34 year old newby in Seattle

Lynn,

So sorry that you have to be here but happy you have found this group. As you know until you get your pathology report you will not know what your treatment path will be. Let us cross our fingers that all shows non invasive, remember the size of the tumor does not mean it is invasive nor indicate grade. Also do not forget that statistics show that the vast majorities who have blc will do well.

As far as a catheter following TURB I had a total I think of ten of them and never had a catheter following one. But there was one where I had a lot of bleeding and life would have been easier if I had one. So if you wake up with one don’t worry it will be for the best and just short term.

We are seeing more and more young people with blc. We talk a bit about the fact and can not decide if it is because we are web based and will hear from a younger audience or if the statistics are changing. From talk with top specialists I am beginning to wonder if we are seeing a shift. We know in part that blc is an environmentally induced cancer could it be that the shift since WWII to more food additives and environmental pollution is now becoming apparent? The answer to that thought remains to be proven out and will take years of research.

You are doing the most important thing I think you can do in this situation. Becoming an informed medical consumer, know we are here for you and please let us know how you are doing.

Sodcat,

I agree with you over the spell check and the site will offer one in the future. Right now what I do is type my posts in my Microsoft word and then copy and paste.

Joe,

I understand you’re wanting Lynn to realize that this is a serious disease that bears watching and dealing with. Her being here and educating herself shows she is very aware of this. But please remember that everyone deals with the stress of this situation in their own way. I for one feel that a sense of humor is one of the greatest saving graces any of us can be blessed with. I read recently about a group of comedians in NYC that were doing stand up about having cancer. The following is part of something I wrote about humor and cancer.

"I have sat taking chemotherapy with a woman (ovarian cancer) who knew she would not see this Christmas with her children, and laughed until we cried about silly things. I have seen bald headed children laughing and playing as if the world was right toting their IV poles around the infusion unit. I have read things in chat rooms and list servers form other survivors that would hold no humor for others but make me smile because I know where they come from. I have found humor in things I would have been appalled at a year had a half ago. I have made jokes about glowing in the dark, being bald, bodily functions and a few things better left unmentioned. And in that humor I have found hope. The human spirit is stronger than the cancer. I really have no choice about what happens to me in the future. But I do have a choice how I handle it. Do I sit around and cry the rest of my life about what a rotten hand I have been given? Or do I find joy and laughter given the opportunity? I would think the answer would be obvious, what a waste to cry when you can laugh. And I think that is the most important part of the story."



Chin up and straight forward.

Cynthia