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Hi everyone… A few months before, my mom went to the doctor with back pain and frequent urination problems. The doctor has given some antibiotics. But there was no change seen in her symptoms. But she got a relief from pain with the antibiotics. Later, she started to pass blood with urine. When we consulted the doctor, he said that it is due to her kidney problem. She has some kidney issues also. Some swellings were seen on her leg and we decided to see a urologist. He has done the cytology test and diagnosed that it is cancer. But it was too late to realize and she is now in the secondary stage. The disease spread to other parts and the doctor asked us to do surgery. We have sued a case against the first doctor for medical negligence via Campisi Law https://www.campisilaw.ca/ and the case is going on. I would like to know that, how can I care my mom during this secondary stage? What all homely treatments I should do to heal her? Does this surgery can save the life of my mom?
Hi Joel! Welcome to Bladder Cancer Canada but sorry that you and your mom have need of us. I have some questions:
Firstly, has she actually been diagnosed with bladder cancer or is it kidney cancer? Or is it issues with both organs?
Secondly, did she have a cystoscopy (scope exam) to view inside her bladder to see if there are any tumours that would indicate a possibility of bladder cancer? Or a CT scan to view her whole urinary tract?
Third, the surgery that the doctor is talking about is it a TURBT (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour) – scope surgery to remove the bladder tumours or is it actually a surgery to remove the bladder (Radical Cystectomy)? The former is a minor surgery to remove tumours for staging and grading the cancer. This is essential in determining the next step in treating bladder cancer. The pathology report will reveal the situation and that will give you both the necessary information to discuss the next steps with her doctors.
Surgery to remove the bladder is considered after the staging and grading usually at Stage 2 (cancer is penetrating the muscle wall of the bladder) or higher. This surgery can be life saving if the cancer hasn’t progressed too far.
When you mention that the cancer has “spread to other parts” do you mean other parts of the body or just invaded into the wall of the bladder? When a patient is being advised to consider bladder removal surgery, they are also sometimes advised to undergo a regime of chemotherapy usually before the surgery. The chemo is administered through an IV and can be a single or combination of drugs. This is recommended in some cases if the doctor suspects there is risk that the cancer may have gone beyond the bladder. In this case the understanding is that the chemo will hopefully eradicate any cancer that has gone beyond the bladder and removing the bladder itself gets rid of the cancer in that area. Whether this is appropriate for your mom, is something that obviously needs discussion with her doctors.
If she is facing kidney surgery, I recommend that you call The Kidney Foundation of Canada and see what they can do for support and answer any questions. Bladder Cancer Canada can assist you with anything related to actual bladder cancer.
If she is dealing with the possibility of a Radical Cystectomy (bladder removal) surgery, we have patient booklets that can be found under the information link and downloaded for free. Hard copies can also be obtained for free by contacting BCC through the toll free number.
You can also phone the toll free number, leave a message asking to speak to a Patient Volunteer that has had the surgery. If you need help with interpreting a pathology report or would like the name of an alternate doctor in your area you can ask to speak to Jack Moon, Bladder Cancer Canada’s past President and co-founder. He has contacts that aid us with these concerns.
If your mom does undergo the bladder removal surgery, she will be taught by hospital staff how to care for herself but it would be a good idea for you and any other family or friends learn the drill as well so you can help her. The main threat post op is infection.
She will need help making sure that she gets up and starts moving around as soon as possible and of course help with meal preparation. She will be advised of a correct diet from a hospital dietician. The main issue is to avoid constipation post op. The type of help she needs will depend on the type of surgery and if she has any other health issues that may complicate things. Hospitals do have staff to help set up home care visits to make sure that she is managing okay. You will have to have a conversation with them to find out what resources are available where you live.
If she does have the Radical Cystectomy (bladder removal surgery) it will be a lengthy recovery of several months. Her hospital stay may be a few days to a few weeks depending on how it goes and if there are any complications.
Your love and support will mean the world to her but you must remember to take care of yourself as well. This is a super stressful time, so time outs for you are essential. That is where setting up a care schedule with others will help so that you can be sure of blocking off time to still enjoy the things that you like to do and keep your stress levels down some.
