Jo’s Story

I’m a 63-year-old woman who has been regularly monitored by my cardiologist for valve regurgitation. In November 2024, a routine echocardiogram led to a CT scan that unexpectedly revealed something far more serious… a mass on my left kidney. Up to that point, I had no symptoms, no warning signs… nothing to suggest I had cancer. It was a complete shock.

Within an hour of my MRI in December, my primary care physician called with a diagnosis: kidney cancer. It was overwhelming news to process, especially right before the holidays. The first call I made, before I even told my family, was to ConnectCare3, a nurse navigation/patient advocacy service offered through my employer. That call changed everything.

I was promptly connected with a knowledgeable and compassionate nurse navigator. She listened, reassured me, and got to work researching top specialists with expertise in kidney cancer. She sent me educational resources to help me understand my diagnosis and treatment options. More importantly, she presented me with care options that were not only covered more generously by my insurance but were located at Comprehensive Cancer Centers recognized by the National Cancer Institute. These are institutions that contribute to the NCCN Guidelines for cancer care, and I knew I would be in excellent hands.

While my PCP had initially referred me to a local urologist, I ultimately scheduled an appointment in early January with one of the fellowship-trained urologic oncologists suggested by my ConnectCare3 nurse navigator. She even helped prepare questions for the visit and participated in the appointment via video, later providing a thorough written summary for my records. My husband and I were incredibly impressed by the surgeon’s knowledge and care, and I scheduled surgery for January 29.

The surgery was successful. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and my surgeon was able to remove all the cancer along with just one-fifth of my kidney. Thankfully, it had not spread to my renal vein. My recovery was smooth and relatively painless.

I am incredibly grateful to my surgeon, to my care team, and especially to my ConnectCare3 nurse navigator. Her support was instrumental in connecting me with a top-tier specialist and empowered me to make informed, confident decisions during a frightening time.

Being told I had cancer was not the Christmas gift I expected. But catching it early… that was a gift. And I truly believe ConnectCare3 played a major role in making that possible.