Newly Diagnosed

Hi Dan,

Yes, I do recall how quickly life changed after the diagnosis, but it seems you are on track. There should be a pathology report from your TUR procedure. That should tell you the stage as well as the grade. Sounds like he believes you are stage 2, although they cannot be sure til the bladder is out. Others who are more knowledgeable here will need that info to help advise you.
I can undersyand your anxiety with the wait - and frankly - I would ask for it to be moved up. Not sure how they do things. I had my Rc done in Mayo's at Minnesota....they did my surgery 8 days after they laid eyes on me.
Best wishes to you and God Bless, Holly

Hi,

Ten days ago I had blood in my urine. Seven days ago I had a cystoscopy, and the Urologist removed a 5cm tumor. Two days ago the urologist told me that it was muscle invasive, transitional cell carcinoma, grade 3. He said that my bladder would have to be removed. He said that the report from the CT scan I had done the previous week did not indicate any involvement outside the bladder, although he didn't examine the pictures himself.

The urologist (who I like very much), referred me to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa (supposed to be excellent--the best in the area). Moffitt Cancer Center called today and said that I would have an appointment with the assigned doctor on December 14.

Given the speed with which things have been moving, I was surprised at the delay in getting to see the doctor at Moffitt. Is this a typical delay in the treatment of grade 3 cancer? I put in a call to my urologist, but haven't heard back yet.

Maybe I'm feeling a little anxious because I'm new to having cancer, but I want to get on with the process ASAP.

Any comments or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan (age: 60, never smoked, otherwise in good health)