CancerCompass message board discussion started by flkelley on 2/27/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21393,0.htm Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello to all, thank you for taking the time to read my message. My dad was diagnosed recently with Stage IV Kidney cancer that has also spread to his bones. It was quite a shock because his primary doctor simply sent him to a physical therapist months ago when he complained about pain in his back and shoulder. When his pain did not improve, he finally did an MRI and found the cancer. He just completed 15 rounds of radiation treatment to eliminate the pain in his bones and had his first treatment of Toricel on Monday. Because of the aggressiveness of the cancer, the Doctor said this is the best treatment option. His oncologist also said the average life expectancy is a year with his staging. He has many loving family members around him who are very encouraging but he has lost quite a bit of hope with the diagnosis. I have been trying to search for positive messages that give him hope. Does anyone have feedback you are willing to share?  flkelley Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Used together, interferon alpha, a drug that boosts the body's ability to fight off tumors and infections, and sorafenib, a drug that cuts off a tumor's blood supply, led to significant tumor shrinkage in 33 percent of patients in a U.S. pilot study. Oncrx Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 2/27/2008 flkelley wrote:Hello to all, thank you for taking the time to read my message. My dad was diagnosed recently with Stage IV Kidney cancer that has also spread to his bones. It was quite a shock because his primary doctor simply sent him to a physical therapist months ago when he complained about pain in his back and shoulder. When his pain did not improve, he finally did an MRI and found the cancer. He just completed 15 rounds of radiation treatment to eliminate the pain in his bones and had his first treatment of Toricel on Monday. Because of the aggressiveness of the cancer, the Doctor said this is the best treatment option. His oncologist also said the average life expectancy is a year with his staging. He has many loving family members around him who are very encouraging but he has lost quite a bit of hope with the diagnosis. I have been trying to search for positive messages that give him hope. Does anyone have feedback you are willing to share?   Yea-go in and tell the oncologist that if he is not going to help your dad live with cancer your dad will need to find one who will....There are many people who are livign good, productive lives with Stage iV and many doctors who will get in and fight to create a long life for theri patients. No they are not always successful but everyone knows that mindset is half the battle and telling people stuff like that is just plain wrong.  Tell Dad to put on the boxing gloves. Tagml Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husbands 1st Onc said the same thing, a few mths later we saw a rRCC specialist and he said "Years, and new treatments coming out several times a year will even increase those odds." He is also stage 4. knowledgeispower Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi,I too have been diagnosed with met RCC Stage IV.  I first learned I had it in 1997.  Had my kidney removed.  In June 2005, I learned that it was back and now in both lungs, Stage IV, dr. gave me 6 months.  It is now 2-1/2 years later and believe that only God can tag me.  I am 49 years old, married, and have a 16 year old son.  I live each day as though I do not have cancer, I simply put it out of my mind, and only remind myself when I have to go for treatment.  I've been through IL2, Nexavar, Sutent, Avastin along with Nexavar, and now on Torisel.  All meds have worked for me with the exception of IL2.  I've bounced from meds to meds because of the side effects.  Torisel has very little side effects and I can live a normal life and the medicine is working.  Having a good outlook, God in your life, and plenty of support, will help him get through this.  I did and I will!  Good luck and God bless you and your family. DebbieGO Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 2/27/2008 flkelley wrote:Hello to all, thank you for taking the time to read my message. My dad was diagnosed recently with Stage IV Kidney cancer that has also spread to his bones. It was quite a shock because his primary doctor simply sent him to a physical therapist months ago when he complained about pain in his back and shoulder. When his pain did not improve, he finally did an MRI and found the cancer. He just completed 15 rounds of radiation treatment to eliminate the pain in his bones and had his first treatment of Toricel on Monday. Because of the aggressiveness of the cancer, the Doctor said this is the best treatment option. His oncologist also said the average life expectancy is a year with his staging. He has many loving family members around him who are very encouraging but he has lost quite a bit of hope with the diagnosis. I have been trying to search for positive messages that give him hope. Does anyone have feedback you are willing to share?  Hi!   Don't let your Dad give up, I too was DX with stage 4 RCC in 97. I had a rad neph, was good for 10 yrs. Now it's back in lungs bone & adrenal gland. Taking Sutent 50 mg. which is keeping it under control.Don't ever give up because life is worth fighting for. Your Dad will be in my prayers, after all He has the final say. Take Care     John  jorolo1 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT