Husband newly diagnosed

Thanks everyone. The procedure went fine. They did an epidural block and sedation but he was out the whole time and remembers nothing, so that's good! They did find additional cancer in the bladder, I think she said a couple of small tumors plus she said the area in between looked "funny" so she biopsied and burned and removed, then they put the mitomycin in and it sat for an hour. We had to wait forever for the block to wear off, and after it did they removed the cath, he peed and we finally got home. It was a very, very long day. I've got a bad back so today we're both just trying to recover a little. He feels pretty good, but tired today. Not too much residual pain.

The doctor did say he may need to have 6 BCG treatments depending on the pathology. Meanwhile, I did speak with the doctor about a second opinion on the pathology. She, of course, is fine with it. She's confident with the path group used by the hospital-it's a group used around town as well. And of course, I can't remember the name of it! It's four letters. That's not very helpful! I'm going to try searching the web to find it.

I can't believe how much I can't remember! They tell me something, and then I think I got it but then can't remember it! Is that normal?

I can't add anything to the advice that the others have given you. I'll just add my well wishes for both of you. I think it is sometimes harder on the caregiver that on the patient. I encourage you and your husband to educate yourself on the disease. It really helps with the emotional rollercoaster ride that comes with the disease. Again, best wishes and welcome to our group. Chuck

If you take possesion of the pathology slides and take them with you to another hospital, make sure you get them back before leaving. I got a second opinion from Mayo in Minnesota. When we left there they said they would mail the slides back to us. We agreed and that was a big mistake. We needed the slides for another opinion in Chicago and Mayo never sent them! I called and they said they were mailed, but had no record of when! I had to call several more times and eventually we got them almost 3 weeks later! It would have been a real disaster if we had not got them back.
So its a good idea to keep the slides in your possesion until you choose the hospital and doctor that will do the operation.

KC

Nancy.....if you are with a uro who is in an office setting and not a university setting ask him what lab will be doing the pathology. You may contact one of the other major centers yourself for a second opinion and take the slides and written report with you. Sometimes the uro himself will decide to send them. Just ask. It just kind of depends on the doctor.
pat

So how do we get a second pathology opinion? Do we need to say anything tomorrow to the surgeon? Thanks.

PLEASE make certain your husband does not ever skip any of his appointments, etc....

I went 9 years with non-invasive and in January they discovered I now had aggressive bladder cancer... and it came to light in less than 3 months! I am so fortunate that I had the check up. I had become complacent and almost skipped out on my appointment. I will lose my bladder and prostate in 2 days but I will not lose my life and for this I am exceptionally grateful. Rick