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I’ve been wondering what are the most valuable insights or lessons each of us has appreciated since being told we have baldder cancer.
For example, some might say (as I would):
*not to take life for granted
*life is not about things, it is about people
*don’t wait to do things you really want to doWhat about you. What is your “ah-ha” moment or your valuable lesson from all of this?
Greg
Good topic, Greg. I have a few to add:
– take your health seriously
– don’t let fear keep you from seeking answers
– don’t let ignorance allow anyone else to go undiagnosed…tell everyone you know about the early signs of bladder cancer
– tell your family you love them EVERY dayWell the biggest insight I had was that so few including myself had ever heard of bladder cancer.
The pleasure and enjoyment of sharing and assisting.
Being pro-active and helping others do the same.
Meeting fellow survivors and now being life long friends.
How important my family is to me.
So many more, I could write a book.
JackMy insight in addition to those already mentioned is that people eally do take their health for granted and often abuse their bodies and then wonder why they end up in trouble. Now that I have recovered I treasure my health and well being more than ever and realie how a serious health crisis can change every part of your life.
I felt I needed to maintain a medical history once discovering that bladder cancer would most likely be a long journey. While pulling together my information, I stumbled across a medical journal on the side effects of cyclophosphamide – a drug I was prescribed when treated for Kidney disease (Membranous Glomerulonephritis) 15 years ago. The insight for me is to periodically research medications you have been prescribed in your past and see if there is new information. This would have signalled me to talk with my GP when my symptoms started and request an appointment with a Urologist or Nephrologist. Cyclophosphamide has several side effects, including bladder cancer that may not show itself for 15-17 years. Many of us have beeen treated with Mitomycin C after TURBT. I will be following the side effects into the future – “just in case”.
Dawn, you have made me wonder about my own drug history. As a child I had 3 surgeries to correct congenital urological birth defects consisting of a narrow urethra, narrow and twisted left ureter and the removal of kidney stones caused by same. I had to take two meds (adult – no pediatric version available then) for 10 years post surgery but have no idea what they were. I tried to find out my hospital records at the hospital some years ago but they claim that they don’t have me on file even though they say that their records go back before I was there in 1965. I was in Chedoke Hospital in Hamilton Ontario so if anyone out there has insight into how I might find out or whom to contact I would appreciate it.
Just how unimportant things like a bad hair day is.
And how I was so fortunate to have a caring, excellent doctor.How I found out who really cared about me in my family and friends. It was sad in a way, but glad to know who will be there for me and me for them.
Plus I found out I took things pretty darned good considering 🙂
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