Sutent And Me

I was dianosed with kidney cancer in 2004. Two weeks after I had a right nephrectomy. I had a 9cm grade 3 tumour. I was told the op was "curative" I thought that meant I was cured - WRONG - it meant the tumour all came out. Later when I saw the original xrays of my kidney before the op they showed that the tumour had a small "bubble" before removal, I assume that meant it had broken its integrity and was in my system.  Anyway my Surgeon was so sure I would be okay after surgery that he put me on 12 month xrays. The first were all clear, the second taken in November 2006 showed "a mark" I was told. That xray was not read until February 2007. I then insisted on CT scan that showed two tumours not one. One 4.3 cm the other 2.5 located behind my bronchial tubes one on top of a lymph node. For a variety of reasons I lost faith in the local hospital. I could buy sutent which was considered my best option. I have BUPA (and am I grateful for that) BUPA have been wonderful, I was referred by my GP to the Royal Marsden in London and BUPA are currently paying for all the treatment excet for my flights from Aberdeen where I live, to London.  

I am now on my fourth cycle and due a CT scan this week. The last CT scan showed a 20% reduction in both tumours and a slight loss of density in one, the largest.  

The Marsden believe in good diet and exercise as they say that the stronger you are the betetr you will withstand the effects of the drug. I had previously had no interest in fitness training but I now go to a gym about three times a week, I do work on the cross trainer and also push heavy weights. I eat lots of red fruits and vegetables which are supposed to be high in anti oxidants which are anti carcinogenic. My weight remains stable.

I am under no illusions about my condition but I am going to give it a hell of a fight. I truly believe there is a cure around the corner and I want  sutent to keep me alive to get it! Lets all try to keep positive, its diffiuclt but we have to. Keep an eye out for the trovax/sutent trials at Christies Manchester and the interluken/interferon trials in USA. There seems to be a move towards "doubling up drugs" for a better effect.

 Side Effects? Well I have sore hands and feet (E 45 is great), stomatis (wash mouth with soluble aspirin 4 times a day but dont swallow it), bleeding gums(mouth wash), sore teeth (good mouth hygiene), mouth ulcers (very mild bonjela) , indigestion (I now take losec (omeprazole)which is great), high BP so I am on drugs for that (atenolol) and, sadly, piles due to gastric issues!!!

 My wife says I look like a different bloke - I am 56, had dark brown hair going a bit grey (I am now snow white) I have a yellow complexion a lot of the time ranging to purple  - its like being menopausal (sorry ladies) - my teeth look yellow, my eyes look tired and I reckon I present as being about ten years older than I am. But what the heck I am alive and I thank god - if there is one - for this drug. 

 "RailwayMan"

My story is long. In Oct. 2001 I went deer hunting with a friend. While climbing up the tree I feel out backwards from 15 ft. up. I was over 100 miles from home but i managed to drive myself back. The doctor's all said I should have been either paralized or dead from the fall. In may of 2002 I was scheduled for a double hernia operation when the surgeon saw something he didn't like. After a ct-scan they found a tumor the size of a baseball on my left kidney which they removed. 5 weeks later I had the hernia operation. 5 weeks after that I was riding my bicycle for exercise when I was struck by a hit and run driver. I was flown to a shock-trauma hospital suffering from a terrible concussion and broken bones around my left eye.

Oct. 2003 spots started showing up on my lungs. After a biopsy showed I had renal cell in both lungs. I spent june, july and august of 2004 in the hospital getting interleukin treatments. It slowed the cancer but didn't stop it.

In May 2005 i atarted getting dizzy and went to the hospital. Actually I almost pasted  out in church and was rushed to the ER. A ct-scan showed I had a brain tumor. It was removed a week later. I was out of the hospital in two days.

My lungs started to get worse and I have been taking Sutent for a year and a half. My lungs have shown much improvement since then. My dosage was 50 mg. in the beginning but the side effects were to strong so my Oncologist reduced it to 37.5 ms. The only real propblem I have now is fatugue and really sore feet. The ends of my fingers become dry and peel and I have ocassional gum bleeding. But I praise the LORD I am alive.

My friend GOD is real. I didn't understand why I had cancer at first. And I was a little bitter. But I believe I am going thru this to share with others that you can have cancer and still enjoy a good life.My doctor's are amazed at how well I am doing.But without my Faith in JESUS CHRIST I would probably have given up long ago. I still do a lot of work around the house. I have been on Mission Trips with my Church I still go out into the woods and fields to go hunting. Sure I can't move as fast as I used to . But I take the time now to really appreciate all the beautiful things GOD has given me, I have friends in CHRIST that go out of their way to help me when needed. JESUS says HE will never give us more than we can bare.I have witnessed and been a witness to the miracles of GODS grace.I look forward to the day when I will be with HIM in Heaven. But until then I will take HIS word out into the world and tell people how the love of JESUS has not only changed my life. But how JESUS has continued to heal me. I know I will be cancer free someday. And I thank GOD.