Hello, I have been reading these forums for the past month or so and they helped a lot with my anxiety over my diagnosis and procedures required. I felt like the least I could do is make a post that could do the same for anyone else, mostly around the TURBT procedure + recovery
I was diagnosed with a 2.2CM tumor via CT Scan w/ contrast in mid May, quite the shock (to both my doctor and myself!) given I am under 30. On June 19th it was removed via TURBT with good prognosis from the surgeon, he was very sure he got it all and said it was "shallow with a very thin stalk into the bladder". I woke up with a catheter that they pumped some chemo into my bladder with, but went home without one after 2-3 hours. The surgery from arrival to dismissal was about 7hours 8am-3pmish. I won't lie, the peeing really really sucked. Stings the first 10 or so times you go, then a sever burning sensation thereafter. But good news! This did not last nearly as long as I thought it would. I would say that within about 3-4 days my urination felt more or less normal. So if this is the part you are scared of don't worry, I know you can grit your teeth and bare the worst of it for 1.5 days! (My technique was to sit down, take off my shirt and bite it, then urinate while tapping my feet on the ground while humming) Just know that each time you go it WILL get better.
My pathology came in today for it being low grade non-invasive and will not need chemo. I have an appointment made to discuss treatment, which I'm guessing is making a schedule for regular cystoscopies and lifestyle habits. I quite smoking which I would assume is a good first step. I did not have a cystoscopy before the surgery, but I'm sure it can't be worse than the TURBT recovery.
Here's to hoping for no recurrence!
-Kurtista
-Virginia, USA