new to forum- searching for info and support

Sophie,

Welcome. Let us know how things go on the 30th.

Anita

The doctor will look at the bladder, and take urine samples for cytology. However, I doubt very much that he will take tissue samples. OUCH. This is usually done under anesthesia, for good reason!

After the cystoscopy, the doctor will have a much better idea of what the problems might be and will then make recommendations for further examination or treatment.
In some cases urine samples can give a lot of pertinent information, but they can also be misleading and are used as part of a more complete workup.

You are doing GREAT, girl. Keep it up!!!

Sara Anne

We can never predict how our bladders are going to react to "insults" such as a tumor or irritation! They seem to have a mind of their own. For example, I NEVER had any blood, microscopic or otherwise. And yet I had both papillary and CIS tumors. My symptoms were more like a bladder infection. A BAD one.

On October 30 are you having cystoscopy (an exam in the doctor's office where she places a small camera in the bladder and looks) or a TURB (transurethral resection of the bladder) where you are under general anesthesia and the urologist takes samples of the bladder for biopsy?
The latter is the only definitive was to diagnose bladder cancer, although the urologist can get an idea from cystoscopy.

Wishing you lots of luck. There are many of us here you have been where you are now. As for the depression, you may find that having something like this to worry about and fight may help you to overcome this for a while.

Sara Anne