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Rick B.
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August 29, 2014 at 7:34 pm #8116
MikeinEdmonton
ParticipantHello everyone, first time post here for me.
Well it all started for me a year ago, I was noticing a little dribble of red after going to the washroom. So I go to the doctor, and thinking it was a bladder infection or something. I get the ultrasound done and a CT scan, then my doctor sends me to a uroloigist.
I get schedulded for a scope. I couldnt sleep for three days before the procedure, just the thought of the procedure made me anxious.
I go to the hospital and get the scope done, under just a local so I am awake. The doctor looks up at me while I am in the stirups and says to me, “yes its cancer”. Well I dont know what to think, why me?I go home and of course am upset with what I just heard, I lost my dad two years previously to cancer and my uncle three months after that. My family’s history with cancer is not good, all my family have had some type of cancer over the years.
But I am only 48, non smoker, non drinker, a little high blood pressure but otherwise healthly. The doctor says the casue of BC may be different things, including working with chemicals and hydrocarbons. I am ex – army so thats the only thing I can think of that would have been a possible cause.
So I get my surgery date, and go in for my TURBT. I had two small tumors removed. The days after the surgery were not bad, the catheter was uncomforatble but bearable. Three days later the catheter comes out finally. Then about two weeks after the clots start to come out, not fun. Pretty scary experience, seeing that in the toliet bowl. But after four weeks I start feeling better.
I go for my BCG treatment, I am sitting in the waiting room with others who are at least 20 years my senior. I am thinking “why me” I really feel bad for these elder folks, I hate going through this (I am not a good catheter patient, too tense) and think how can they handle it? Six weeks of BCG treatment go by, the side affects were really not too bad for me, the last two weeks I feel a little sick, and very tired in the afternoon, I am lucky as my employer has good sick leave so I am off work for a while.
I finish my BCG and go for a follow up scope, the doctor says all looks good and no new growth.
I go for another scope after three months, again good news, no new growth.
I have another surgery for a tumor in my chest, they have not done a biopsy yet, they want to take the entire tumor out. Not really looking forward to it but it has to get done.
Before all this the longest I ever spent in a hospital was visting friends or family, now I am an expert patient.
My advise to anyone who is going though this is, just think positive. I know I will probably die one day, but to live each day to its fullest. The research in BC has grown over the years and new research and findings are always happening. I still think “why me” but I cant dwell on that, I am still alaive and kicking and plan on staying that way.
September 3, 2014 at 1:39 am #18042metalman
ParticipantMike, I just read your post. Sounds like you are doing alright. Keep keeping on.
September 4, 2014 at 7:49 pm #18049millize
ParticipantHi Mike we are all here because of cancer, it is our common thread.Yet our jounerys my be quite different.I too have had my bladder/prostate removed.life moves on with all its uncertainty.My thoughts and prayers are with you !!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 4, 2014 at 8:44 pm #18050EddieM
ParticipantHi Mike,
Just as you said, I was never in a hospital other than to visit a friends new baby, a broken foot, hand and/or ego after a sports event. About 6 months prior to my 40th birthday I too saw little dribbles of red and had a mild sting with visiting the cabana. My GP has me take three rounds of antibiotics thinking it was an infection. After the third round the doc suggested an ultrasound. That was followed by a CT scan and the all scary scope. That scope has be come a breeze since and its a party/dinner topic of friends “wow they do what” and “Well that’s nothing, Ed, tell them what you’ve had done”.
I have gone through a single TURBT and a single installation of Mytomycin C (chemo). So far I’m at 1 year recurrence free.
I recall a gentlemen asking me what I was seeing the urologist for, I told him “Bladder Cancer” and this distinguished much older chap turns an says “Ha, no but really, there is no way a 30 something year old has BC”. My lack of response drove the point home and he simply sank in his chair, took my hand and said “I’m sorry lad”. I replied with “I’m not, I get to gain your experience” 🙂
Ed
September 4, 2014 at 9:37 pm #18051Babs
ParticipantHi Mike from a fellow Edmonton area bladder cancer survivor. Sorry you have to be part of this “exclusive group” but know you are not alone. When I was first diagnosed over 2 years ago I found it so reassuring to hear from others who were living full active lives in spite of this diagnosis. While I don’t look forward to the cystos they have now become just minor inconveniences. The “all clears” brings peace of mind for months. Even the time there was something unusual on the cysto I was relieved it was caught early and something could be done quickly if necessary. The pros of early detection and treatment far outweigh the discomfort and indignity of the procedure. I don’t have to like them to appreciate their usefulness!
