Krissy Henstredge, 40, spent 10 years being told her chronic back pain was linked to her weight and existing health conditions. Despite living with IBS, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), and Bell's palsy, and suffering from a car accident in 2009 that caused ongoing hip pain, doctors repeatedly dismissed her symptoms. When she developed a stitch-like pain on her left side a few years ago, her GP suggested physiotherapy. An MRI of her hips showed nothing unusual, so she continued with exercises. However, the pain persisted. 'I went back to the GP, who suspected it was linked to my hip condition or weight,' Krissy told Metro. 'Even when I raised concerns that perhaps it could be something else, especially as my weight fluctuated, it never felt like anything deeper was being investigated. I think women get ignored a lot, especially if you're a little bit on the heavier side.'
Sudden excruciating pain leads to diagnosis
In August 2025, while working from home in Portsmouth, Krissy was struck by sudden, excruciating back pain. 'It was like nothing I'd felt before,' she said. Despite her mother urging her to call an ambulance, Krissy tried painkillers. It was only when she called her physio the following Monday that she realized she needed to go to hospital urgently. After hours in A&E, an MRI revealed two bulging discs in her spine and a mass on her kidney. A CT scan confirmed stage 3 Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, an aggressive form of kidney cancer. 'To be told over the phone was horrible,' Krissy said. 'It all felt so out of the blue. Nothing in my blood tests had shown anything, no one had suspected it.'
Surgery and immunotherapy
Krissy underwent urgent surgery to remove her kidney last September, followed by immunotherapy every six weeks since December 2025. 'I was told there is only a 5% chance it will help – but in my brain, that's better than zero,' she said. The treatment has caused side effects including breathlessness, joint pain, severe dryness in eyes and mouth, colitis, and liver inflammation. Recently, a blood clot in her arm forced her to postpone her final three treatments. 'My last one was supposed to be in September – it was an end goal. But these delays are just adding to the stress,' she explained.
Support network and looking forward
Krissy has a strong support network including her parents, brothers, and friends Kerry and Dan. 'I call them whenever I'm feeling down and have a good old cry or a chat,' she said. She is currently waiting for results from her three-month check-up scan to ensure she is cancer-free. Looking ahead, she hopes to enjoy a holiday in Greece once treatment is finished. 'It's been a whirlwind, but you have to keep looking at the positives,' she said. 'I love Greece. I want a nice red wine somewhere, sitting on a taverna. That would be perfect.'
Expert comment on kidney cancer misdiagnosis
Hazel Jackson, Healthcare Professional Lead Nurse at Kidney Cancer UK, said: 'Kidney cancer is often referred to as a “silent” disease because many of its early symptoms can easily be mistaken for more common conditions like musculoskeletal issues. As nurses, we frequently see cases in which symptoms are attributed to existing health problems, delaying further investigation. Krissy's experience is a powerful reminder that behind every symptom is a person who knows when something doesn't feel right. We need to keep listening, keep questioning, and make space for those instincts – because sometimes, that persistence is what leads to a life-saving diagnosis.'
