On August 16, 2023 I awoke early in the morning with terrible pain on my left side. I waited it out for two hours thinking it was just gas pain (ate calico beans the day before). By 8:30am I drove myself to the ER at the Osceola Medical Center dry heaving and crying in pain. Three hours later, a CT scan and ultrasound showed a large mass measuring 12cm inside my left kidney. I left that day with a diagnosis suspicious for Renal Cell Carcinoma. Kidney Cancer. The ER doctor mentioned that it was a miracle that I was there because there are no symptom’s for kidney cancer. Usually a patient finds out after it has metastasized in other parts of the body. She couldn’t explain why I felt so much pain, but said, “Only God could have brought you here so it could get caught early.” I left that day without emotion. Almost expecting it because of the extreme trauma and stress I went through last year losing my husband to cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). I had lost nearly 50 lbs. during that trial and hadn’t gained anything back. I was in and out of the emergency room with horrendous pain and low grade fever 5 times in a 6 day period and finally admitted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire August 22nd for 3 days where they confirmed the diagnosis of Kidney Cancer, and also found that I had contracted Pyelonephritis. An infection in the kidney and renal pelvis. Although the infection hurt almost as bad as having a baby, the huge blessing is, it detected the cancer. They also conducted a full chest and pelvis scan to see if the cancer had metastasized anywhere else and found none. The cancer is contained inside the kidney.
On August 24th, I hired a new urologist, Dr. Subodh Regmi, MD from MHealth Fairview Cancer Center in Woodbury. An incredibly smart and kind Urologic Oncology Surgeon that answered all of our questions (Mom, Deb and I) and never so much as made me feel like I was taking up too much of his time. He is the opposite extreme of the first urologist that showed no concern. After 3 more CT scans (long story), the malignant tumor was remeasured at 8 x 9.7 x 10.7cm. My left kidney is 4 times it’s size. They also found a lobulated cyst (perinephric nodule right) near the falciform ligament measuring 17 x 26mm near the liver (google it).
Surgery to remove my left kidney, (as well as the cyst) will be September 26th at the U of M East Bank in Minneapolis. I’ll be there 3 days. (Update: 9 days)
Note: Chemotherapy is not a standard treatment for Kidney Cancer. They will decide next steps once the large mass and the cyst are biopsied.
Thank you across the globe for your prayers! They have been highly effective. By the grace of God, I am in perfect peace and now that the infection is gone, I haven’t been in any pain.
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Lisa Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Lisa's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
