Well I can tell you my husband is also 66 years old, he was diagnosd with Stage 3 T-2 bladder cancer, very aggressive. In April he had blood in his urine, no energy, and lost 15 pounds. In November I had the rescue squad at our home as he had a heart attack, AFTER ARRIVING AT THE HOSPITAL HE HAD ANOTHER ATTACK AND CODED PURPLE he had a stent put in his A descending artery immediately. The next day he had 4 more stents. The following months he did well, worked out in rehab therapy, then boom, bladder cancer. Gene and I have tried to think of everything we can to keep the bladder and find a different answer to the situation. Well after 3 turbs and tumors removed the reality is , The Bladder has to come out"
We asked our surgeon about partial cystestomy, the result down the road will be the same. Taking a chance on reoccurence is to great with stage 3 aggressive. So Sept. 14th at the Cleveland Clinic it will be removed. Gene has decided to go for the neo-bladder unless the situation is not feasible then the bag. We have an appointment with the Cardiologist Sept. 5th, for clearance, the Cleveland Clinic has also scheduled there cardiologist to be there for the operation and will report to our cardiologist. Believe you me , if I could avoid this operation for my husband I would do anything, but after 3 months now of talking about it, tests and more tests, final results, stage 3 T-2 muscle invasive, there's one answer, I just needed to hear it alot of times before I actually believed it.
As our surgeon said when I asked how long we can delay this he said, 'CANCER COMES FIRST'' 3 months from diagnosis is recommended time for removal. Like you the heart thing has me concerned, but we have no other choice, so we will believe in our surgeon and pray all goes well.
I will keep you in my prayers and hope you and your husband get the right answers for your situation. I would like to get an update and hear your decision as to how you will proceed. Ginger Beane ps,, I wish it was stage 2, noninvasive
but I didn't get that, sorry to say