Earlier this year we formed a small committee of volunteers to organize a support group & raise awareness about this disease. The next support group will be held on Oct 28th @ 7:00 pm. We are also hosting the Awareness Walk on Sept 21st at Capilano Park. If you would like further info about any of these activities or to connect with a local area survivor please private message me.
Take care
BetteSeptember 5, 2014 at 4:51 pm #18052Rob T
ParticipantMike,
dropped you a message – I am a slightly younger than you, Air Force guy.
BCG #3 today.
Rob
September 5, 2014 at 11:45 pm #18055Val
ParticipantHi Mike,
Welcome to the group. Too bad we had to be impacted by bladder cancer to be here. This is the most supportive group I have known. We’ve all been thru something similar – never the same, but we all understand each other.
We have lots in common – Albertan, non-smoker, diagnosed young (I was 50). BCG wasn’t a big issue until my last few.
I had tumors removed twice in 2008 & 6 weeks of BCG. Tumor came back in 2010, got that tumor out, uro wanted to take bladder out too. I switched uros, new guy did 13 more BCG treatments – that seems to have done the trick because no more tumors and this is 4.5 years later!
We don’t know what triggers our cells to start building tumors. Lots of us never smoked (I never even lived with a smoker!), yet some smokers never get any cancer. Some of us ate well, some ate poorly (I switched from the poor to the well category after diagnosis.) I used to ask “why me?”, now I say “Why not me?” I can do something about this disease. I got healthy & act as an advocate for awareness & fund raising.
Take care of yourself, listen to your doctor, ask questions here.
September 6, 2014 at 12:06 am #18057Rob T
Participantummm, Valerie…
not to be controversial…. but….
you say listen to your doctor – and…. then when he said bladder removal…. you went looking for another doctor…..
sounds to me like the extra BCG should have been done in 08….
I am on number 3 of an expected 18 in the next year, so I look at your comments as promising.
Rob
September 6, 2014 at 3:05 pm #18063MikeinEdmonton
ParticipantThanks for all the messages everyone.
Take care.
Mike
September 7, 2014 at 10:09 pm #18076Val
ParticipantMike,
You are right, according to the protocol & the new uro, I should have had more than just 6 BCG treatments in 2008. Luckily, uro #2 put me back on BCG and the next 13 treatments got progressively tougher to handle. Numbers 17 & 19 were particularly bad.
Treatment 19 caused months of inflammation in my abdomen. But uro #2 said that was a good thing – maybe in his eyes, but I was the one in pain. Although I must say that since getting on the regular BCG protocol there have been no reoccurences.
As Jack says BCG = Bladder Cancer Gone!
September 21, 2014 at 7:07 am #18146pabblo
ParticipantHello all,
My first time on the site. Diagnosed in January, I had a resection in March. The surgeon wanted to do a total removal of bladder, prostate and lymph glands. Surgery date was set, I was resigned to a painful operation, then the doctor took a vacation. I have been on an intensive Vitamin C IV treatment since mid-June.
Also doing the restricted diet, mind work and Reiki.
Blood in urine comes and goes, mostly just a tinge of red. Last night I was thrilled to see no sign of blood on my test strip.
Today I am discouraged because the pee was a deep orange for most of the day, but tonight it has cleared.
I have an ultrasound Monday and a CT scan Wednesday, so will see what happens.
Planning to stay on the alternative course, and wondering if others have taken this route.September 21, 2014 at 12:37 pm #18147shelties
ParticipantHi there Pablo, I just want to welcome you to this friendly forum where people on here are very helpful with support and information. I can’t give you any information on your particular situation, but I’m sure someone on here will respond soon who can better relate. Sounds like you’re going through a lot though, and I hope things work out okay for you.
Take care and keep posting to let us know how you get along.
Lorraine
September 21, 2014 at 3:04 pm #18148millize
ParticipantHi Pabblo
You will find on this journey your plans may need tobe ajusted.You will need to listen to the counsel of your doctors and your guts and make the best decision you can for yourself.Reach for faith, believe in hope and know you are loved Prayers and thoughts are with youFebruary 26, 2015 at 8:01 pm #18638MikeinEdmonton
ParticipantI had my chest tumor removed, no cancer, just a benign lipoma tumor,but it turned out to be a large grapefruit sized mass in my upper right chest under my pectoral muscle. It was over 20 cm incision, but its all healed up now.
I had another scope done and the news is good, all clear. Its been over a year now since the operation.
Take care everyone
Mike
February 26, 2015 at 9:38 pm #18641millize
ParticipantHay Mike good news, be strong and keep on keepen on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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