Pamela Wright Fiesler aka PamYellowrose
Hi, my name is Pam and this is my kidney cancer journey.
I've been married to my wonderful husband (Steve) for 30 years. We have one daughter (Casey) who is 28 and graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in May 09 and is currently working on her PhD at Georgia Tech. They have both been my greatest supporters during this journey. I also have had amazing support from some very wonderful friends and family. I couldn't imagine going through this without them. I also want to thank all of my new friends from the Kidney Cancer Warrior Support Group (Chat) and the KCA Forum. They have been a wonderful source of information and support (I consider them my on-line family).
It all began on June 18, 2008. I had turned 50 the previous December. Until that day, I thought I was perfectly healthy. I always had annual physicals, yearly mammograms, had my 1st bone density test & colonoscopy earlier that year (because you are supposed to when you turn 50). I thought I was doing everything right – never smoked, never drank alcohol. On that day in June, I noticed that I had blood in my urine and was planning on contacting my GP the next day to find out what was going on. However, late that evening I started having severe pain in my right side and was very nauseous and started vomiting. The pain kept getting worse and around 10 pm my husband took me to the ER. The doctor in the ER sent me for a CT of my abdomen thinking I probably had a kidney stone. Instead, a mass on my right kidney was discovered. I was admitted to the hospital and the next day scheduled for more testing that included an MRI of my abdomen. The urologist told me he was pretty certain that the mass was cancer and scheduled me for a Right Radical Nephrectomy for the following Monday. I was just numb when he said the words CANCER – not me, he can’t be talking about me! But he was and, as Paul Harvey said, “Here’s the Rest of the Story.”
On June 23rd, I had the surgery which went great. Pathology Report was
- Tumor size 6.7 x 6 x 2.5 cm
- Renal Cell Carcinoma, clear cell type, Fuhrman grade 2
- Tumor limited to kidney
- Ureteral and vascular surgical margins negative for malignancy
- Pathological Staging: pT2, pNX, pMX
About a month after my surgery, I met with my oncologist for the 1st time. He, too, thought I had a good chance (85%) of not having any additional problems. I thought this is great - my surgery and recovery went very smoothly, and now I had an 85% chance that I would not have any more problems - life is good. To be on the safe side, he scheduled me for a Chest CT Scan and a Whole Body Bone scan for the following week. The Bone Scan was negative, but the Chest CT Scan showed very tiny nodules in both lungs that could be anything. My oncologist decided to have scans taken again in about 3 months to see if there was any change.
The scans in October 2008 showed the nodules in both lungs had increased in size and number. Additionally, the radiologist noted something suspicious looking in the kidney bed area. I was then scheduled for a biopsy that confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma. I guess that was the turning point. I knew then I really had a battle ahead of me. However, I was and still am determined to fight with everything I have and some.
After talking over options with my oncologist, I chose to go on a Phase III clinical trial “Sutent vs. Pazopanib”. I started seeing a different oncologist (in the same practice) who was conducting the Clinical Trial. I was randomized to the Sutent which I started taking on 11-24-08. I had great results with Sutent - over 50% shrinkage! The side effects were not fun – but as long as it was working – great. Scans in Oct 09 showed an increase in size and number of pulmonary metastases as well as progression of the tumor in the kidney bed area which suggested Sutent had stopped working and I was released from that trial.
My oncologist then suggested another Phase III Clinical Trial (Axitinib vs. Nexavar). I really think that doing ClinicalTrials, if possible, is one of the ways I can contribute to the research of new and better treatments for Kidney Cancer. This time I was randomized to the Study drug “Axitinib” which I began taking on 11-02-09. I had scans six weeks later on 12-14-09. There was again increase in size and number of lung mets and an increase in the size of the kidney bed tumor. Additionally, there were also multiple ring-enhancing liver lesions (which were new compared to previous CT Scans). These results suggested that Axitinib was not working so once again I was released from the Clinical Trial.
On 12-24-09, I started taking Afinitor. My oncologist is not an RCC Oncologist so I thought it was time to see one. I knew I would have scans in approximately 8-9 weeks for follow-up on how Afinitor was working. My local oncologist set up a referral with an RCC Oncologist at Duke Cancer Center for the week following my scheduled CT Scans which were scheduled for 2-23-10. I had no side effects with this drug so I was really praying it was working. Unfortunately, the scans on 2-23-10 showed a slight increase in size and number of mets in both lungs, kidney bed area & liver.
On 3-1-10, I traveled from Atlanta to the Duke Cancer Center to see an RCC Oncologist. My doctor went over all my records and CT Scan results with me. He said that after reviewing my scans from December (that were read as having represented disease progression) he was unclear if that truly represented disease progression or potentially response to therapy. He was concerned that perhaps doctors are not giving drugs enough time to actually show whether or not they could actually be working. After going over several different options, we both decided since I was feeling so good, having no side effects from Afinitor, and there was only slight progression, I should stay on the Afinitor for another 8 weeks to give the Afinitor more time to work, if it is going to work. I will have scans again the middle of April to find out for sure. If the Afinitor is actually working – that will be great. If it isn’t, I will travel back to Duke to decide on the next step of this journey.
This is my story thus far – I’m keeping a positive attitude and will battle hard every step of the way on this journey that I didn’t choose. God has been holding my hand during each step and I have placed it in His hands to help guide my doctor’s in treating me.
I think finding out that I had cancer has really made me aware of just how much for which I have to be thankful. I know that sounds odd but I don't take things for granted like I did in the past. I have God on my side, a wonderful family and great friends and I look at each day as a gift - I'm hoping to have many more of those gifts!
I’m wishing for all of the warriors and their loved ones that one day this war will have a victorious outcome with the discovery of a drug that will once and for all destroy this thing called “CANCER”.
Written By: Pamela Wright Fiesler
Pam AKA in chat PamYellowrose and YellowRose on KCA forums
Thanks Pam for sharing your story with all of us. You are truly an inspiration
to so many of us. Your positive attitude and compassion are a blessing!
Pam is no longer with us here on earth. She won her battle against kidney cancer and will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her!
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