Thank you
for visiting my Giving Page to support Kidney cancer research and care at
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.
"You never realize how strong you are until being strong is the only
choice you have."
Author Unknown
My life was normal. Family, carpools, minor aches and pains, normal everyday
problems, but basically just normal. In August 2013 I started having severe
lower abdominal pains. Since my appendix had been removed four years earlier, I
suspected this may be a kidney stone. When the ER doctor confirmed it, I was
not at all surprised. What I never anticipated was that they would also find a
large mass in the space behind my kidney. I wasn't initially panicked. I was
forty-nine, took good care of myself, got regular check-ups, ate well,
exercised (most of the time), I even drank green drinks and ate "super
foods. When the urologist came in to surgically remove my 8mm kidney stone and
he arranged for a biopsy of the mass, I remember asking him what the chances
were that the mass was cancer, he said, "Very high." Now, I was
starting to get pretty scared. The core needle biopsy happened in a blur. The
doctors and nurses were all very kind, but I knew from the overly sympathetic
way they treated me that the situation was not good. Biopsy results came back
positive for cancer. Next step was to determine where the primary tumor was. While
the pathology went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, I went through scans
and ultrasounds to try and determine what type of cancer I had. I felt like I
was in a fight, but I didn't yet know who my opponent was. Finally I got my
diagnosis; Stage Four Renal Cell Carcinoma. (Kidney Cancer) I felt mostly numb,
but survival instinct began to kick in.
I tried to stay off the internet. Anyone who has ever Googled a hang-nail, only
to end up thinking they are dying of a mysterious African flesh eating disease
understands this. We searched for the most highly regarded specialists in the
field of Kidney Cancer. We did little else. My first consultation could not
come soon enough, I felt like I had a ticking time bomb inside of me. The news
he gave us was shattering. He said my cancer was inoperable, and my treatment
options were limited. I left that appointment thinking for the first time that
I was 49 and dying.
Not giving up, we went to Boston to see Dr. Toni Choueiri at Dana Farber Cancer
Institute. He took one look at me, said, "You're 49, you look 35 and
you're otherwise healthy. Surgery is your best hope, we need to find a way,
lets get an MRI right NOW." In the morning, with MRI results in hand, I
went to see the surgeon he sent me to. The next four words that came out of the
doctor's mouth changed the course of my life and would ultimately give me a
second chance. "I Can Do This... It won't be easy, but I can resect
this."
I never second-guessed my decision to actually have the surgery. It was really
my best chance, though I was terrified nonetheless. The mass was lying on the
inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the lower half of
the body to the heart. A vascular surgeon would assist.
One month after my diagnosis, I flew back to Boston where I underwent a
Nephrectomy, removal of my right kidney (the one with the tumor) along with the
mass of lymph nodes where the cancer had spread. My first thoughts and words
after anesthesia wore off were, "I MADE IT!" I have a twelve inch
battle scar to remind me how fortunate I am to have found my doctors.
After what was deemed a successful surgery, I was placed on a clinical drug
trial, in the hope that the drug will kill any errant cancer cells that may be
left in my body. I travel to Boston every six weeks to meet with my doctors and
the clinical trial team. These people are passionate and dedicated to curing
this disease.
I am one who believes that everything happens for a reason, so I am doing my
best to find the many positives in this journey and embrace them. My family and
friends have shown me love and support I never could have imagined. These
trying times have truly shown me what is important and brought to light the
meaning of friendship. New friends have appeared like angels to lift me up. Old
friends have found their way back into my life to offer love and support. I am
so blessed and grateful every day.
Mandy
