Post surgical treatments?

So sorry, but I just noticed that I perhaps posted to two different people as though they were the same, can someone shed some light on this for me?

Since you only had one lymph node, perhaps they'll give you something not so brutal.  It's also possible they could wait for your first official follow-up when you have your ct scan and lab work and that you might have around three months post-op.  These are things you can discuss with your surgeon and your oncologist, but what I'm wondering is what your level of disease was/is, when you were diagnosed, and your age (only if you wish to share these things, it's your choice) and anything else you're willing to share.
I completely understand your concern about the lymph node that was involved, and I think your doctors might be able to shed some light on what that could mean for you.  Although I'm fairly sure there will be others on the WebCafe that will share their thoughts with you as I have, there are some very wonderful people who have gone through what you're going through and are willing to share their experiences.
As each day passes you'll feel just a little bit stronger, and with that physical strength will come an inner strength that will help you get through the emotional part of all of this.  If you read on the main part of the WebCafe you will find some information that will perhaps help you through all the emotional stuff as well.  There are some wonderful books that are suggested reading, and in past posts of mine I've suggested some books that I think are excellent as well.  I won't write all that here again, but I will find where I've written about them and I'll come back and give you that information in another message.
You're in my prayers, and I'm sure the prayers of others as well.

Lou Graham

Thank You for your re assuring words. I am presently one week post surgery and had the ileal conduit. I am mostly concerned about that one lymph node that was positive. I don't know if I can handle that brutal chemo again.

I can only speak from my personal experience and a little of what I've read on this web site, and I would say your chances are probably good. I imagine your surgeon will have you doing follow-ups, and that means if there is any evidence of cancer during your follow-ups it will be caught in its early stages.  I imagine it's also possible you might have chemotherapy once you've healed from your surgery, and that could be a help as well.
I would imagine your surgeon could give you some reassurance with regard to your chance for survival, although they don't usually like to be too specific for fear we'll hold them to it to the letter.  That's something they can't guarantee because we're all different, our disease is different, and our response to our surgery and/or treatments will be different as well.
After my surgery in February 2004 when my surgeon had gotten my final pathology reports (which were all negative except of course for my bladder), he said to me as he was exiting my hospital room, "Although I cannot promise, I believe this surgery will cause you to be cancer free, and that you probably won't need chemotherapy at all".  Wow!  That blew me away, and although I still, like many of us here have reported, had my times when I was worried about every little pain or swelling, to this day I remain cancer free.  I often remember him standing there in my doorway as he said those words to me, and I thank God that I made the choices I made with regard to my care and who was going to provide me that care.
It's been more than 2 1/2 years since my surgery and I don't worry about it like I did early on, but we still have to be on the look-out for possible problems.  Being better educated in what to look for, you know right off if there's a problem that needs some checking into and that can be very important in your continuing to be a cancer survivor.  Something else I have seen make a difference in survival is having a positive attitude, and with that using it to help others deal with their survival.
It would be good to know if you wish to share it with us, when you were diagnosed, when you had your surgery and what type diversion you have.  I wish you the best of luck in your recovery, and keep us informed as we like to help if and when we can.

Lou Graham

After chemo all diagnostic tests before radical bladder cancer surgery showed no indication of metastasis, Was told by surgeon that One of 14 lymph nodes examined showed cancer cells.

What does this mean for survival?