Calendar for October 2022 – Who is up for Surgeries, Treatments and Tests?

[marysue]

Hi Everyone:.

I’m posting this a little earlier than usual this month because life is about to get really busy for me in October.  It is starting to feel more and more like fall now with the shorter daylight hours and cooler mornings.  Bladder Cancer doesn’t give a hoot about the season and remains with us in the shadows.  For all those that have “stuff” this month, as always I send my positive thoughts and prayers to you.

I’m asking the same from others this month as well.  Last week at my cysto an early stage tumour was discovered so my 12 year clear run is over.  I’m scheduled for a TURBT plus Epirubicin on October 4th.  Since my urologist has other surgeries that day and I’m being squeezed in, October 19th is the backup date in case things go sideways for my uro with any other patient surgeries on the 4th.  Any other next steps will depend on the pathology results.  Here’s to hoping that I catch a lucky break and it is benign but I’m holding to my mother’s mantra of “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”   ((((HUGS))))

[Xandra]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hi Sue,
Just finished with the women’s support group, I heard about your TURBT.  I hope that everything goes/went  well, it’s the waiting now for pathology results.  That’s always the hardest part for me.
Sending you big hugs.
Mary</p>

Xandra

[Nightingale]

Hi Xandra,

Thanks for posting in the Forum and I’m very glad you had a good Support Group meeting.  They are very useful to ask questions and hear what others have gone through.  I replied to your other post about the Indian Pouch.  Let me know you want to talk with someone who actually has it and can share with you the pros and cons.

My best,

[Edwin Castle]

The anxiety kicks in every time.

marysue.   First let me say how upset I am hearing about your recurrence after 12 years. That is one rodeo none of us wants to go to.

I am coming up on my second 6 month cystoscopy check up Oct 20. So far every thing has gone well, I feel great, my only outstanding issue is every time I stand up after sitting for a while I get the urgency to urinate. If that is my only issue then I can handle it, no problem.

As I mentioned I am full of anxiety as my checkup approaches, I know that it is not unusual to feel this way as we all know the risk of the cancer coming back. I do start to get moody and withdrawn, nerves stomach, have trouble sleeping etc. Again the waiting is the hardest part.

I just want to remind everyone to be your own advocate, Ask those questions, make those phone calls, check those dates, and show everyone that you are on top of what is happening and what is supposed to happen next. All though I have personally had great care throughout the last 3 years, you need to remember that the medical system is broken so stay on top of things.

Thanks  Ted.

[Nightingale]

Thanks for sharing Ted.  wishing you all the best going forward.

My best,

[marysue]

Hi Ted:

I totally understand the anxiety pre-cysto exam.  Because I had such a long clear run I was less and less worried.  In fact the day of my cysto (September 8th) was the day that the Queen passed away and crazy or not I was more focused on that news pre-exam than any anxiety over what might be found.

While I was in the waiting room someone in the crowd announced that word had come out from Buckingham Palace that Queen Elizabeth had passed away and we were all digesting that news while waiting our turns.  I was still mulling it over as I watched my uro do my exam.  We didn’t see anything until he turned the scope to view the bottom of my bladder.  We both said “Uh oh!” at the same time and I also said a few four letter expletives.

I managed to hold my tears until I left the exam room.  Thankfully a friend who is also a survivor was with me and having her check right after me.  I really needed someone there right then.

And yes, Ted it is very important to learn to be your own advocate.  We know our bodies best.  Our medical people may be good at their jobs and be able to recommend the best of treatments etc.  but ultimately it is our decision to make when it comes to our own care.  Given all the misadventures I have had to date with this TURBT plus Epirubicin I will be having a good conversation with my uro when I talk to him next week.  Best Wishes for you going forward.  (((HUGS)))

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