UPDATE ON JMEMA (from daughter Gina)

Hi Jean,

It sounds like you might have lymphedema. There are physiotherapists that specialize in this, it's not all that uncommon after radical surgery with many lymph nodes removed. You can look it up, there are many organizations and websites that discuss it and how to deal with it.

Take care,
Wendy

Had another checkup yesterday. My legs, especially my right one, have been swelling the last few weeks but much more in the last few days. My local uro said it is a combination of neuropathy and the fact that they removed so many lymph nodes. He recommended compression stockings which I have tried today. They take some getting used to but we have to accept the changes one at a time I guess. He also said to put my feet up more often during the day which I have not been doing over the holiday. Has anyone else had any problems with their legs swelling after cystectomy.
Jean

Pastor Richard,
It's nice to know that there are some more people on the forum that have had MANY birthdays. As I read I find that one thing in our favor is our age. Your cells do not grow as fast so the older you are when you get cancer the better your prognosis is.
My great grandson is spending the day with me today because his day care has a bad flu going around and my granddaughter didn't want him to catch it. He is 3 1/2 and very easy. I just look at him and thank God for the added years that I am going to have to watch him grow.
I am glad you are making a good recovery. Each day you will feel a little stronger and on the days you don't feel too strong just take it easy.
Many blessings....Jean

Hello Jean,
I've been reading your journey to victory THANKS
I had 10 days between the news that I had cancer and surgery
not much time for a pitty party
I was one angry kid (79 year old brat is more like it)
round 1 went to cancer lost my bladder and prostate
round 2 went to GOD
cancer free
rough rc but came thru after 2 weeks
wife is hech of good care giver
rc on 11/11/06 got out Thanksgiving Day leaky bag and all
God bless YOU
Pastor Richard or bearbait

It was 2 months post op yesterday and I think I am doing well. I still have pains in my right leg and my right ankle is still giving me problems when I first stand up and sometimes is very painful but my local uro said neuropathy is very common after this operation. I get overtired if I do too much so I just pace myself. The appliance is sticking much better and lasting more than 3 days if I want it to but I have been told that after 72 hours urine really builds up bacteria and you have less chance of infection if you change it every 3 days.
I presently have Sarah McLachlan's new christmas CD in my computer. I have really awesome speakers since I love music so much and I am making my last minute list of things to do before Christmas.
I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and blessings, good health and courage when you need it, for the new year and I want to thank everyone who helped me through the hard days of 2006.
Jean

Hi,
I just went for my check up. It will be 6 weeks on Thursday. I am happy to say my chest X-Ray which was several panels was perfect and I am just so grateful that everything is turning out so well. He said the neuropathy will get better with time and the pains will change as the healing process continues and to not try and do too much all at once. I can't pick up my granddaughter for 3 more weeks but I can at least hold her on my lap now, although at 17 months she has "things to do and place to go" like up Mema stairs when we forget to put on the gate.
I can't thank you all enough for the words of encouragement when I needed them and I hope now I can be some comfort to others who are about to embark on "the journey".
Blessings to all....Jean