Bladder Cancer

In response to your concern re:overkill, my husband, age 50 had bladder cancer last year. With BCG treatments several times, his bladder has been clean. However on the original path report in 8/05 there was noted a slight vascular invasion, meaning there was the possiblity of it leaving his bladder. We thought we were "home free", told there was nothing to do but wait over time. Looking back, I wish they had offered something to make sure. Now the cancer has developed in his lymph nodes, and prognosis looks much worse than before. He starts chemo this week. I would encourage you to consider any methods you can to avoid it coming back. Best wishes to you!!

Hello how are you doing?
Sandi

Tim,

Please forgive me as I am very new to this type of communication.  My husband  is 56 and is diagnosed w/stage III bladder CA.. The neo bladder surgery is scheduled for June 19, 2007. I appreciate your approach and will temper it with my own  degree of faith.  As I came upon your message much later than you posted it I am very interested in hearing your feedback today.  We are very optimistic @ this point as it is contained in the bladder. I would welcome any info you might have to share.

 

Just wanted to reply since I had the same Dx at the same age.  I have a neo baddler and only experience infections once in a while.  I'd suggest having Cipro around so if he experience chills and back pain - an indicator of infection, he can start immeidately.

Make sure to find someone local with knowledge of neo bladders.  Most Urologist do not perform them and are limited in their knowledge.

Annual lower CT pelvic exam and bone scans are a must. 

I can void myself but after about I year I have turned to using a catheter.  Make sure to have him void often to avoid the neo bladder from expanding too large.

Take care . . by the way - I started chemo and did research half way through and decided to stop.  There isn't any definitive studies that prove chemo after the radical surgery does any good.