Hi Everyone and Cynthia,
You know I have 2 cents to throw in,too....
This website has been designed with all of us in mind. There is information on every stage and grade and addresses much of the even rare features of bladder cancer. Every stage also has top notch information for treatments and protocols and survival sheets. Any information you can't find here can be found by other kind souls willing to research for you. This website has it all if you or someone you love is dealing with bladder cancer period.
This website is set up to be very user friendly. I say that confidently as one who is technologically challenged. There are sections for every stage of bladder cancer or according to being male or female. We have blogs, forums, email and chat options for survivors and caregivers. You can be active on any section or anonymously lurk or even just glean information. And you can even chose to do it daily, once a week, just while you are in treatment, or for the rest of your life. And it is free
What we can't chose is what cancer we have.
I don't chose to read sections where I have no knowledge or experience to be helpful, like noninvasive or mens issues. I don't post in sections or threads where I don't feel I can be of help. My lack of reading or posting there is not indicative of my compassion for those in those sections. I feel for everyone facing any facet of bladder cancer - IT ALL STINKS!
Almost all active website users are aware of Cynthia setting up the mets discussion area last week. I don't believe it was created because mets is a more important or a bigger issue. I think it was done because that segment of bladder cancer is rapidly changing. It has different implications than other stages of bladder cancer and it can be disturbing if you don't live with mets. That is why I post there - I live with mets. Before that section was created - I could either openly post in the general mets section (and scare people), email in the dark with other mets survivors, or shut up and not connect with others like me. Cynthia's solution was purfect - mets can post and others can avoid the section completely. Thank you Cynthia!
In closing let me say this. It is very unfortunate there has been more than a few who have recently experienced progression. I pray that those with noninvasive never progress. (Please note I use the term noninvasive vs superficial - I think superficial is very misleading and invalidating) I think all stages and grades of bladder cancer have fears and needs and should be validated. I also think everyone afflicted with bladder cancer has a place on this website. We all have choices of how we help ourselves and the others who will be here soon. I for one am grateful for the website, Thanks Cynthia and Eddie, God Bless, Holly