Gathering information for the decision time

12 years 4 months ago #40130 by Groucho Marx
Gathering information for the decision time was created by Groucho Marx
Yes, decision time. I am having trouble reconciling the description of bladder replacement surgery with all the positive reports of people following surgery.

History. I have been having more and more trouble for years. I first sought treatment early 2010. Nothing was done but check urine samples until Labor Day weekend this year. We hadn't planned 4 days at the Pitt Med Center for our visit to Pittsburgh, but I ended up with a bladder blocked with blood clots. They removed the tumors by scope, took pathology samples, and sent me home with a catheter. Unfortunately the pathology report came back bad,T-2, muscle wall invaded and scattered cancer cells in the bladder lining.

My urologist blithely assured me she could refer me to one of the top surgeons in the country and everything would be fine. I picked up a pamphlet and did some reading. I was having real troubles imaging relieving my self with any of the choices in some of the places I have to use. I have always hated having to have bowel movements in filthy public restrooms. I was having real trouble seeing having a Labrador Retriever low on the learning curve with me in a portapotty while I relieved myself. How does it work in primitive pit toilets with no running water? Both her and the surgeon are leaving it up to me to choose which way to go. Our current life style is largely built around dogs.

Then we talked to the surgeon. He says the the prostrate has to go too, and I would likely lose erectile function. So relations with my wife ends and I also have to give up many of the activities where I take the dog? ''Life is good''? I am 68 and am doing a lot more than playing euchre at the senior citizens center once in a while. At this time I am seriously considering nothing. Neither my urologist or the surgeon have suggested any sort of alternative treatment.

I am also having trouble with the idea my urologist did nothing for a year and a half even after finding blood in my urine earlier this year. The doctors at Pitt marveled at that one. It is almost like she doesn't see bladder replacement as any big deal and no reason to aggressively investigate the chance of cancer. Come on, an older, white male with progressively more problems urinating with no sign of prostate problems. I feel my life has been devastated. I accept mutalation or an early death.

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