I Want To Bring Awareness To Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer)

My name is Vinnie B. and my father is suffering from metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. I decided that there is only one way to make sure that more people don't have to go through what my father is going through and that is knowledge. Knowledge is power. I am interested in bringing attention to the fact that it is 100% curable if it is caught before it spreads. My father had the same symptoms for 5 years and it was diagnosed as something else. Unfortunately, it wasn't until he was literally completely unable to move that we insisted that the 3rd ER visit become a hospital admission. The next day they found the tumor in his spine that had crushed his vertebrae and the huge tumor in his kidney.

So, I have sent letters to TV stations in my locale. I have sent letters to all the talk shows (Oprah, Montel, Today Show, Good Morning America, etc.) I just want somebody to talk about this disease. The world needs to be informed as to the fact that there are other dangerous cancers out there besides breast cancer and lung cancer.

Is anybody able to join me to do the same where you live. If enough of us keep talking loud, somebody will listen.

Thanks for your time.

Vinnie,
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. Something similar happened to me, except mine is the rarest cancer yet: Adrenal Cancer. Yes, I agree with you, knowledge is power and more people need to be aware of Cushing's Syndrome and Adrenal Carcinoma. The way my tumor (size of a fist - 13 cm) was discovered after numerous complaints was when I developed Cushing's Syndrome. Not a known disease either. To make a long story short - I'm now battling cancer (stage 4), but doing better than ever, thanks to my Lord, nutrition, and herbs. I would like to participate, but don't know how, since I'm currently on chemo, which has me a little on a tired stage. Let me know what needs to be done....and if I can, with the Lord's help, I will.

God bless,

Aura

Aura, bless your heart. First, I want you to know that I will give your name to my father, Pastor H. Buxton. Prayer changes things.

I am sorry to hear about you, too. I will be doing some research to learn more about Adrenal Carcinoma. Well, the first thing that you can do is know that you are a voice to be heard. You can do a lot from your computer. Go to the websites of the local television stations and email them, as well as the talk shows that I previously mentioned. What I'm thinking is that if they begin to get enough correspondences about this, they'll know that we are determined to help save the lives of others.

I get so sad sometimes because I feel that this cancer is bigger than me. I feel so defeated sometimes, but I refuse to give way to that. I am determined to fight this along with my father and bring it out of the dark so that one day people are talking about it like they talk about breast cancer and lung cancer, etc.

When you email those that I mentioned, you want to tell them that you are interested in bringing awareness to kidney cancer. In every letter, I have mentioned that it (Renal Cell Carcinoma) is 100% curable if it is caught before it metastasizes or spreads. I also mention that each year 28,000 people are diagnosed with it. I tell them that there are other dangerous cancers out there and that they, too, need to be recognized by people in the hopes of being detected early enough to survive it in the end. Trust me, if you are passionate about it, your fingers will do the talking, so to speak. If you prefer, you can give me the names of the TV stations via email and I will email them. It’s up to you. Let's work together to put a stop to this.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Aura,
I have not heard from you. I hope that all is well. You are in my prayers. Are you still interested in working with me from your computer to bring awareness to this disease?

If not, my continued prayers are with you. Please pray for my father. After 5 months, the doctors have told me that there is nothing they can do further for him. They are not expecting him to live a month. I will definitely do all that I can to bring awareness to this terrible disease....even if I have to do it alone.

God Bless,
Vinnie

Dearest Vinnie,

Before anything, please forgive me for not writing to you promptly. But, unfortunately I was having 'computer problems', which inabled me to get into the internet.

I'm so sorry to hear about your father. Believe me I've had you and your father in my heart and prayers. Hope all is well with you. As for your father, well, all I can say that if his time has come, we must rejoice (easier said than done...I know) that he'll be with our Heavenly Father and way better off than all of us. Just imagine...God awaiting for him at the 'pearly gates'. Beautiful, huh?

As for the channels here in Calif, I haven't been able to jot them down since I've been busy with my children and doctor appointments. But when I get a chance, I'll definitely send it to you.

Also, have you ever heard of Larry B.? He's a financial counselor of Crown Ministries. He's a survivor of "Renal Cell Carinoma' and has a book out called "Damaged...But not Broken". When he was finally diagnosed with the cancer, he was only given less than two years (at the most)...it's been eight years now. I believe he tried alternative therapies, such as, IV of vitamins, natural herbs, and a recent operation, which wasn't invasive. I suggest, if you can, that you get in touch with him.

God bless you and I'll be praying for both of you and all your family.

Aura

Vinnie - please join this mailing list and you may find out that there is still hope for your Dad in spite of what the doctors are telling you. The list contains more than 600 members - mostly those with renal cell carcinoma, some caregivers as well. Many are survivors after being told there was no hope. http://cancerguide.org/kofaq/.

My friend I have the same thing. When I was first diagnosed I was already terminal It had already spread to my lungs and other outlying organs. I also have contacted the media in reference to this cancer but as with you with no luck at all. It seems to me to be a type of cancer they just want to sweep under the rug. Thanx

Vinny,
My dad also has renal cell carcinoma. He has taken Interleukin-2, which has brought him to just skin and bones. My prayers are with you and your father. When my dad was originally diagonosed, they were able to remove the tumor with surgery and his doctors told him he was cured. Unfortunately, they must have missed something because two years later the cancer came back. He is currently taking the Interferon-Alpha. It hard for me to watch him waste away like he has been doing. But he is such a fighter, he refuses to give up. If you ever need to talk feel free to contact me. Once again, my prayers are with you and your father. My heart goes out to both of you.

George, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. You are right, the media is of no assistance. It's almost like they don't care.

I want to tell you to enjoy life. Do the things you want to do and see the people who bring you joy. I will be praying for you. My father passed away in Jan 2003. But, his memory still lives on in my heart.

Sincerely,
Vinnie B.

Jennifer,

Hi, and thanks for the reply. My father passed away on Jan 15, 2003. He lived for only 6 months. I know what you mean about how hard it is to watch him be so sick with such a vicious disease.

I don't know how long your dad has been sick this go round with this cancer, but just make sure to tell him you love him. My dad and I lived in different states; me in NJ and he in Florida. So, I would go to Florida each time he was admitted to the hospital, which was about every 3 weeks or so. In the end, he couldn't do much of anything on his own. I did get him an electric wheelchair because he couldn't use the regular wheelchair. He was too weak and his muscles were gone, pretty much.

But, we laughed and shared stories about our lives that were funny. We hugged. I would watch him sleep and lock that peaceful memory in my mind. Now, it's been about 10 months and it has been the hardest time of my life. But, my dad made me promise to finish nursing school and not curl up and wither. I have kept my word, although it has been hard.

I am here if you need anyone to talk to.

Sincerely,
Vinnie B.