Coping with kidney cancer through the COVID-19 pandemic
Megan Conley was diagnosed with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in February 2020 and underwent surgery in March during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty. She shared her experience and her major learnings and takeaways in a three-part series. From driving non-stop from Florida to Washington DC for treatment, to watching her husband wave at her hospital window from the street, to losing her beloved dog, to finding her voice as an advocate, follow the links below to learn what happened.
Megan is a featured speaker at the KCA’s upcoming IKCS 2020 and Virtual Patient Symposium joint session on “Treating kidney cancer in a pandemic: Lessons from COVID-19”. Register here.
Part One
An Unexpected Diagnosis
In this the first of Megan’s three-part story, she describes the emotional journey of discovering the tumor, struggling for an accurate diagnosis, and finding strength and guidance in this newfound territory.
Read part one
Part Two
“How much we take for granted”
In part two, Megan has surgery and leads us through her feelings of anxiety and isolation, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Part Three
“Life after kidney cancer will be different”
In the finale of her three-part story, Megan is fresh out of her extended hospital stay and hoping to recuperate at home with her family. Then, the unthinkable happens. Read more about Megan’s journey to recovery, where she found support, and what she would want others facing kidney cancer to know.
