciplinary team) at the Renal Centre at Frimley Park Hospital (FPH) in Surrey the following Friday. However there wasn't a Radiology Doctor available so the meeting was held on the following Monday.

The day after the MDT I received a phone call from Mr Constantios Adamou, Urology Consultant, confirming the diagnosis is Cancerous Tumour. I was referred to Mr Neil barber, Consultant Urology Surgeon at Frimley Park.

https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/services/renal-cancer-centre/

There was mix up with a false message from my GP incorrectly saying that I had a previous TIA and an Aortic Aneurysm, the mistake was rectified but this did add a few days delay.

I attended a Urology consultation with Mr Manar Malki at Frimley Park on the 16th September and he confirmed the tumour was malignant and its size (95mm) classed as T3a No MO and that the Kidney should be removed and an operation will be planned in 3 weeks time. Sister Jo Oakley arranged the Pre Op assessment later that day. 

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/kidney-cancer/stages-types-grades/tnm

We decided to take a short holiday and flew to Egypt 2 days later. On our return I received a message asking me to phone the hospital, an operation was planned for the 4th October. The consensus from the MDT was to preceded with a Laparoscopic / Robotic assisted Radical Nephrectomy. I arrived at the hospital at 07.30 and went for surgery at 09.30.. Mr Amr Emara was the surgeon assisted by Sarika Nalagatla. I was back on the ward by 13.30.

The Kidney was removed via a 10cm incision on my lower back. initially it was very sore and I felt very bloated. I was prescribed Tramadol. I had a fairly uncomfortable night but began to feel much better throughout the morning. Once my urine output was checked on three occasions I was able to leave the hospital later that day.

I was prescribed several types of Laxatives and Tramadol and Paracetamol which I did need over the first week. I had a couple of problems, the laxatives didn't work too well so had a trip to my GP to check - told to be patient - eventually OK. Second problem was a strange one! I was having a pee and bubbles were coming out, a really weird feeling, it happened several times.

A trip to my GP resulted in another journey to Frimley Park surgical assessment unit where I had an ultrasound of my bladder and other checks, one of the surgical team confirmed that there was some air left in my bladder from the catheter which I had following the kidney removal. Im glad to say the bubbles dispersed quickly.

Following day, joy of joys I managed a poo!

Once a kidney is removed it is sent to a lab for a Histology report, Histopathologists provide a diagnostic service for cancer; they handle the cells and tissues removed from suspicious ‘lumps and bumps’, identify the nature of the abnormality and, if malignant, provide information to the clinician about the type of cancer, its grade and, for some cancers, its responsiveness to certain treatments. Unfortunately this takes time.

My kidney was sent to a lab at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford, unfortunately the results here were inconclusive so it was then sent to Guys Hospital in London. After several week I received a phone call from my kidney cancer nurse at FPH confirming that the tumour was 75mm and classed as a Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma T3a. As is normal in such cases I would be offered a therapy to help my immune system attack any remaining cancer cells.

I had a blood test at the RSCC followed the day after by a CT scan of my Pelvis, Abdomen and Chest (to check for signs of cancer) and two days later met the specialist Oncologist Mr A Al-Abdullah. First I saw Mr Abdullah's Registrar who did a full medical background check, met my therapy Nurse Lucie Broom, Lead Renal Cancer CNS, who explained the mechanics of the therapy and then met Me Abdullah who confirmed that I was being offered a course of Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/pembrolizumab

It's worth reading about this drug on the above link, it also lists some possible side effects.

My therapy begins on Monday 16th at the RSCC in Chilworth Ward, the drug is given as an infusion which takes roughly 30 minutes. The therapy will be given every six weeks for one year, a total of 9 infusions. Blood tests are taken regularly to ensure the side effects are minimal. CT scans will be done every six months.

So really that is my story so far.

I will update this blog with any news.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment.

Ian