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Hello, you will have some challenging issues, but it will get much better. the faster you accept your new normal, the better it will be. I have tried most supplies from all the company. I alternate between two companies. At night I connect to my overnight bag and I sleep till 6 AM. I was fortunate, my wife has a nursing background and she helped me so much. I have an incisional hernia. 26 May 2014 was my surgery day. If you have any questions please ask I will be glad to help. Of course, everybody is different. Life is good and I have 2 scans a year. All is fine.
My cancer was high grade, stage 3 and muscle invasive. Bladder, prostate and 21 lymph nodes were removed.
I could not agree more with Tom. The diversion is a personal choice and requires some time and research to make the decision. When my bladder was removed 3 years ago I was 72 years old, and not a surfer or a centerfold model. My days of wine and roses were pretty well ovee!. I elected the exterior pouch. The age is a very important factor when you make the choice. My Urologist/surgeon left it to me of course he answered my questions. You might think of getting a second opinion. My cancer was high grade and stage 3 muscle invasive, it had gone through the wall if the bladder to the prostate and lymph nodes. I am very lucky to be Alive and well and the cancer is gone. I am a volunteer and I talk to patients coast to coast about my own experience. Best of luck to your Dad
I read your post a few times, my initial reaction is: NOT SO FAST WITH BLADDER REMOVAL. Did they tell you stage?. My cancer was high grade, stage 3 and muscle invasive including lymph nodes and the prostate. I took 2 weeks to decide neo or Illeal conduit. I was 72 years old and I chose Illeal conduit. I do not regret my choice. I sleep 7 hours every night using my overnight bag and I am used to my external bag. It is a personal decision. Getting a second opinion might be wise. Cheers and best of luck
My bladder cancer was stage 3 high grade and muscle invasive. Fortunately it did not reach the bones. Bladder, prostate and 21 lymph nodes were removed. 4 months of chemo before surgery. Surgery took 5 hours and 20 minutes. 6 days in hospital and 5 weeks recovery. 5 weeks of radiation. After 2 weeks of research, I chose the Illial conduit (external pouch).
I was 72 years old, I am retired and I do everything I did before. I connect to the overnight bag and I sleep 7 hours. I drink lots of water. I am happy with my choice. The neo bladder people I know have issues etc… . I suppose it might have been different choice if I would have been younger. I learned to live with the new normal. while it is a life saving surgery, they have excellent success. My bag is on the right lower abdomen. best of luck to your dad.
Derek, bladder preservation is certainly worthwhile. It is recommended by oncologists/Uro surgeons. of course, the stage and the grade are factors. In my case it was impossible the bladder cancer was advanced and attacking the lymph nodes and the prostate. There was no other choice but to remove bladder lymph nodes and the prostate. Stage 3 high grade, very aggressive. Best of luck.
Hello, do your research, ask lots of questions. Neobladder, Ileal conduit (External bag) Indiana pouch. There are pros and cons for the 3 of them. in my case a 72 year old male from Ottawa area, I chose Illeal conduit. a 5 hours and 20 minutes surgery, Neobladder takes longer. I took 4 months of chemo prior to surgery and 5 weeks of radiation post surgery. My cancer was stage 3 and muscle invasive and aggressive. Bladder, prostate and 21 lymph nodes were removed. That was 26 May 2014. It took a considerable amount of time to get used to the external bag. I have a surgical hernia. I am still alive and well all SCANS are negative for tumors. So far so good, I am positive, life is good, Best of luck
very rare indeed, make sure you ask lot of questions. I had my bladder removed, normally it would go to the wall of the bladder and the prostate etc….best of luck.
2015 total was $3,335.00, it is costly. I had a bleeding wound next to the stoma, changed the bag frequently. I also have a surgical hernia causing more expenses.Of course, the grant, Sun Life and the taxman help.
welcome, I know how you feel, I had a quad by pass and my bladder removed. It sounds that your cancer was caught early, it is treatable. Ask lots of questions and get all the reports. Best of luck
Hello and welcome, when I was diagnosed in 2014 there were discussions with Oncoligists (Chemo and radiation) about the possibility of trying to save my bladder. The urologist/surgeon did not quite agree. I made the final decision. My cancer was high grade stage 3 and muscle invasive and agressive. While aggressive chemo and radiation would have shrunk tumors but cancer can move fast and it could have been risky. Gordon had many words of wisdom. I am in my 3rd year post surgery while not cancer free all the surveillance SCANS did not show any tumors. It will be 5 years before I am declared dancer free. This is the Ottawa cancer Centre protocol.
Best of luck
Welcome, bladder cancer is treatable, I understand your reaction. You will experience many emotions, I felt the very same 2 years ago. In my case, no symptoms, I felt great, when visiting my inlaws in the Niagara region, I started to bleed big time, four days non-stop, spent all that time at the emergency NHS. I returned to Ottawa, had a cysto, a TURBT. Pathology report:: HIGH GRADE, Stage 3, muscle invasive (On the wall of the bladder) very agressive. I will never forget that feeling. Many people told me to think positive, it is treatable etc.. most did not have any ideas or knowledge of bladder cancer.
No time to waste, I agreed to the plan. 4 months of agressive chemo, followed by bladder, prostate, seminal vesicles and 26 lymph nodes removed. A 5 hours and 20 minutes surgery, 7 days in hospital, 8 weeks of recovery. Illegal conduit was my choice (External bag), I was 72 years old.
Now I am beginning my third year, 3 SURVEILLANCE SCANS A YEAR INCLUDING ONE YESTERDAY. While I have not been told that I am cancer free, previous scans did not show any mass or tumors. I will be glad to answer any questions. Welcome again, it is treatable. Sam
Hello!, I received your private nessage, you are welcome. I had some difficulties at replying for some reasons. Now that I finally reached the rebuilding phase of the emotions roller coaster, I do not mind at all sharing my experience, for me, it was quite a journey. However, right from the start, I repeated the following many times a day:ACCEPT WHAT IS, FORGET WHAT WAS AND PLAN FOR TOMORROW. It worked for me.
After 2 years I am used to the new normal. I had 2 choices between a body bag or an IC bag. I sleep well and connect to the overnight bag. I must admit, it takes time but what are the choices?. I am ex-military 33 years retired, I don’t have to worry about work. I am a grandfather and I enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest. Please keep in touch. I will learn to a reply to private message. Sam
Hello and welcome. Did they tell you the stage? is your bladder cancer muscle invasive? make sure you ask questions and a second opinion. Bladder cancer is treatable if caught on time. Are you going to take chemo prior to surgery?. So many answers required. Not so fast with the bladder removal.
Mine was not caught on time I had no choice, I took 4 months of chemo prior to surgery. cancer was through the wall of the bladder, attacked the lymph nodes and the prostate. High grade stage 3 muscle invasive etc… .
The bladder, prostate and 21lymph nodes were removed. I elected the external bag.
Again take your time and ask questions. Welcome again. this is the right site for you keep in touch and best of luck. Sam
