Pathology result meeting tomorrow and I'm worried

[Jenni]

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer 3 weeks ago following a cystoscopy and 3 days later a TURBT…..and was told a large growth had been removed but it hadn’t spread to the lymph nodes. I am (or at least was) fit and healthy, careful about what I eat, never smoked, don’t drink,  have never been in contact with toxic materials. I thought I was safe, had never been in hospital other than having my children.  I had no symptoms other than having a slightly low Haemoglobin on my last blood tests and my vigilant family doctor decided it was high time I had  a complete check up, starting with scopes!!! I had a catheter after the cystoscopy which was a bit uncomfortable + a general anaesthetic for the TURBT and the catheter for 3 days but luckily, I had very little pain and recovered well after it. The most important thing is that the tumour was found!

Tomorrow, I have the big meeting with my urologist to discuss the pathology results and my treatment plan. I’m so worried…..but I now know to ask for a copy of my pathology results thanks to Bladder Cancer Canada. You have been invaluable to me as I’d so many questions, I have read and learned so thanks. I hope you don’t mind my joining your group?

Jenni

 

[Jack Moon]

Good luck with your meeting today with your Urologist, let us know you stage and grade and if a treatment plan is required.
All the best,
Jack

[Jenni]

Thankyou Jack. The urologist didn’t have the pathology report nor had the multidisciplinary team met yet to discuss my case. He discussed what he had found during my TURBT …..a large mass that was muscle invasive. He had removed most of it but wants to do a second TURBT to have another look.

He discussed current treatment for MIBC…..total bladder removal but didn’t know if I’d be a suitable candidate for it due to my having a heart condition I was born with and forgotten about, has never been addressed +never been a cause for concern up until now.

So I’m pretty much in the dark until I get the pathology report.

[marysue]

Hi Jenni:

Welcome to Bladder Cancer Canada but sorry that you have need of us.  It seems that we bladder cancer patients/survivors do a lot of waiting during this journey; waiting for appointments, tests, surgery, treatments – dates, results, wanting to know the next step you name it.  I found “waiting in the dark” the most stressful especially at the beginning when I was first diagnosed.  After you know the stage and grade and the treatment plan it does feel a bit better but takes time to wrap your head around the actual fact that yes you do have cancer and yes life as you knew it is going to change and may have some big changes in store.

It can be frustrating to learn that you have the big “C” even after making all the right choices about diet, exercise, other lifestyle choices etc.  Some of us can attribute what caused the cancer that we have but some people never know the answer.  That is another thing that is important to work through and get to a place of acceptance.  If there was ever a time for that Serenity prayer this is it.

The fact that you have a heart condition that may or may not play into the decisions made for your treatment makes it a little more challenging.  I hope that your medical team gets to meet real soon and you will know what is to happen and if you have any options.  Hang in there and let us know how it goes.  ((((HUGS))))

[Jenni]

Thank you for your message Marysue….and your hugs.

I now know that I have T2G3 muscle invasive bladder cancer and the treatment is to be a complete TURBT followed by Radical Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. I’ve been reading up on all of this and getting to know the language of bladder cancer +its treatment…..and appreciate all that I’ve learned from Bladder Cancer Canada and Derek’s detailed account of his journey and successful outcome to date.

I like to have sort sort of understanding of what’s ahead. I read that 1 in 3 people get cancer here so I must be one of the ‘chosen’ I’ve accepted that I am now a cancer patient but haven’t told my brothers, extended family or friends yet. I don’t want to upset them or ruin Christmas for everyone. Only my kids know. They are relieved that the tumour was found as I hardly ever go to the doctor and only that I’d hurt my back lifting something heavy in the garden, it wouldn’t have been found!!

Hope everyone is keeping well

Jenni

 

[Nightingale]

Hello Jenni,

Thank you for sharing your story!  As you have learned much from Derek’s detailed account; others will learn lot’s from you.  Please keep us appraised of your journey.  It will be very much appreciated.

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2019!

My best to you Jenni.

Forum Moderator

[Jenni]

Many Happy Returns to you Nightingale.

Thank you and yes, I will write an account of my treatment and hopefully, others will benefit from it. I live in Ireland and my TURBT is on Jan 9th so am going to forget about it and enjoy Christmas & New Year.

Jenni

[marysue]

Hi Jenni:

Just want to let you know that I’m wishing you the best and yes you have the right attitude – leave it be for a bit and enjoy Christmas.  I was in the middle of waiting for TURBT surgery in the summer of 2008 and my darling hubby took a few days off work and whisked me off to British Columbia for a few days of fun in the sun just to get my mind off it.  It really did help.  It is important to do normal things during an impossibly abnormal time.  Keep us posted. ((((HUGS))))

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