Bill,
E coli is naturally occurring in ALL mammals. It is in the intestines. Unless the man you talked to had this "e coli infection" confirmed by the urologist who did the surgery (assuming that it is a highly experienced surgeon) then I'd be a bit suspect of the diagnosis.
e coli infections are rare and there are some things that could make one higher risk. For example, if you had a neo and had to self cath periodically and you reuse catheters and you aren't careful to be sure you wash your hands and you wind up coming into to contact with your own feces or any kind of bacteria you could wind up with an infection of some sort. They are not that common though. I am going on three years with a neo and never had an infection (knock wood! Oh damn--now I've probably jinxed myself).
One thing that those of us with neobladders, Indiana pouches, or any other continent diversion have to keep in mind is that there is a huge difference between "colonization" and "infection".
Whenever I get a urine test, it looks like World War 3 in there. All sorts of things are present but they cause no symptoms and there is no sign of infection.
I had a few urine tests done when hospitalized for other things and they all start freaking out and making plans to bring in tanker trucks and SWAT teams armed with every antibiotic known to man. However, I never really had an infection. Once you get continent diversion you have to be sure that anyone who tests your urine knows about it or they all go into cardiac arrest when they look at the test results.
Infections can happen with or without a neobladder but sanitary precautions can greatly reduce the chances of getting one. If you do get an infection it can be treated and eliminated. Not getting your bladder out when you need to greatly increases your chances of being dead, and as far as I know that isn't so treatable with antibiotics or anything else.
Getting radiation can make getting the bladder out and getting a neobladder or Indiana pouch (IP) in the future a MUCH more difficult surgery for both you and your surgeon. If Dr. Lamm is recommending removal, well it's your choice.
Along with Pat, I wonder how many neobladders or IPs he does. You want someone who is doing 50 or more a year of the kind of diversion you prefer. He is the world renowned specialist on BCG treatment. I just don't know how many bladder removal/diversions he does on a regular basis.
Mike