On 11/26/2007
Larue6 wrote:
On 11/21/2007
elikapeka wrote:
Hi, does anyone have information or experience with this? My husband was diagnosed 7/31/07. He is white, 60 years old, ex-smoker, classic profile. We have completed 2 of 4 chemotherapy treatments with cisplatin/gemzar. The urologist removed 6.5 ounces of the tumor to alleviate the blockage from the bladder to the uretha in August. The right kidney is still blocked and a nephrostemy tube empties urine from that organ. The bladder will be removed after the 4th chemo. The diagnosis is "invasive and aggressive" and the staging will be established after after the chemo is completed.
Any information or resources would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, I just read your message. Sorry to hear your husband found out so late about his condition. I have bladder cancer. I have two kinds and one had high grade cells and the other one had low grade cells.I found out June 7, 2007., while my husband was in rehab from his cancer surgery.I had great fortune to find a good doctor at Shanes in Gainesville Florida. He saw me and did surgery the next day. My bladder was full of cancer but it had a small base and hadn't invaded the muscle wall yet. Dr Algood cut it all out and I have been taking BCG treatments since. I am on my my second set of BCG and it has really bothered me with side effects. He said not many people can handle this treatment plan for 6 years. Looks like I will be one of them. He is lowering my dose on Wednesday to see if I do better with it.I don't know what the future will bring but I feel like one of the lucky ones to find out early. I had blood in my urine and had it tested and was referred to an urologist. It is really scary to have cancer, I feel like my life may be over and then maybe not. The unknown is very depressing.
I sure hope things go well for you. I understand the caregiver part because I am my husbands caregiver. He had his left pelvis removed with bone cancer and we are dealing with that. Some days I feel like, where is my care giver. I will pray for your husband and family. Best of luck
It's a relief to connect with someone else in this cancer life. Thank you for writing. Are you two able to care for yourselves and for each other? Did you loose your bladder or do you still have it? Do any alternative treatments help with the bcg side effects, like acupuncture? I don't know anything about bcg. This is a freaky time because he was so sick for months, started chemo, and after the 2nd treatment he was doing so well that his oncologist let him travel across the country before the next chemo. I think we will learn a lot more when we meet with his new urologist in 3 weeks. The meeting will either be really good or not.
Are you alone in caregiving for your husband? Sorry to be asking so many questions. Prayers for you and your husband.