[G and M]

Melinda

Sorry to hear about the results of your biopsy. Although not the best result, it’s not the end of the battle. I have heard of patients that have responded well to their treatment plan at this stage, and continue on for years.

I’m not sure where you are being treated, but you may want to look into getting a second opinion at a major center? It may ease your mind to have your file and results reviewed by a different set of specialists. Also there are several bladder cancer clinical trials going on throughout Canada you may want to look into, ask your doctor, the urology department at your hospital, or the people from Bladder Cancer Canada for further information on this.

My cancer also returned last year, I’m currently being treated with the standard primary Gem/Cis chemo treatment, which I am responding well to, but once these chemicals stop working, then they recommend secondary treatments as seen with the clinical trials. I’m lucky that I don’t have any pain, so I don’t require radiation for now. My doctor has already mentioned clinical trials to me, I think he is trying to prepare me for the not too distant future…..

As always, Greg offers up some great advise and encouragement. Treasure your time with your loved ones, close family and friends and find as much enjoyment out of each day as possible.

Glenn

[G and M]

Melinda

It’s OK to be scared, but don’t let it overtake you. I’m in a similar situation, scared, later stage BC, dealing with nausea, chemo and all that goes a long with that. You have your faith and the love of your family. No one knows when they will leave this earth, you could be around for a very long time yet!!! I sure hope to be.

I find it helpful talking things over with my spouse, close family members and friends. Hope you get some good results from your PET Scan. Stay positive!

My thoughts and prayers are also with you.

Glenn

[G and M]

ADL

I hope all went well today with your dad’s surgery! I wish your dad, yourself and the rest of your family all the best throughout his recovery.

Glenn

[G and M]

Beans,

Getting old is not for sissies for sure, same with getting bladder cancer! Welcome to this site, but sorry to hear about your current condition. You might want to ask your doctor for the pathology report (from your last operation), that way you would have the type, stage and grade of your cancer in writing handy for future reference. Also, I’m not sure where your urologist or specialists are located, but you may want to seek out a second opinion at a major urology cancer center. This cancer has a way of keep coming back and from the information I’ve read, BCG treatments alone may or may not work when the cancer is high grade, best to speak to your specialists about this.

Best of luck with your future treatments and keep us posted.

Glenn

[G and M]

Colleen and Paul

Its great to hear Paul is back at your condo and doing OK. It brings back lots of memories, doctor visits, home nurse care, healing, tubes being removed, short walks and waiting for the BM! Tell Paul to be patient, healing takes time, every week he’ll feel a little better until all of a sudden his new normal has arrived.

Continued success with recovery!

Glenn

[G and M]

Wisey-4

Welcome to this site. Sounds like you’re getting some good advice and being looked after well by your Doctor out there in Calgary. Bladder removal with diversion is the gold standard treatment once the cancer reaches the outer layer of the bladder. Both chemo and surgery are difficult, but manageable. It may take several months until surgery (if you end up going that route), but by reading your posts it sounds like you have a good attitude and support group going into this difficult period.

I wish you all the best with your prognosis and future treatments.

Regards

Glenn

[G and M]

Hi Colleen,

My best wishes to Paul and you on the 31st! It is a difficult surgery, but as said above take it one day at a time! Tell Paul not to be in a rush to eat for the first few days at least, take little steps often and move about when he can. He will be very weak, but strength will come back over time.

Also take a little time for yourself each day, caregivers rock!

Glenn

[G and M]

Hi, I wish your brother all the best with his bladder cancer journey. Some good advice above. As for the BCG treatments, I would think it best to be on the safe side, and keep the baby at a distance until the chemicals have pasted through his system. I know with chemo treatment the nurses recommend separate bathrooms and a lot of keeping things clean and washed down. I suggest your brother and his wife ask their doctor at his next visit to confirm!

Glenn

[G and M]

Dave

Hello and welcome to this forum. It is great that you have been using this site to get better informed. I also found it helpful as well as talking to others that are going through this battle with BC.

I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery!

Glenn

[G and M]

Sophie’s Mom

Looks like you are going through a challenging time, take it one day at a time and stay positive!

