let\'s do this....

13 years 7 months ago #33254 by DadsRN2010
Replied by DadsRN2010 on topic let\'s do this....
the surgery is going to be done robotically using the "davinci" robot. hopefully it wont have to convert to an open procedure. it is quite interesting..recovery time is supposed to be less, minimal blood loss, less pain etc..but OR time can run close to 10 hours.
if there is lymph involvment, which at this time they dont think so, my dad will have to get the ileo conduit.

i really want to learn how people manage their new bladders, the little thing that help them..the stuff the surgeon wont know unless he had a neo as well!
i have been picking up things here n there as i look around on this site...my father isnt ready to come here yet so ill hopefully have lotsa good suggestions in the beginning.

hydration is key with managing neo right? do u eventually get that pressure/fullness feeling back when u need to urinate? or nausea?

all suggestions welcomed as i will help my father adapt to this new lifestyle with an upcoming NEO BLADDER. THANKS!!!!

**Carolyn, RN

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13 years 7 months ago #33253 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic let\'s do this....
It certainly sounds like the right approach. T2 is not to be messed with or delayed.

64 is still pretty darn young and you said he was otherwise healthy so the neobladder is the most likely route.

It is a very tough surgery and takes a while to recover. Being an RN, I'm sure you know with any abdominal surgery, walking as soon as possible afterward helps the intestines wake up. Chewing gum also helps according to some studies.
He won't want to walk or feel like it but he should get up the very next day and walk a bit (even if it is walking in place next to the bed). Morning, noon, and evening walks up and down the halls.

Tell him good luck from us and tell him we are more than happy to answer any questions he has.

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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13 years 7 months ago #33252 by DadsRN2010
let\'s do this.... was created by DadsRN2010
my father was recently diagnosed..CA into the muscle of bladder
experiences hematuria and went for a ct scan
ct scan showed "shadow"
the report had "neoplasm" all over it and the BASIC UROLOGIST does a diagnostic cysto in the office to confirm that he had a "polyp" on his bladder and needed a TURBT.

after not liking thelackadaisical attitude this guy had, he finally decides to go with a BLADDER CANCER SPECIALIST (thank God he listened to his RN daughter) and learns that the diagnostic cysto was useless, the CTscan REPORT showed clearly that there was a cancer. not just a "polyp".
(perhaps the basic urologist just wanted to make extra $$ that day)
he goes for the TURBT with the specialist, results are that it yes indeed was cancer and the path report confirm it is muscle invasive. (T2?)
treatment varies..but our new DR who is AGGRESIVE is going to treat my father with WHAT WILL KEEP HIM ALIVE LONGER. he stated he will THROW HIS CANCER IN THE GARBAGE.
i happen to like that approach. he is scheduled for a bladder reconstruction/replacement in 2 weeks.

****this post was "revamped". i had responded to somebody elses thread and by responses to my post it was suggested to start my own thread. thank you all for any support, tips, hints, for my father to adapt to his upcoming neobladder**** :)

all suggestions welcomed as i will help my father adapt to this new lifestyle with an upcoming NEO BLADDER. THANKS!!!!

**Carolyn, RN

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