Like most people, I was not prepared for a cancer diagnosis. Since my immediate family has no history of cancer and I don’t smoke or drink, I didn’t think I was at risk for cancer. 

First step: major surgery

Regardless, there it was on the CT scan: a 3-pound, football-shaped tumor on my left kidney. I listened as the doctor showed me where the cancer had metastasized to my spine in two places, as well as to multiple...