CANCER IN A KIDNEY
Nowadays the word "cancer" is spoken openly, years ago it was "hush hush".
Often the patient was not told what their illness was, and the nearest and dearest,
who were let into the secret had to refrain from any mention of the subject to the patient.
Whilst there must still sometimes be similar advice at the discretion of the doctor,
normally we are told the diagnosis, and while, of course, it is always a shock to hear this,
sometimes it is a relief to stop wondering "Is it?" or "Isn't it?" and to
face what lies ahead.
I lost weight over about 21/2 years and tests on stomach and bowel revealed nothing until
further symptoms made it possible for cancer in my right kidney to be diagnosed.
I would have liked my GP to have referred me to hospital earlier but having been diagnosed
I waited four weeks for my operation (as promised) and have no complaints about
my treatment in Barnet General Hospital.
My questions were answered and although an old lady I was treated with respect.
I am one of the fortunate ones, sometimes cancer can be cured.
Mine was contained completely within the kidney, and on leaving hospital I was told that
I was cured but would need a flexible cystoscopy every six months for "a few years".
This rather amused me as at 79 I wondered how many years were left for me anyway.
This check up, whilst being undignified (but then who cares after having had three babies,
long ago) is not too bad. I had no unpleasant therapy, just a few visits to the
clinic because I had, and indeed still have, some discomfort in the region of my operation.
My remaining kidney is serving me well and while I remain realistic in
knowing that the big "C" could invade my life again I do not worry about it.
I think that it is good to find out as much as possible about any illness as Meg has done,
and ask one's doctor about any queries. And being on the Internet makes looking for
such knowledge so easy, What a wonderful age we live in.
I hope that there will be people who read this, who are given the same reassurance
on leaving hospital that I was given, and I would like to put on record my
gratitude to my family for their help and support, and to my friends for their prayers
for me.
Marguerite Connell
3rd November 2001
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