Lee Cooper
Hello everyone my name is Leona (Lee) Cooper and I have been asked to tell you about my journey with KCC.
Lets start at the beginning. I am a 67 (soon to be 68) year old woman who has been told that I have a great admiration for life and people. I have 6 children, 4 biologic and 2 step children, 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. I have the most wonderful man in my life who is my rock along with my children and some pretty special ladies.
At the young age of 64, I decided to try to skate and ride a bike again. Of course, that led to many falls and scrapes. Also, about the same time, I was constantly feeling like I had a flu bug - nothing to make me see the doctor but enough to annoy me. I also had a sore on my back near the kidney area. A doctor had previously told me I had a degenerative disc that was crushed, and I was sure it was the disk causing the pain. My family doctor sent me for physio which, of course, didn’t help. Then, I went to a chiriopractor for about 1 and ½ years. Still, all the while, feeling like I had this darn flu and sore back which would come and go. Finally, I told my doctor I wanted a MRI as nothing else was working. October 2008, I had the MRI and they saw this mass which I knew in my heart was cancer. After seeing my family doctor, I was sent for an Xray and of course the mass was still there. In November, I was sent to see Dr. Girvan, Urologist, who did blood work, and a chest xray. I can tell you I was one scared puppy - actually, I was very scared. I had just had my mammogram and chest Xray with no bad results.
So, on December 10, 2008, I had a CT scan. I went with my son to see the urologist on December 20, 2008, and he told me I had a very rare form of cancer (adrenal) which only about 3 % of the population get with a survival rate of 1%. Well, I can tell you I was totally shocked. My son was trying so hard not to show how he felt; but I was angry, as I knew I was not ready to leave this world. They explained that it probably came from the lungs or breast area. I have never in my life been on such a roller coaster as I was that day and nite. On my way home I started to tell the good man upstairs (God) that I was not going anywhere as I have twin grandsons who are 14 and I will be sitting in the arena when they are called to the NHL draft...and that was that! I was not going to go peacefully. Well, by this time, I was crying so hard I wasn't making any sense and had to pull my car over. Thank God people just drove by. It was the scariest nite of my life. The next morning, I made a vow that this would be the very best Christmas for my family and loved ones. I went shopping for groceries and had just paid the lady when my cell rang. It was the doctor telling me they had made a mistake. I did not have Adrenal Cancer; instead, I had Kidney Cancer. Well, let me tell you, I never thanked anyone so much as I did that poor doctor. He kept saying "but you still have cancer" and I kept saying "That's okay. I can beat this. At least, I am not going to die. At least not right now."
I left my groceries in the store and went outside to phone my son and partner. A man came running out and told me I had left all my groceries there. I told him I was going to live and that I had totally forgotten about the food. We had a good laugh. Of course, everyone was so pleased with my news.
On January 23, 2009, I entered the Queensway Hospital in Ottawa and underwent a left radical nephrectomy. The final pathology showed a conventional clear cell, renal cell carcinoma, Furman grade 2, measuring 7.1cm. confined to the kidney. I had my kidney, adrenal gland and a rib taken out (rib studied to make sure no bone cancer).
I was in intensive care for 3 days and then moved to a private room and sent home on the 5th morning. How blessed was I..the cancer was gone.
Well, I did all the follow up stuff that needs to be done and it was nothing but good news. Now that being said, I kept crying and was still so scared. I figured I was still going to die but never wanted to tell anyone about how I felt. I am good at wearing a mask and hiding my feelings from the world. I finally took the bull by the horns and phoned the Canadian Cancer Society and told them what I had been through. They had a woman who was near my age and had gone through the same thing call and speak to me. You can bet that this made me feel so much better. I still cried but not so scared anymore. Then one day I decided to start Kidney Cancer Survivors on facebook and wow the response was overwhelming. I never knew so many people had been through the same disease. How fortunate was I to read all the stories and signs of Hope. I have to say I still cry a lot but am not so scared anymore. I met a wonderful lady by the name of Julie Hawkins Thrush (who is also a Kidney Cancer Survivor) who became my friend and has been there for me whenever I have a question. This site has helped me more than I can possibly say and I want to say thanks to all of you. I just passed my 1 1/2 year mark and am still NED. I found a job working for a real estate lady and do it part time. I have a great partner, family, friends, health and job. What more can anyone ask for.
Thank you Leigh for letting me share this journey. If anyone needs to talk to others, just let them know we have some good sites to go to for information now.
WE WILL BEAT THIS NASTY DISEASE!
Lee Cooper
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