To Have Surgery Or Not

Hello:

       My brother was recently told to have his bladder removed and his prostate.  I am the "natural" approach type of person.  I believe that you can correct the condition if you give your body what it needs to heal itself.

      I would never tell him not to have the surgery.  That is such a personal decision.  However, has anyone had a "positive" experience once they have had these organs removed?

I had a cystectomy in 2004 because of bladder cancer. They always remove the prostate also.

For me it was the right decission. My quality of life is excellent, I would say I am at 95-99%. The key is having it done by someone that is an expert at doing neobladders. If your brother qualifies for a neobladder, it is basically a recosntruction of a bladder from some of your intestines. You learn to control and urinate like before.

As long a the cancer ios within the bladder the prognosis is very good. I do not know the specifics of your brother's case, but if the Doctor believes that is the solution I would proceed but would first get a second opinion. There is treatment that sometimes works without the need to remove the bladder like BCG or mitomycin but sometimes if the type of cancer is agressive or has invaded or is close to invading the muscle wall of the bladder they recomend the removal.

If I can assist you in any way please let me know. If he has the surgery he will be weak for a few months but the result for me was very much well worth it. I thank G_D every day.

Luis

On 8/24/2007 healthnutbunny wrote:

Hello:

       My brother was recently told to have his bladder removed and his prostate.  I am the "natural" approach type of person.  I believe that you can correct the condition if you give your body what it needs to heal itself.

      I would never tell him not to have the surgery.  That is such a personal decision.  However, has anyone had a "positive" experience once they have had these organs removed?

  
 

     
 

There is never a positive side losing any organ unless it is an emergency. I beleive in natual myself. my husband was just told he had bladder cancer and it is in the muscle. he was given the same option. I have talked to people and searched on the internet. There is a product out there called Cantron.  www.cantron.com  you won't be sorry. then after about a month on cantron you have a P.E.T. Scan that will totally let you know if there is any cancer left. not stressing and having  positve thinking is great medison.God bless you. rosie

Hi,

  I too have had invasive bladder cancer and had to make this decision. It is hard no matter how you look at it. But what is really sad....is those who have waited too long and find it is too late to get bladder removed, that the cancer is spread and hospice is all that is left.

 Please be careful in trying to avoid cystectomy and urinary diversion - it can cost you your life in a hurry.

Best wishes, Holly