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Kidney cancer is an insidious disease - it develops essentially asymptomatically. It is difficult to detect at an early stage and gives no symptoms. Most patients find out about the presence of a tumor on the kidney by accident. This is also the story of 38-year-old Marta - we have two children. What was the diagnostic process and treatment of the young mother like?
It was a coincidence that decided about your cancer diagnosis. Can you tell about it?
That's right, it was a total accident. I felt good, I functioned. I was accompanied only by fatigue due to the birth of a son. One night, getting out of bed to meet my baby, I stumbled and hit the left side of my abdomen in the area of the spleen. It hurt a lot. For a moment, I was even convinced that my spleen had ruptured and decided to sign up for an ultrasound of the abdomen.
When was that?
In March 2022, so during the first wave of coronavirus. Performing an ultrasound at that time was close to a miracle, no one was able to refer me to this examination. I realized that I had private insurance after all. The nearest facility is 30 km from the house.
Successful appointment?
The next available date was in a month, but it worked. During the ultrasound it turned out that I had some kind of change - probably a cystic one on the right kidney.
How did you react?
I had black visions, because the year before, my mother died of lung cancer, who was an active athlete, amateur cycling, took care of herself and led a he althy lifestyle. She died on May 21, 2022, I gave birth to a son on June 13, so not even a month has passed.
What further diagnostic tests were ordered to determine if it was really a cystic lesion?
I did early diagnostics again under private insurance, it was an MRI. The result showed that it was a neoplastic lesion, but it was not known which one.
What happened next?
I was looking for a hospital close to my place of residence, but the only urology and oncology hospital in Poznań was transformed into a covid hospital. Unfortunately, COVID-19 wasn't the only disease, people continued to suffer from other causes, and allthe pandemic situation has significantly delayed the diagnostic processes of many people.
How did you feel about it all?
My son was then one year old, my daughter turned four, I didn't know what to do. I didn't have a chance to work through my mother's death due to the birth of my son. Everything started to fall apart, there was a lot of nerves and stress. But I had to act. I remembered that my mother was consulted at the European He alth Center in Otwock.
Poznań to Otwock is a long way!
350 km, but I didn't think about it. I had paths there, so I knew I had a starting point. I was able to arrange a consultation fairly quickly, because people did not want to be treated due to COVID-19.
But did you care about it?
Yes, I couldn't believe someone wouldn't be treated. I wanted to do what had to be done as soon as possible. I was at the oncologist, the next week I had already done tomography with MRI. Due to the fact that this test was performed with contrast, I had to perform a complete blood count, creatinine, etc., of course.
The test results were good?
Yes, the results were normal. A week later, I returned to the urologist-oncologist from the European He alth Center in Otwock, who confirmed that it was a kidney tumor, but only histopathology confirmed what type of tumor it was - a malignant tumor of the kidney without a renal pelvis. A quick operation was necessary.
How big was the tumor?
The tumor was 3.5 centimeters.
However, in your case it was not necessary to remove the kidney?
No, I was informed that doctors would be doing their best to save the kidney, but it would turn out on the operating table. The tumor was located on the kidney, it had to be removed along with the parenchymal layer of the kidney.
The operation was successful?
Yes, the tumor was completely removed, including the parenchymal layer. The operation took place in mid-October. It happened very quickly, the whole process was completed in an unimaginably short time of approx. 2 months.
You were very lucky in misfortune.
Yes, because there were no metastases, it was completely cut. It was a laparoscopic operation.
How did you feel after the operation?
Fatal, after seven hours of anesthesia, I felt as if someone was hitting me on the head with a stick. Drains in the abdomen, catheter - I felt bad not only physically but also mentally. I was alone in a room, far from home, without visiting because of the coronavirus. It was a difficult time. I was unable to get up on my own.
You did come home quite quickly.
Yes, but on my return I had a high fever. I was very weak after the surgery, I was worried it was COVID-19 infection. I broke up mentally and pretended to the whole world that it was ok, I closed in on myself.
What about further treatment? Was it necessary?
Fortunately, chemotherapy is not used in kidney cancer because it is ineffective. Instead, immunotherapy is used. For me it was not necessary because the tumor was completely removed. So I wasn't burdened with any medications. I was supposed to come to the check-up after three months.
How did you feel while waiting for the results?
During these three months I grew dry, pretended that I was coping. I went to psychotherapy, but gave it up. Everything fell apart, I moved away from my children and my partner. I suffocated my problems within myself. However, I have the motivation to fight to put everything in order. I'm just going back to psychotherapy. I believe that every cancer patient should be obligatorily covered by psychological assistance.
The weight of the problems grew.
Yes, and it started with my mother's illness, which suddenly started to “drift away”. After a month, she was diagnosed with lung cancer with metastases to the brain, to the liver, in fact the whole body was infected with cancer. Mom never smoked a cigarette. Gestational diabetes was an additional burden for me, at the same time I also had huge problems at work, and finally I had an illness. I had no way to work it.
Sometimes everything has to fall apart for it to fall apart again.
Definitely yes, but I wish I had suppressed it all for so long.
Maybe it's because of fear?
I was terribly afraid to talk about cancer - it is still a taboo topic in Poland. It is not talked about despite the fact that many people get sick. When my mother died, I spontaneously bought the oncoplan, these are small monthly fees.
You were very lucky - an accidental blow to your stomach saved your life.
It was probably not a coincidence. I think my mother was watching over me. I played basketball for 15 years, had many bruises, sprains, torn ligaments and suspected concussion, but I have never done any research on this subject. In this situation, I just felt that I had to do an ultrasound.
Did your diagnosis make you change your lifestyle?
I take supplements, I've almost completely quit alcohol. But sometimes I go out to a party, I'm just human.
You checked inOnline information about the disease?
Yes, I sat at home for a long time, reading, checking and feeling depressed even though I knew it was wrong. It was stronger than me. Eventually, a doctor told me not to, because not everything on the Internet is true.
Are you missing your old life?
Yes, I miss having a normal, happy, a bit of a twisted and spontaneous life. I used to be the life and soul of the party. Hope it comes back again.
What would you like to tell the readers of our portal?
First of all, if anyone has any feeling that something is happening to their he alth, they should go for a checkup as soon as possible. Don't hesitate, listen to your intuition and your body. In addition, use the advice of real specialists.
I wish you successful control results. Thank you for the interview.
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Marcelina Dzięciołowska Editor for many years associated with the medical industry. He specializes in he alth and an active lifestyle. A private passion for psychology inspires her to take up difficult topics in this field. Author of a series of interviews in the field of psycho-oncology, the aim of which is to build awareness and break stereotypes about cancer. He believes that the right mental attitude can work wonders, therefore he promotes professional knowledge based on consultations with specialists.