Age at Diagnosis

Robert was 71 years old when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Today, he is cancer free and living with no evidence of disease (NED) after surgery to remove the tumor while saving his kidney.

How It All Began

Robert’s kidney cancer was discovered completely by surprise.

He was in the hospital recovering from a bowel obstruction when doctors ordered a CT scan. The scan wasn’t meant to look for cancer—it was simply part of his care for another issue. But it revealed something no one was expecting:

• A tumor in his left kidney, likely cancer

• A stone in his right kidney

At 12:30 a.m., a doctor walked into his hospital room and delivered the news: there was a tumor in his left kidney that was probably cancer, and it could be treated on an outpatient basis. Then the doctor left.

Robert was stunned.
There was no history of cancer in his family. He wasn’t sure who to call or what to do next.

Sleep was no longer an option.

First Steps: Local Opinion in Erie

After he was discharged, Robert made an appointment with a urologist in Erie.

Based on the tumor’s location, the local urologist recommended removing the entire left kidney. It was presented as the safest path—kidney tumors are usually cancer, and taking out the whole kidney would be “almost a 100% cure.”

But there was a complication: that stone in the right kidney.

The plan was to first make sure his right kidney was working well before removing the left one. Robert underwent lithotripsy in Erie to break up the stone, and the procedure was successful.

He walked out of that experience knowing two things:

1. His right kidney was functioning.

2. He still wasn’t completely comfortable with losing his entire left kidney.

That’s when he decided to seek a second opinion.

A Second Opinion That Changed Everything

After lithotripsy, Robert made an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic.

There, he met Dr. Weight, a urologic surgeon. Instead of immediately talking about removing the whole kidney, Dr. Weight carefully reviewed his case and offered a different option:

He believed he could remove just the tumor and preserve the kidney.

This was a turning point.

Instead of accepting that his entire left kidney had to go “just to be safe,” Robert now had a plan that would not only treat the cancer but also protect his long-term kidney function.

Surgery and Recovery

Robert had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on December 18, 2023.

• The tumor in his left kidney was removed.

• Pathology showed clear margins, meaning there was no cancer left at the edges of the tissue they removed.

• He went home the very next day.

Since surgery, follow-up CT scans have shown no signs of disease.

He is now cancer free and living with both kidneys—one of them partially removed but preserved thanks to the surgical approach recommended in his second opinion.

Life Before and After Cancer

Robert is a retired engineer from GE Healthcare, a career built on problem-solving, precision, and systems that help others.

In his free time, he enjoys:

• Golfing with his brother

• Visiting new restaurants with his wife

• Fixing things, using his skills and curiosity to repair and tinker

These everyday joys—family, food, hobbies, and staying active—are what he’d rather be thinking about than kidney cancer.

The People Who Helped Him Through

Robert is quick to point out that he did not go through this alone.

• His wife has been his rock, standing by him through every appointment, decision, and moment of uncertainty.

• Their daughter joined them in Cleveland for surgery and played a huge role in keeping his wife calm and supported.

• They are also blessed with very supportive neighbors, who added another layer of care and reassurance throughout his journey.

How It Felt to Hear “You Have a Tumor”

When he was first told he had a tumor likely to be cancer, Robert felt shock more than anything.

With no family history of cancer, the diagnosis came out of nowhere. He didn’t know who to call or what to do next. The news was delivered in the middle of the night, and after that conversation, sleep was impossible. He was left with more questions than answers.

But step by step, appointment by appointment, he moved from shock and confusion to clarity and action.

Robert’s Advice for Others Newly Diagnosed with Kidney Cancer

Robert’s experience taught him lessons he wants to pass on to others who may be facing a similar diagnosis:

1. Get a Second Opinion

His local doctor wanted to remove the entire kidney because kidney tumors are usually cancer and doing so would provide an almost guaranteed cure.

But the second opinion at Cleveland Clinic saved his kidney and still treated the cancer effectively.

“Get a second opinion. It made all the difference for me.”

2. Share Your Diagnosis With People You Trust

Robert kept his diagnosis fairly private at first, telling only a few people. He felt it was a personal matter and “nobody else’s business.”

Looking back, he emphasizes the importance of support:

“Share your diagnosis with one or two people you trust. You need the reassurance and support. You do need someone to talk to.”

Whether it’s a spouse, child, close friend, or neighbor, having someone in your corner can make a huge difference.

Moving Forward

Today, Robert is living life as a cancer-free, retired engineer who loves golf, good food, projects around the house, and time with the people who matter most.

His story is a powerful reminder that:

• A surprising diagnosis can show up in the middle of treating something else.

• The first plan offered isn’t always the only plan.

• Second opinions can protect not just your life, but your quality of life.

• Support from loved ones makes the journey easier to bear.

And most importantly: there is hope—even when the words “kidney tumor” first arrive in the quiet of a hospital room at 12:30 a.m.