Calendar for April 2022 – who is up for Surgeries, Treatments and Tests?

[marysue]

Hi Everyone:

Spring is coming….we hope.  It has been teasing us here in Calgary with periods of warmer weather but still some brief shots of snow flurries and temperature dips.  I’ve seen geese flying north and the birds around here are starting to twitter more and sound like they are getting interested in pairing up.  Still no sign of the robins which for me is the true harbinger of spring.  It is a bit early for them yet.  Most years they appear early to mid April.  Some years they have shown up in mid March but usually pay a heavy price for it as our spring weather is often anything but spring like.

Covid restrictions have been mostly lifted in Alberta and have been or are planned for in many other parts of Canada.  Let us hope that this spring and summer will prove to be better than last year and we finally say good-bye to covid.  This all being said, some uncertainty still exists and this is even more so for our brothers and sisters fighting bladder cancer.  Hopefully the pandemic does finally recede making it one less stressful thing for people dealing with bladder cancer to be concerned about.  My best wishes to all dealing with “stuff” this month.  Positive thoughts and prayers coming your way.  ((((HUGS))))

[Melody]

Hi all,

My cytology report showed suspicious for high grade uritherial carcinoma, after recommended urine test when a saw some blood in my urine first in the morning about 2 months ago. Have not seen it since. Went thru abdominal ultrasound with no adverse findings reported. Went to emergency at big hospital March 23 on my physicians advise (again no symptoms at the time). They sent me home after blood & urine test and referred me to the hospital urology department. I then had a Cystoscopy at the hospital on March 19,  Diagnosed with bladder cancer, possibly early stages; and was scheduled for a TURBT surgery for April 27. Went to hospital and registered  at 11am for the surgery scheduled for 1.50 pm. Nurse took me in for Preop preparation, gowned me up, did blood work, inserted IV needle in preparation for the surgery, surgeon quickly passed by ti check everything OK; I then waited and waited for my turn to be wheeled up for my turn for surgery.

Guess what? Around 2pm, the surgeon came back and notified my surgery is canceled and asked me to dress up and see him in his office down the aisle.

His secretary then gave me a new surgery date for 3 weeks later!  (May 18)

What a letdown. Me and family were mentally prepared for it be be over and progress for next steps post surgery. Now we have to go thru this all over again.

My concern is; what might be happening to my bladder condition during these 3 weeks?

Did anyone have a similar experience to share.
Thank you

 

[marysue]

Hi Melody:

I hope that you were given a good reason for your surgery being cancelled at the last minute like that.  I won’t post here what I would have said if I was in your situation. It’s not fit for print.

As to what might happen to your bladder with the extra 3 week wait, I think that is a question for your doctor to answer.  However, I will say this – I’m not a doctor but my opinion is that they must have thought that you could wait the extra time without any due concern otherwise I think they would have found a way to go through with the surgery.

Just to give you something for comparison – when I had my first cystoscopy exam in July 2008, 3 tumours were found.  When my urologist told me that I’d have to come back for surgery I asked about the wait time because wait times in Calgary then as now are notoriously long.  He told me I could wait the “usual time”.  When I asked what that was he said I’d have surgery “sometime in the fall.”  Naturally, I freaked out thinking what was going to happen in the meantime until I got to surgery.  By the time I got to my surgery at the beginning of September  (8 week wait time despite being on his “urgent” list) 6 tumours were found so I did progress a little but thankfully the tumours were very shallow since they were just starting.  What would have helped back then was an explanation from him why he thought it was safe enough for me to wait that long.

Anyhow, I’m sorry that you have had to go through all that.  It is scary and frustrating to be sure.  Best of luck for May 18th.  Please keep us posted and don’t hesitate to ask questions.   (((HUGS)))

[Nightingale]

Hi Melody,

I agree with MarySue.  You should follow up with your Urologist and ask the tough questions of them.  Why was it cancelled and what are the implications?

I know what its like to be surprised that one cannot think to ask the questions at the time, but now that you’ve had the time to reflect, I would make a list and ask.  Have you checked with your family doctor to see if he/she have any information?  Also, as indicated by MarySue, they must have felt you were not an urgent case, so hence the postponement…regardless, they should provide an explanation.

My best,

 

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