I’ve given you quite a bit to think about and apologize if it is a bit heavy. Please, take time to do some deep breathing and stay in touch. All the best to you and mom. (((((BIGHUGS)))))
Hi Joel! Welcome to Bladder Cancer Canada but sorry that you and your mom have need of us. I have some questions:
Firstly, has she actually been diagnosed with bladder cancer or is it kidney cancer? Or is it issues with both organs?
Secondly, did she have a cystoscopy (scope exam) to view inside her bladder to see if there are any tumours that would indicate a possibility of bladder cancer? Or a CT scan to view her whole urinary tract?
Third, the surgery that the doctor is talking about is it a TURBT (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour) – scope surgery to remove the bladder tumours or is it actually a surgery to remove the bladder (Radical Cystectomy)? The former is a minor surgery to remove tumours for staging and grading the cancer. This is essential in determining the next step in treating bladder cancer. The pathology report will reveal the situation and that will give you both the necessary information to discuss the next steps with her doctors.
Surgery to remove the bladder is considered after the staging and grading usually at Stage 2 (cancer is penetrating the muscle wall of the bladder) or higher. This surgery can be life saving if the cancer hasn’t progressed too far.
When you mention that the cancer has “spread to other parts” do you mean other parts of the body or just invaded into the wall of the bladder? When a patient is being advised to consider bladder removal surgery, they are also sometimes advised to undergo a regime of chemotherapy usually before the surgery. The chemo is administered through an IV and can be a single or combination of drugs. This is recommended in some cases if the doctor suspects there is risk that the cancer may have gone beyond the bladder. In this case the understanding is that the chemo will hopefully eradicate any cancer that has gone beyond the bladder and removing the bladder itself gets rid of the cancer in that area. Whether this is appropriate for your mom, is something that obviously needs discussion with her doctors.
If she is facing kidney surgery, I recommend that you call The Kidney Foundation of Canada and see what they can do for support and answer any questions. Bladder Cancer Canada can assist you with anything related to actual bladder cancer.
If she is dealing with the possibility of a Radical Cystectomy (bladder removal) surgery, we have patient booklets that can be found under the information link and downloaded for free. Hard copies can also be obtained for free by contacting BCC through the toll free number.
You can also phone the toll free number, leave a message asking to speak to a Patient Volunteer that has had the surgery. If you need help with interpreting a pathology report or would like the name of an alternate doctor in your area you can ask to speak to Jack Moon, Bladder Cancer Canada’s past President and co-founder. He has contacts that aid us with these concerns.
If your mom does undergo the bladder removal surgery, she will be taught by hospital staff how to care for herself but it would be a good idea for you and any other family or friends learn the drill as well so you can help her. The main threat post op is infection.
She will need help making sure that she gets up and starts moving around as soon as possible and of course help with meal preparation. She will be advised of a correct diet from a hospital dietician. The main issue is to avoid constipation post op. The type of help she needs will depend on the type of surgery and if she has any other health issues that may complicate things. Hospitals do have staff to help set up home care visits to make sure that she is managing okay. You will have to have a conversation with them to find out what resources are available where you live.
If she does have the Radical Cystectomy (bladder removal surgery) it will be a lengthy recovery of several months. Her hospital stay may be a few days to a few weeks depending on how it goes and if there are any complications.
Your love and support will mean the world to her but you must remember to take care of yourself as well. This is a super stressful time, so time outs for you are essential. That is where setting up a care schedule with others will help so that you can be sure of blocking off time to still enjoy the things that you like to do and keep your stress levels down some.
I’ve given you quite a bit to think about and apologize if it is a bit heavy. Please, take time to do some deep breathing and stay in touch. All the best to you and mom. (((((BIGHUGS)))))
Very helpful information and thanks for your kind mind. She has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. One of her kidneys is almost in failed condition. The cystoscopy was done to find the possibility of bladder cancer as she is passing blood in urine. The doctor suggested removal of bladder and the cancer has now spread to other parts of the body.
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