recently diagnosed

Missy,
Well he's got a lot of specialties including pediatric urology.....he's pretty well recognised as a top doc but i wonder how many cystectomys he does a year? How is your Dad doing?
pat

Pat,

You seem very knowledgeable. My father had a RC at the University of Penn at the end of July. Do you know much about Dr. Van Arsdalen? He performed my father's surgery.

Missy

Hi Cindy,
Well you picked a good University. Dr. Guzzo is one of the younger Uro/Surgeons who did his fellowship at Johns Hopkins and probably worked under Dr. Malkowicz who is a top surgeon for bladder cancer at U of Penn.
I also had T2a but strangely enough low grade bladder cancer.
All my CT scans, bone scan, x-rays, and blood work ups indicated no spread so i did not have to do chemo and luckily it was contained.
I opted for an Indiana Pouch as a female with a navel stoma. Not every surgeon can do this one..its a bit more difficult than the neo or the ileal conduit. But i love it..no leaking, i have it trained to empty at 4 to 5 hrs during the day and can sleep all night. It takes a while to get the night time but its trainable.
I would ask your surgeon how many cystectomys he does a year and ask him if he can do all diversions. Your choice is important. So just ask away.
pat

Hi Mike,
I live in New Jersey. I will be having the
surgery at the University of Pennsylvania not
sure which surgery they will do still have to
finish chemo then go back to the surgeon.
Dr. Guzzo

Cindy,

Sorry about the diagnosis but glad you found us. Where are you and who's doing your surgery?

I had T2 High grade also and had my surgery almost two years ago now. Which surgery are you getting?

There are many of us here who have had the surgery, both men and women so ask any and all questions.

Mike

Hi my name is Cindy.
I have Stage 2 T2 Bladder Cancer. I am currently
doing chemo then surgery to follow. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has gone through surgery.