is radical cystestomy the best option?

16 years 6 months ago #7881 by Stephany
Replied by Stephany on topic is radical cystestomy the best option?
Dar, when my husband came home from the hospital, he could get himself out of bed and up and around, but very slowly. Your husband will probably be so tired that he won't even notice you're not there....unless he needs something ::)

My husband is five weeks post-cystectomy, and still tired, not working yet. Your husband probably won't need a walker, but when he showers, a shower chair or stool would be nice. He won't be able to bathe for a while. He will need you there for the showering, and for flushing his tubes, etc. And a good sized bedside table to hold everything he'll need (cell phone, charger, water, etc.) He probably won't be interested in reading or TV yet, either.

Let us know if you have other questions.

Stephany in Iowa

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16 years 6 months ago #7870 by dar
Replied by dar on topic is radical cystestomy the best option?
Luis/Skylid,

My husband is in average physical condition. The operations is planned for 9/18. We were told 6-7 hours. Dr Dinney, the heard of MD Anderson's Cancer Institute's Urology Dept, is performing the surgery. I assume he is one of the best in the field. I work a very demanding job and although I plan to take time off while he is in the hospital I need to get back to work. The doctor said he would be ok by himself after he got home from the hospital, as long as I set things up before I left for work. How long were you in the hospital?? How bad off will he be when he gets home?? Would a walker be appropriate for awhile?? Will he be able to get out of bed by himself?? Any tips on what I can expect??
Why did you choose the neobladder vs the ilieal conduit?? Does it require longer surgery? I would assume it would, but how much longer?
Thanks to all who have answered my questions. It has been very helpful.

Husband's RC 9/24/07
Ron is 66 yrs old and retired
DX 6/13/07, T1 G3 Cancer
Hospital: MD Anderson Caner Center
Surgeon: Dr Colin Dinney

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16 years 6 months ago #7785 by skylid
Replied by skylid on topic is radical cystestomy the best option?
I had a radical cystectomy in 2004. I do not regret the surgery and the results have been very good for me so far. My case was similar except that it was not in the Lamina Propia but close. My cancer was very agressive also.
I was able to have a neobladder and with it you basically function very much like if you had your own bladder. I am 60 years old now so I was 57 when I had my surgery. I also had the prostate and lymph removal; this is pretty standard when they do the cystectomy.
M D Anderson is certainly a top world class facility. I live in Texas also but decided to have my surgery at USC in california with Dr. Skinner who is a leader in the field. The key is having it done with people that do it oftwen and know what they are doing. I am sure at M D ASnderson the quality of care is among the best also.
If I can help in communicating my experience let me know. I'll be more than glad to help as best I can.
Adfter the surgery he will need you to be a nurse and a drill sargeant. He will be weak but will have to walk and try to recoup as fast as possible. I was told that the rule is 1 month for every hour of surgery. My surgery was over 7 hours and it did take me about 7 months to get back to normal.
Today I do everything I used to do before and I thank G_D every day.Luis

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16 years 7 months ago #7685 by Mike
Replied by Mike on topic is radical cystestomy the best option?
Dar heart attacks or not your husband needs the surgery and as Pat has mentioned a good hospital like MD Anderson and with your husbands heart problems I'm sure they could have a cardiologist right there in the OR if needed things larger hospitals offer versus the smaller ones. Plus look at this side with any of us having major surgery anyone of us could have a heart attack or stroke it's right there in the consent form we all sign along with all the other risk factors. With the technology out there today a good surgeon who has done at least 50-90 of these surgeries a yr and a good cardio Dr on standby there is light at the end of the tunnel. I wish both of you the best and will keep you guys in my prayers. Joe

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16 years 7 months ago #7683 by Gene Beane
Replied by Gene Beane on topic is radical cystestomy the best option?
Dar,
I found this website soon after my husbands first turb July 3rd. You see after they went in and found what was a tumor, instead of what I wanted to hear, a polyup, or something less serious, my converstion on the phone with the urologist here locally after the procedure went like this. " EVERTHING WENT WELL, WE REMOVED WHAT WE COULD OF THE TUMOR, I WILL BE SENDING YOU TO THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOR FURTHER TESTS AND PROCEDURES WHICH WILL BE , CHEMO, RADIATION , BLADDER REMOVAL." To that I said , so it is cancer. He said yes, the path report will give us stage etc..I only heard, chemo and radiation, I completely blocked out removal, I really wanted no part of it..I in tern had to tell my husband as he was in and out of it when he spoke with the Doctor in recovery. So our next trip was to the clinic another turb as they want there own look at things, bone scans,chest scans, kidney scans. We have no involvement except within the bladder into the muscle, it was 2 by 4 centimeters.
We are fortunate for that. But after bladder removal another path report. I pray that the tests are correct, no lymph node involvement. As I have said to Pat and to Wendy both, I wonder what happened to our life. Since April its been so changed. I have let go of the worry as much as I can because it didn't get me anywhere.We are at a vulnerable age, our surgeon said at 66 and in good physical condition other than the heart episode, Gene should do well. We are a couple who spent 2 months in Tucson Arizona in the winter, 3 trips to Vegas a year, and spent the rest of the time here at home with our 2 children and our 5 grandchildren, DOING LOTS OF THINGS. THIS HAS SLAMMED US REALLY HARD.
MY POINT IN TELLING YOU ALL OF THIS IS THAT MAYBE YOU CAN RELATE, OF COURSE WE WANT TO PRESERVE WHAT WE CAN, BUT THE ALTERNATIVE TO US IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I WAS SO TOUCHED BY THE STORY OF MOM OF 4, HER POOR HUSBAND HAS STAGE 4 AND IS INVASIVE ALL OVER, HE IS 39. I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP MY HUSBAND, WITHOUT HIS BLADDER. GOODBYE CANCER!!!!!!
ginger beane

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16 years 7 months ago #7682 by dar
Replied by dar on topic is radical cystestomy the best option?
Patricia, Thanks for your answer.

Husband's RC 9/24/07
Ron is 66 yrs old and retired
DX 6/13/07, T1 G3 Cancer
Hospital: MD Anderson Caner Center
Surgeon: Dr Colin Dinney

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