Hi thomthom2913,   I have MRCC, diagnosed in 2012.  Given the fact  the tumour was found early you are very lucky, & yeah, you should be fine.   The body only needs 10% of one functioning kidney to survive well enough before dialisys is needed.  Do you have a date for surgery yet?   Budgie ... View more

I am often thinking of that song too.     Unfortunately for me, when I finish with this chemo there are no treatments left for me,  so then it will be a natural progression of whatever happens.   Fingers crossed for you that it won't get as bad as what you've been told.  It really does depend on the individual.     @Katekat our pretty pussy is a seal point rag doll.  Such a beautiful temperament.   I had a Siamese when I was a child.  They're gorgeous cats as well.   I love all animals - tigers are my favorite. ... View more

Hi Lampwork54, We went to Adelaide, then across to Sydney, Gosford, Newcastle,  Bawley Point, Canberra, then back home to Melbourne.   We were catching up with family at every stop.  Wonderful but exhausting.    My "normal" is an oral chemo tablet every day,  until either it stops working or I can't stand the side effects any more.   But my side effects are very mild compared to most people.  The worst thing I'm suffering from is blisters on the bottom of my feet.  That and not being able to eat chillies  anymore because it affects my mouth too.             ... View more

Skittles Hi there,  I hope you are all going well. I know you are mainly dog lovers, but I must say I prefer cats.  I am lucky enough to have a new addition to our family.  She is the sookiest thing I've ever met, with just one scratch under the chin, she collapses into the softest bundle waiting for a belly rub. We've just come back from our holiday - not long enough, but it is good to be home.  😊       ... View more

Hi Maxnutter,   Really, once you're stage 4, in my opinion, I think the worst is over, mentally anyway.  What I mean is that people tend to hope things don't progress to that level because they think they're going to die.  Well yes, you will die, but it might be years down the track, or it might not even be the cancer that gets you.  I suppose my overall point is that there's no use in worrying about it as the stage 4 point has already been reached, so you might as well get on, as best you can, with enjoying the life you have left.     Counselling (in one form or another), can do wonders, along with meditation & finding some form of relaxation activity to take your mind off things.   Try not to dwell on negatives, but always find a positive from each day.  Every day you wake up is a good day.  😊   Take care Budgie   ... View more

I find that if someone has asked me how I am, I answer truthfully,  & they usually don't ask me again .   I'm sure they try to avoid me because they don't know what to say to you if you tell them you're feeling like crap & have just had one of the most horrendous days of your life.  Even some of my siblings no longer ask how I'm going, unless they feel like they really have to.  That's what it seems like, anyway .   I'm in the middle of a 2 week holiday with my husband, so have had a bit of catch up reading to do.   Re what I've learned from my cancer experience; you guys have done an excellent job of covering most things.   Really the only thing more I can offer is - don't look a gift horse in the mouth.  If someone asks if there's anything they can do for you, take them up on the offer.   Initially , I didn't want anyone to do anything for me, as I didn't want to lose control.  I saw it as losing my independence.  Now, I'll gladly accept help when I can, & I'll also ask for help if I need it. I have been too exhausted for too long to knock back an offer of help these days.   Cheese - there is no life without cheese!   I've got the rest of this week visiting family around NSW & Canberra, then the weekend alone with hubby before he goes back to work.   Not much time for him to relax as he does all the driving these days.             ... View more

Hi Bianca88,   Please be careful using painkillers if you're going to as they can cause constipation.  If you're using them,  it might pay to use some movicol & coloxyl with senna  - easily available at the chemist.   Budgie     ... View more

Hi Jenniferwang,    My deepest sympathies for your loss.  Please don't forget that we are here for you still.  Take care & look after yourself .   Budgie  ... View more

Hi Rach44,   It's horrible not knowing what's going to happen, but your great grandma sounds like a lovely woman, & she is right.  Everything will be alright. I was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer back in Aug 2012.  With my type of cancer there is only an 8% chance of making it to 5 years after diagnosis.  But, 7 years down the track & I'm still here & going strong.  I'm one of the lucky ones I suppose.  I was never given a prognosis of how much time I have left - probably because I don't follow any of the text book rules of kidney cancer, & they don't like to guess in case they get sued.    I would take it with a grain of salt anyway, as I believe that attitude has a lot to do with how long a person will survive.  Don't give up!     I don't know anything about the alternative therapies you are using.  Are you getting them thru a naturopath?  If not, I would find out if there are any conflicts between them, as well as your chemo, like sch suggested.   I think everyone should plan their own funeral.  I keep saying that death isn't talked about enough in society these days.  We're all scared of it when there really is nothing to be scared of.    The only bad thing about dying is the "how", & the "when".   It would be fabulous if we could all just die peacefully in our sleep after having a wonderfully happy, long life, with a family that we love & who loves us in return.   But that's not always the case.  I have planned my funeral.  All you need to do is get in touch with one of the funeral palours & take it from there.  These days, you can have pretty much anything you want in the way of funerals.  While it can make you cry organising it, it's much better planning now & getting everything sorted, than leaving it for your loved ones to have to cope with when they are greiving for you, & often can't think straight, or are agonising over choices thinking about what you would have wanted etc.   Regarding what questions should you ask - absolutely anything you want to know the answer to that's relevant to your situation.  All the questions you've listed are great.  The only silly question is the one that's not asked! Don't hesitate to ask questions. 🙂   Budgie     ... View more

Hi Rick,   That's fabulous information & was very entertaining.  I think the human body is a phenomenal machine, & it's amazing what you can get used to.     Good luck with everything.   Budgie  ... View more