Regarding your question about “how much to communicate to others”. If I understand your circumstances correctly, I believe your current prognosis is a bit unique because it’s still to be determined. I am sure your doctor will want to do further scans and tests to confirm if your cancer has metastasized or not! I am all for openness and keeping close family and friends updated, but I suggest you may want to wait until your final prognosis is in (which I am sure will be in the very near future), before saying your cancer has metastasized and any possible results thereof, just my thoughts, hope it helps.

I wish you the best of luck in the days and weeks ahead.

Glenn

[G and M]

Rock

Welcome to this forum. Sounds like you have been through a lot, already completed RC surgery and on your way to recovery, and still maintain a positive attitude! Good for you.

Wish you all the best with your current treatment and hope you get an “all clear” on future scans.

Regards,

Glenn

[G and M]

Back on chemo treatment (C/G)

PS: Had a brain scan done earlier this month. The CT image only showed a hamster running on a wheel?

Good luck to all others having treatments this month.

Glenn

[G and M]

Lisa & Gord

The doctor’s and nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton are great, so he’ll be in very good hands. This type of surgery usually takes between 4 ½ to 6 ½ hours. The nurses will have you stay in a very comfortable waiting room. There is a Tim Hortons and a few other small shops located on the main level and a hospital cafeteria I believe on the second floor that could help pass the time while you wait. Definitely try to have someone with you for support, a few family members and or friends would be great. The Doctor will come to see you once the surgery is finished.

Here are a few other tips to help Gord’s stay in hospital after surgery. He’ll probably be on the 7th floor, the urology ward:

•Bring him a few magazines, books, newspapers, deck of cards, etc to help pass the time
•Bring some gum, candies or mints
•Of course you’ll have a bathroom kit, but include a small comb and mirror to use bedside
•Bring a sweater and cap in case it gets cold in the room
•You can plug in your cell phone to recharge in the room, so bring the charger
•There is a small kitchen on the ward that has drinks and cookies I believe, stock him up on a few drinks for the night time
•The nurses usually will let you arrive earlier or stay later than regular visiting times, so don’t be in a rush to leave
•There are two people in each room on the urology ward, so speak up and say hello to your neighbor. They were always friendly when I stayed there.

Hope this helps. Wishing you guys the best of luck!

Regards

Glenn

[G and M]

Hello SiBotak

Having chemo treatment is a serious undertaking. Make sure your husband is well informed, I suggest both of you do your research on the internet and ask his doctor lots of question. Not just his specialist for bladder cancer, but ask to speak with the chemo doctor as well. You’ll want to know the name of the chemo drugs, possible side effects and complication to expect, not just when he is taking the chemo, but later on as well. My chemo centre held an information class just prior to starting treatment, which I found very informative.

There are different chemo regiments, your husband’s doctors should make their recommendation of which chemo regiment is right for him prior to treatment. Mine was called “MVAC” which is a combination of several dugs given Intravenously in four cycles, every two weeks over a two month period. After each cycle I would have a home nurse come and receive fluids by IV to hydrate and flush the system. The two weeks between each cycle is to give you time to recover. For example I felt ill the first week after treatment and somewhat better the second week. It had an accumulative effect on me, as the first two cycles I felt very ill and experienced several side effects, but the third and fourth cycle were even more difficult!

My understanding is that chemo treatment can affect each person differently, some seem to breeze through it and some people are effected greatly. I experienced several side effects such as, loss of appetite, weight loss, sensitive to light, metallic tastes, nausea and fatigue. More serious side effects can occur such as blood clots and nerve damage, again I suggest you review this with your doctors beforehand. I was able to continue working throughout my chemo treatment, it was difficult at times and I had to take a lot of breaks, but I hear that many people are able to work while on treatment.

Of course the reason to undergo treatment is to give yourself a better chance of the cancer not returning. It’s a very personal decision and both of you will want to consider all the pros and cons and give your husband the best opportunity to win his fight with BC!

Best of luck.

Glenn

[G and M]

Please accept my condolences, I’m sorry for your loss.

Glenn

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