- Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC)
- Interviews
Kseleyman's interview
How did all start?
I developed swelling in my right arm and went to the doctor to be checked for a blood clot. They did a chest and auxiliary CT to check for lympedema and found the left adrenal mass.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I was diagnosed with a 7cm adrenal mass and a 2.5 cm peri-recital mass. They biopsies both and diagnosed ACC and benign peri-rectal mass.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
My mass had grown into my renal vein so I had a Urologist, a CardioThoracic Surgeon who operated on Oct. 5th. I have seen an oncologist, 3 radiation oncologists, Colorectal Surgeon, endocrinologist, geneticist, 2 urologists (one found the mass growing into my renal vein), Gastroenterologist, NP’s, and my family doctor.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
The Surgery and the help of all the physicians who have coordinated my care.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Going from being healthy to everything in my life changing. I took no medications and hadn’t seen a physician for 5 1/2 years to seeing about 13 in a matter of 2 months and it’s not over.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
It has been very difficult for us to adjust to me being tired & nauseated. Our routine has been messed up between my work schedule to picking up our daughter from school to three doctor appointment almost every week.
What things have you stopped doing?
Taking Life for granted. My work schedule has slowed down because of how I feel.
What do you think about the future?
I’m undecided about what I want to do and not do regarding recommended treatments.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
I have had an amazing life with our kids- we have traveled, we have celebrated, we have enjoyed our life thus far. We had a grandson born almost two years ago and planning on having many more years together.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I’m not letting my condition keep me from enjoying the rest of this life on this earth.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
I’m thankful for the life I have lived.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Do what you will be able to deal with in your own mind.
