Hello all. I think most people start thinking about the things they'd like to do with their remaining time as they get older, and for those of us whose cancer treatment is becoming no longer effective, it's very much in the forefront of our minds. Spending time with friends and family, perhaps travel, helping others less fortunate are some that spring to mind. Kidney cancer and I go way back. I lost my right kidney to cancer in 2008, part of my left in 2012, and was diagnosed with metastatic renal cancer in 2017, so I've had plenty of time to think about these things.  My oncologist tells me I have around 12 months left. (That was over 3 months ago) Very near the top of my bucket list was seeing a lot more of this beautiful country of ours, and having accessed my superannuation benefit due to terminal illness I bought myself a beautiful big caravan and 4 wheel drive. Unfortunately I only managed a few days away with my little dog before the corona virus restrictions began to come into place. Even then, being a fan of free (bush) camping I thought I'd be ok. Now I find that in South Australia even crown land is out of bounds. Regardless of the fact that I'm completely self-sufficient and it's just myself and my little best mate, I can no longer carry out all I had planned for my final few months of relatively good health. Ah if only I knew a shady little spot by the river where I could throw in a line, relax and bother no one ... and vice versa. I'm sure there are others in a similar helpless situation. If so, I'd love to here from you. As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved ... or something like that.  Warm regards,  Lonely1 ... View more

Hi. My name is Steve. I'm 58 years of age, and I was first diagnosed with Kidney Cancer in 2008. I had a Right Radical Nephrectomy very shortly after the diagnosis and I was told by my specialist that he was confident he'd left no trace of it behind. In 2013, routine follow-up scans showed another tumour in my left kidney, and I had a partial (golf ball sized) left nephrectomy. In September last year, scans showed several tumours in each Lung and one in my Pancreas. The biopsy showed them to be all related to the original RCC. Apparently Chemo and Radiation have little to no impact on renal cancer, so I'm being treated with a drug called Pazopanib (Votrient.) I live alone in Littlehampton, SA, with my recently fostered four legged little friend Digby. I've been separated for around 8 years now and I'm feeling very alone in all this. Being a shy teen, I married the only girl who ever showed any interest in me, but as the years went by, I became incresingly tired of her controlling ways and eventually gathered up the courage to leave her in the hope I'd find a better life somewhere out there. I thought I'd find that happy person that I once was. I was so very, very wrong. Unfortunately, my ex, the tough, unshakeable and stubborn type that she is, ruined me financially through the property settlement (bye bye bucket list! lol) and poisoned any friendships that I had before the marriage break-up. I have four wonderful boys, and though I'm so very proud of each and every one of them, they have become incresingly distant over the past 8 years. I was diagnosed with Depression about 4 years ago and have been struggling ever since. The therapy and medication has helped keep me going, but therapy alone can't solve all my problems. It can't cure stage 4 cancer or win me cross lotto   I'm told Votrient will never cure me, but it can buy me time. I've had to deal with some nasty side-effects, but I had my first scans about six weeks ago and the tumours in my lungs have shown some shrinkage and the one in my pancreas doesn't appear to have grown. Great news! ... If only there was a cure for lonliness  So if there's someone out there in a similar situation, it'd be great to hear from you. Everybody needs a friend. Especially through the tough times. Regards, Steve ... View more