Just two months and three days after a major life threatening/altering surgery, I managed to go walking/running outside, all the while my nose was running down my face. I went around the block twice and there is an alley way right in the middle of it which I ran/sprinted down twice. I wasn't out there long, one because it started to rain, but also because I didn't want to overdo it my first day. Hopefully this, plus my improved diet (which I've been doing pretty well at since getting help from my nutritionist), will get me to a good weight. I talked with my nutritionist yesterday and she told me that diet plays such an important part in recurrence of Kidney Cancer, even more so than it does for Breast Cancer. One thing that I had decided during this whole process was that my diet and weight management were going to be number one because I definitely don't want ANY chance of having cancer come back or come up in other places.
In OTHER news, I met with my Oncologist, Dr. Tykodi yesterday. Tuesday I had follow-up CT Scans. So Dr. Tykodi gave me the results yesterday. It was actually sort of weird. I had to tell people that I only have one Kidney. I hadn't done that yet since the surgery, not in that way at least, so it was a little strange. I think it sort of solidified the fact that my life has changed forever. Dr. Tykodi told me that yes, I had Type 2 Pappillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, but what I didn't know before (I only suspected it was) was that it was stage 4. For those not up on their cancer lingo--that's REALLY bad. It's the last step before terminal. But, have no fear because the news Dr. Tykodi gave me was . . .
FABULOUS!!!!!
All the scans and everything show that I am doing well and that for now there is no evidence of cancer. I'm clean!! I have no further treatment plan at this time and will not have to do anything until my next scans in September. It is a very good thing. I'm quite pleased at how everything has turned out.
There was one small dent in all of this. I found out I have a 2 in. cyst on my left Ovary. Darn my left side. I have to make an appointment for about 6 weeks from now to get an ultrasound on that. Anyone have any experience with cysts? I've survived cancer, I can handle it. :)
About Me
- Mallory
- My cancer story, in 1200 characters or less: After seeing blood in my urine I was misdiagnosed with UTI's several times, receiving antibiotics to “solve the problem.” Then I had pain, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss and also fatigue. This went on for almost 2 years before I was diagnosed with Stage 4 pRCC, Kidney Cancer on 9-11-2010. I underwent 4 months of chemotherapy at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. I had intravenous doses of Avastin (Bevacizumab) and administered subcutaneously Interferon 3 times weekly. My tumor barely reacted to the treatments. On 3-2-2011 I underwent surgery. After 6 ½ hours they were able to remove Vlad (my tumor) as well as lymph nodes and a rib. I was in the hospital for 8 days and in bed basically for another month. I am now free of that cancer and living my life well. I strive every day to live my life healthily and to the fullest. I’m moving forward with the new normal that has become my life. My goals are the same: get my masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, have my own family, and praise God. But I have new goals too: share my story and bring about change and awareness. I’m Mallory. I have one kidney. I had cancer and I’m a survivor.
6 comments:
YAY!! This is big news! I am impressed that you went wogging ;) and yay for eating better, I know I need to do that too so maybe you should tell me your secrets :) And that is so scary that your cancer was at stage 4!! But that is so good to hear that you don't have any cancer, no more vlad or his offspring. As for the cyst, I know Holly had one a few years ago. You could try talking to her about it, all I know is you don't want it to burst because its apparently really painful but as you mentioned, you survived cancer, so maybe it wouldn't phase you at all. Ha, we'll see how you handle childbirth in the years to come ;)
Hurray! You are a hero of mine! Come visit Utah and we'll go walking/jogging together!
Congrats!! My sister had a cyst on an ovary and had to get it removed, it was the size of a softball! SO, she ended up only having one ovary but she had two kids! So, if you have to get the ovary removed with the cyst thats sad, but doesn't mean too much in the long run. So glad you are clean and doing so well!!
Yes Mallory, I had a 5 centimeter cyst on my ovary. That is the same size a cherry tomato...from what the doctor said. They either pop and go away or they get bigger. Once they get about 8 centimeters then they will surgically remove it. Mine popped. It was very painful. I had other problems too at the same time as the cyst that made it harder and longer for me to recover. The bigger the cyst the more painful the they are when they pop. My cousin had one that was the size of a softball. She had that removed. Keep me posted. (By the way, all girls get cysts when they are on their menstrual cycle. They usually get to be one centimeter then they pop and go away.)
Way to go, diet and exercise are so satisfying to do well!
Oh Mallory I'm SO SO SO happy that you're cancer free!!!! I'm proud of you for going through all this and still having such a strong outlook on life. You truly are inspiring.
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