March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month. But, in actuality, every month is cancer awareness month.
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer. Since, I’ve received terrific care and immunotherapy treatments at the Mayo Clinic. Two months ago Mayo surgeons removed my kidney. Last week, based upon the most recent CT scan, my doctor informed me, “no cancer detected.”
None of this necessarily means I’m cured. In fact, I will continue receiving treatment and care for the foreseeable future. But the progress made to restore my health is a minor miracle.
But here’s the point. My cancer was detected, by accident, during a routine physical examination. I had no symptoms.
Sadly, during this past year, due to coronavirus and other reasons, millions of Americans postponed or skipped medical appointments and cancer screenings.
So please, if you haven’t seen your doctor in awhile, make an appointment. Early diagnosis of serious disease greatly improves your chance of survival, as I can attest.
To fellow cancer survivors: please hang in there and keep fighting! New cures are hitting the market virtually everyday. And it’s uncanny the way family, friends, medical professionals and total strangers rally around us.
I’m grateful to God for His healing hands, Mayo Clinic professionals, the biopharmaceutical cure Keytruda, my wife Jennifer, and all of you for your prayers, support and encouragement.
Jim Hagedorn
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