From My Mind to....

Searching for the Source

People have been searching for sources for most of history--the source of homo sapiens on the African plains, the source of the Nile River--and for me, the source of this kidney cancer. Why did I get this particular cancer?

I seem to have no family history for kidney cancer. Lung cancer, yes; kidney cancer, no. And these two forms seem to have little relationship with each other.

And of the four persons in my family who died from lung cancer, heavy smoking was involved with all.

I found a link online to WebMD’s “A Guide to Kidney Cancer.” An interesting guide, indeed. The main points of who might get kidney cancer include:

 Be between 50 and 70. Check, but hardly conclusive.
 Men are 2 to 3 times more likely to get it than women. Check, again not conclusive.
 African-American people have a higher chance of getting it than other groups. Non-check.
 Having high blood pressure. Non-check.
 Having a family history of kidney cancer. Non-check.
 Smoking doubles the risk. Non-check.
 Being overweight or obese doubles the risk. Non-check.
 Exposure to certain substances at the workplace such as trichloroethylene.

Ah, the light comes on.

Trichloroethylene (or TCE) is a colorless, synthetic solvent found in certain consumer products including adhesives and wood finishes and stains. While it can contaminate air, soil and groundwater, I think it’s safe to say, my association with TCE came in the form of the finishes I used in my woodworking business over the past 35 years. No matter how careful one can be using safety equipment--masks, respirators, and proper ventilation--30-plus years of association has to take its toll.

My surgeon tells me that tumor may have been growing for several years, meaning it took almost 30 years to manifest within me. Of course, this is all conjecture on my part.

I believe TCE to be the source of my cancer. Yet, I wouldn’t have changed my vocation for anything. I literally had the best job … ever! I did what I enjoyed, and I was very good at it.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.