Man’s Double Vision Leads to Stage IV Kidney Cancer Diagnosis and Ongoing Treatment

Joe Gillette noticed double vision in one eye while driving on a highway that had widened from three to four lanes. He attributed the symptom to a recent COVID-19 infection and scheduled a medical appointment. His physician referred him to an eye specialist and recommended a brain scan.

The specialist diagnosed nerve damage in the right eye, yet Gillette proceeded with the scan on his 57th birthday. Hours later, a patient portal notification listed tumors in the kidney, lung, brain and stomach. Further imaging revealed additional tumors in the bones, lymph nodes, lungs and pancreas.

A biopsy established that all lesions were metastases from the kidney, confirming Stage IV disease. Gillette had experienced no prior symptoms. Dr. Martin Voss at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center began immunotherapy, followed by radiation and brain surgery.

Gillette spent 10 weeks in a medically induced coma after the operation. He awoke disoriented and required physical and occupational therapy before additional radiation. Two years of immunotherapy followed.

In April 2024 he underwent surgery to remove the primary kidney tumor and left the hospital three days later. He now takes daily oral immunotherapy, attends appointments every six to eight weeks, and undergoes regular MRIs and endoscopies. Voss noted that targeted interventions have kept new growths in check.

Gillette continues to volunteer with the American Cancer Society and focuses on family events.