My journey with kidney cancer began last year, with persistent back pain and the need for constant painkillers. At first, I thought it was just due to the polycystic ovaries and fibroids I had already been diagnosed with. I just got on with it, taking painkillers whenever the pain became unbearable. It wasn’t until my first holiday abroad with my son in July that I realised this wasn’t normal.
When I returned from the holiday, the pain had only worsened. I knew I needed to get it checked out. My GP was great and sent me for an X-ray, which didn’t show anything related to my kidneys. They then sent me for a different X-ray to check my kidneys, and that’s when they found a shadow on one of the scans.
The process from there moved quickly. I saw a consultant at the hospital, who ordered an ultrasound. By the following Monday, the consultant had called me to say there was a shadow and they wanted me to come in for an appointment. That’s when I found out it was kidney cancer.
The news was devastating, but I was grateful that I had already been told by one of the doctors I work with, as it had prepared me for the appointment. The consultant explained that there were three tumours in my right kidney and that a full removal would be necessary. They booked my surgery for June, but just a week before the operation, they postponed it, saying I was a high-risk patient for the anaesthesia.
The next few months were incredibly stressful, as I waited for a new surgery date. I raised a complaint with PALS, as I was unhappy with the delay. Eventually, in August 2025, the consultant told me that the cancer had also spread to my left kidney. This was a huge blow, as I had hoped the initial surgery would resolve the issue
After discussing options with the consultant and getting a second opinion, the decision was made to proceed with the full removal of my right kidney. The surgery took place in October 2025, and to my surprise, the recovery went much better than expected. I was up and walking around within a couple of days and was discharged from the hospital after just three days.
While the journey has had its ups and downs, I’m grateful that the cancer appears to be a lower-grade type, which means it’s not as aggressive. I still have the tumours in my left kidney, which will require ongoing monitoring, but I’m hopeful that the outcome will be positive.
One of the things that has been most important to me throughout this experience is raising awareness about kidney cancer. It’s a disease that often goes unnoticed, and I want to do what I can to change that. That’s why I’ve decided to use my birthday this year to raise funds for kidney cancer research and education. I’m also excited to be involved in Kidney Cancer Awareness Week, as I believe it’s crucial to shine a light on this often-overlooked form of cancer.
My journey has been a rollercoaster, but it has also taught me the importance of perseverance, a positive mindset, and the value of a strong support network. I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others who may be facing similar challenges and help to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and ongoing support for those affected by kidney cancer.
