This is a guest post by Joshua Silva, a fitness enthusiast and creator (@joshsilva7 on Instagram) who was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in 2023 at age 31. He is based in Houston, Texas.
Life has a way of catching us off guard when we least expect it. For me, it all started with severe stomach pains that led to an unexpected hospital visit. I assumed it was a simple case of appendicitis, but the reality turned out to be far more complicated. A CT scan confirmed the appendicitis, but it also revealed a concerning mass on my left kidney. I’ll never forget the feeling of being wheeled into surgery, knowing there was a much bigger issue on the other side.
The weeks that followed were filled with both physical recovery from the appendectomy and a mental struggle from the news I received in the ER. It wasn’t until I met with my urologist that the extent of my condition became clear. I vividly remember sitting in his office with my family, circled around staring at the CT scan on his computer screen. The doctor’s voice was calm, but his words made my stomach sink. “What do you see wrong with this picture?” he asked, pointing to the screen. “You see this—this isn’t supposed to be there. It’s the size of a tennis ball. It’s cancer.”
In that moment, my world shifted. Looking around the room at my family members faces and me just standing there in shock. How could this be? I worked out regularly my whole life. I grew up an athlete and always in the gym, ate well, and took care of my body. Cancer was something that happened to other people, not to someone like me. The initial shock quickly gave way to a flood of emotions walking out of his office. As I underwent additional scans to ensure the cancer hadn’t spread, the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma was confirmed.
Looking back, I realized there were signs I had ignored. Persistent lower back pain that no amount of stretching or foam rolling could get rid of, which I attributed to my active lifestyle of weight lifting and golfing. An unexplained uptick in feelings of anxiety, as if my body was trying to tell me something. I was also “always tired” for about a year leading up to that ER visit. These were subtle hints that something was wrong, but I dismissed them as minor inconveniences.
The next step was surgery to remove the tumor. Thankfully, the prognosis was positive—the cancer hadn’t spread and I was able to save most of my kidney, and my recovery was expected to be smooth. Despite this, the experience left a lasting mark on me. I realized how close I came to dismissing the warning signs, writing off persistent back pain as just another part of my active lifestyle.
During this challenging time, I leaned heavily on my faith. I believe there were many doors that opened and dominoes that fell into place that some might call luck, but I credit it all to God. My faith provided me with the strength and hope to face each day with courage and determination.
Now, standing on the other side of my diagnosis, I feel a huge sense of purpose. I want to raise awareness about the importance of listening to our bodies. No matter how healthy we think we are, our bodies have ways of signaling when something isn’t right. If you feel something is off, don’t hesitate to get it checked out. It could be nothing, but it could also be the crucial early detection that saves your life. Prioritize your health.
My journey with kidney cancer has taught me that health is not something to be taken for granted. It’s a reminder that we need to be vigilant, proactive, and in tune with our bodies. Sharing my story is my way of encouraging others to take charge of their health, to listen when their body speaks, and to never assume that illness is something that only happens to others.
I am grateful for the chance to continue my journey, and I am committed to using my experience to help others. Thank you to God, my family, and my friends. Life is precious, and our health is the most valuable asset we have.
- The Renal Warrior Project. Join Now
- Source: https://www.kidneycancer.org/stories/joshua-silva/