I\'m a mess

This is NOT the end. But It can be a wakeup call! I just thought I would chime in an add my 2 cents. I am a lot like you. A businessman, father, husband and active lifestyle person.

I am still all these things after 3 years! Three years ago I became cancer free after having my bladder removed. Good riddence..."you failed me my old friend!"

It is just a bump in the road.... It may be a Big bump, but a bump still enough. You will meet many people who are still here, getting it going, and loving life......after Bc

Don't panic......... Breath Deep.... Just a bump. You've had them before if you are in business...... Put it in perspective... get the right care..... DONE!

George

ps. But I guarantee you this.... It will change you!

Oh...the beginning..

Many of us remember it well. Many just remember the freaking out parts. The "what now" parts.

Well....my first thing was CIS in 2006. You don't know you have it yet so don't get too worried now. CIS is actually quite treatable with BCG. I wound up getting my bladder out three years ago. Doing great!

Bladder cancer doesn't mean you need to start looking into assisted suicide. As has been said, it could be they didn't see the other stuff the first time. Low grade can recur over and over and never amount to anything. CIS, though is aggressive.

Sounds like you are working on getting where Pat recommended. Please do! Keep us in the loop.

You're a businessman so you know how to compartmentalize. Do so with this and you'll be fine. If you can't, then check into some counseling. Major news like this can knock you out of whack for a while.

I'm guessing that as you start to realize how many bladder cancer survivors there are out here running around, living our lives, and doing everything we ever wanted to do, you'll feel less panicked and start looking at this like a solvable problem (which it is).

Good luck and again...keep us in the loop.

Mike

Okay now that panic has had its course --- and everything you said and felt are very normal --- I have been fighting this lousy cancer for 5 years, and at 72, I am here --- without a prostate or bladder --- but I do all I did before --- but sharing it here will help, for you do not walk alone, just follow the footsteps of the people on here and you will get through this --- they helped me they will help you. God Bless.

Dear Bobby,
I agree with all the advice you've had so far: Don't panic. Don't blame yourself. Get a second opinion.
Even if it comes to cystectomy, it's not the end! My husband was 35 at diagnosis, five years ago. He had T1 but high grade, multiple tumors, CIS and lymphovascular invasion. He opted for cystectomy and chemo. We live a normal life. The nerve sparring worked perfectly. He is fully continent in the day and has occasional leaks at night, not a big price to pay for being fit and healthy. I hope it turns out that your tumors are not invasive but just wanted to let you know that, even if they are, you don't need to be buying your son's car yet!
All the best,
Mona

Bobby,

Welcome and I'm sorry to qualify to be here. I would also encourage you to get a 2nd opinion at a major bladder cancer center. This way you can be sure of the diagnosis and treatment plan.

We're both fairly young as far as bladder cancer patients go and I have a family with 2 small children also. I too suspect smoking caused my bladder cancer. I felt guilty and ashamed for allowing this to happen to me and my family as well. I'll just encourage you to not let those thoughts stop you from trying to do the right thing going foward. You can't do anything about the past, but you can do something about the present and future.

I figure bladder cancer gave me the kick in the can to finally quit. I always knew I should, but I always said next week, month, year but next week, month or year never came. It came November of last year. The consequences finally became greater than the pleasure. I just do it one day at a time and don't fall for the I'll only have one trick. It's all or nothing for me so I choose nothing now. I figure I'm going to do what I can to stop the cancer from coming back and after that what's going to happen is going to happen. I'm going for my 9 month cysto next week and hopefully everything will still be clear. I don't usually get too concerned about my checkups until I'm actually waiting in the exam room. I'd say that's pretty good.

Don't beat yourself up over the past. Your efforts are better focused on the present and future.

it looks like they take it.....but one way is to just call
www.uscnorriscancerhospital.org/uscnorris/patients-and-visitors/admissions
pat