Kidney Cancer Association

Susan from Alberta, Canada, was diagnosed with stage 1 kidney cancer at age 25. After receiving a radical right nephrectomy, she has remained cancer-free for 12 years. Below, Susan shares her best advice for those going through a similar situation:

1.) Ask questions and record everything so you can remember what the doctor says. It will also serve as a journal for you down the road.

2.) Be kind to yourself. There will be bad days, hard days, but there will be many good days as well so enjoy those when they come.

3.) Let your close loved ones know when you are having a bad day, don’t keep your feelings to yourself. In my situation, I had to be the “strong” one for my mom and sister but at night, in secret, I fell apart and that was an unnecessary burden on me. I didn’t know how strong I was until being strong was the only choice I had.

If you'd like to share your story with us, email agoodman@kidneycancer.org.