Year Ago Today

Thats right CHIEF,, we have our life, and Rick has always been so gracious as to help walk me through situations with Gene as well as you Joe. I wish we all could meet someday, I am sure it would be fun,,so many different types with one thing in common. Speaking of Indians we won our home opener against Chicago!!!!!Ginger

Well folks to me no matter what diversion you have the main thing is you still have your life and that is the most important thing. Cheers, Joe

Jeff F,
I read allot about the diversions prior to meeting with my surgeon. He was highly experience in NeoBladders. From what I read on this site at the time, I didn't read allot about the Indiana Pouch, nor did my Surgeon sway that idea. The plan was if he couldn’t complete the NeoBladder, he would go straight to the Ileal Conduit. My stormo is three inches to the right and three inches down from my belly button. My surgeon and Stormo Nurse asked if I was left or right handed. When I told them I was right handed, they said it would be easier for me to have the stormo on the right
If I had to do it over again; from what I have heard, read and experienced my personal choice would be in order:
1) Ileal Conduit Stormo (I really love my stormo - Like Gene, I like the convience of the bag)
2) Indiana Pouch
3) Neobladder

Leigh and Ginger,
Thanks for your kind words. I was talking to my kids the other day of how the people that participate on this site are similar to how I feel about the classmates I graduated from High School with. Forever, I will be associated with the fellow Fighting Kangaroos of the class of 1977 and look forward to class reunions to talk about our shared experiences. We were together not because of our choice but where we happen to live. The same feeling goes out to my fellow Bladder Cancer Classmates. I feel we will be forever linked because of the shared fight. It would be great to have a yearly reunion somewhere, where we all can meet in person.
Until that happens, I feel I get to be a small part of everyone’s life by participating at the Web Café.

Thanks to all
Rick

I wasn't offered the Indiana pouch, just the neo or the bag. I think because of how you feel about your choice before surgery you have to take in to consideration your whole picture. Heart condition etc, I had a heart attack one year before my r/c and still have some issues with other arterites, so for me the easiest and safest was the bag. I am not sorry I have the bag. I don't ever have to carry any tubes etc.
Gene

Jeff I have the Indian Pouch and I wanted the Neobladder but there were cancer cells around my uretha that did not show on my scans. So my surgeon didn't know till he opened me up so we went with Plan B the Pouch. I had chemo before my surgery because my surgeon said he had a better success rate doing the chemo before the surgery. And then back in 2000 I had a bifemoral surgery for a blocked artery in my right leg left me with a 15 inch scar running across my abdomen. So during my RC it took my surgeon an extra 2 hrs cutting through the old incision with all the scar tissue etc. And then getting the chemo that was 3 months so between my prior surgery, the chemo, and my RC my recovery time took alot longer then others. Then after I thought things were good to go I got 2 UTI's and then an infection in my blood called MRSA so I am finally getting settled and starting to feel better, everyone is different so good luck to you my friend. Joe

***Speaking of a year ago I was getting my chemo which was done April 20th. 07

Dear Rick,

I have been a keen follower of your posts as they have helped me so much with my journey too.

I am very pleased that you are doing really well and your life is flowing well again.

Thank you so much for your input with my questions which were sometimes on the intimate side on mens issues.

You have an excellent way of explaning your experiences to others and I take my hat off to you for that as I have learned so much through your own courage to share your story.

Kind Regards
Leigh