Great news @AlfHam, I'm very pleased your scan was clear. 😊 I've never actually had a PET scan. I was told they weren't very good for kidney cancer. Anyway, your news is wonderful. Keep on getting well. Ciao Budgie ... View more

Thank you Kolt, but there's no need to be sorry for me. I'm in full acceptance of everything, no reason to complain. My life is good at the moment 🙂 . I actually feel sorry for you as I think your situation is worse than mine. Thank you very much. I wish you all the very best. ... View more

Hi @BlueWren, Waiting is a terrible thing to have to do. My surgeon told me the wonderful thing about the kidneys is you only need 10% of one kidney for your body to function properly. So, while it's not nice having an organ removed, sometimes, when it's necessary to remove it, it's not that bad at the end of the day. Here's hoping you don't need yours removed. 🤞 ... View more

Hi AlfHam, I always get a copy of the report for all my scans & most blood tests. I always go over everything they say, & Google everything if I don't understand it. I ask questions of my onc regarding the reports if there's something I want clarified. But, you have to remember that everyone is different, made differently. I've had reports saying I've had knee replacements before, when I haven't. You have to remember that they are comparing to a text book. One person's bones can look very different to another person's bones etc. Don't stress too much. Listen to your body. You will know if there's something wrong. You will have pain in your bone if you have a tumour in it. They are very painful. A bone scan requires you to have a radiation injection, wait a couple of hours for the radiation to spread through your body, then have the scan. The scanner will be very close to your body & travel very slowly down the length of your body. The actual machine is of a very low radiation level. Not like a normal x-ray machine. Don't stress! Stress causes more problems. 👍 ... View more

@Angel1 & @kj, I thank you both for your compliments, saying I'm a strong person. I may well be, but, I really just don't want to give up on life. I love it too much. 🙂 My husband is a wonderful person. He thinks about absolutely everything & would do absolutely anything I want him to. He's compassionate & logical, but also a bit of a comic. Always makes me laugh. There's never a dull moment with him around. I think we truly are soul mates & I've been very lucky to have him in my life. I just wish everyone could be so fortunate as me. Budgie ... View more

Hi Craigyboy1987, It's not easy, knowing you are dying, & trying to stay positive. The worst thing about it is knowing what you'll miss out on in the years to come, & hoping those you leave behind will cope with everything. My advice to you is to try & let your father know that you will be fine after his passing. Even if that is the total opposite to what you may think at the moment. Rest assured that life goes on, & while the death of someone special is hard to take, it is a natural part of the cycle of life, & something we all will endure. Talk with him often, about anything & everything; ask about his childhood, what he remembers of his grandparents, etc. Make each day worth living & enjoy your remaining time together. When the time comes, even now really, if you find you need help with coping, don't forget to seek help through either the Cancer Council, or Lifeline, a counsellor, friend, or whoever. Just remember to talk to someone, because it will help you. All the best Budgie ... View more

@Sarah11, How devastating. I am so very sorry. I hope you make some lovely memories with your family. Looking on the bright side of death - I've had a great sense of relief in preparing my funeral arrangements. Relief, because I know that when I do finally kick the bucket, everything is ready to go & hubby doesn't have to plan/organise things when he's in no fit shape to do so. I've had a bit of fun in preparing my own coffin.  As I love ancient Egyptian art work,  hubby made a new coffin lid (for a cheap coffin we purchased through a funeral co.); we covered it with wallpaper you can paint on & I painted my sarcophagus. I have a pic of it on my home page I'd you'd like to see it. It even has a mask of my face which we had fun making. I found the whole thing quite therapeutic, & while I know making your own coffin isn't everyone's idea of something nice to do, it gave me a sense of control over something I cannot control. For that, I am very grateful to my hubby for suggesting it. I wish there was a magical cure for cancer; just snap your fingers &, voila, all cancer gone. Sending you my best wishes Budgie ... View more

Hey BlueWren, Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but it sounds like you've caught it early too. My brother also has kidney cancer, diagnosed recently. This was on top of him already having prostate cancer, but because it was caught quickly, he had it ablated & now he's got the all clear. I hope all goes smoothly & easily for you with your coming treatment. Please feel free to ask me anything if you want to. Budgie ... View more

Hi Kate, I've been very well thanks. My next eye surgery is booked in for 20th July, all going well with COVID that is. I am so looking forward it. I'm wearing a contact lens in my right eye for the time being, & I really don't like it much. Hubby has recovered as well as can be expected. Thanks for asking 🙂 . He is now preparing for surgery on his lower spine - probably in August. That will be more fusions. Poor thing just needs a whole new spine. But all is good - we'll be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary on the 13th of this month - a nice day trip down the coast may be in order, with a yummy dinner to finish the day. How is your family? All keeping safe, I hope? Budgie ... View more

Absolutely! Peace of mind is a wonderful thing. You will get better day by day. My only real advice here is to drink plenty of water to help your kidneys - at least 2 - 3 litres a day. That way you'll ease any pressure on them to flush toxins from your body. Cheers Budgie ... View more