bladder had to stay...next???

Hi Marcus and Peggy,

My husband and I are in the same boat as you both are ( or on the street having just been hit by a semi). This metastatic bladder cancer is like being hit by a truck! You must try to enjoy to the fullest every minute. Don't get too caught up in only the Dr.'s, the cancer, and medications. Yes, they are part of this but don't miss the MOST important part which is the time we have left together. It really is a gift, most people don't know how or when they are going to die, I don't know if it is better to know or not since we didn't have a choice, but we are making the most of it. Who knows maybe some brilliant kid in medical school will come up with a cure while we are going through treatment? It could happen. Also, you are correct that there is no cure, but remission is a possibility. That is what I hope for, as I am sure you do. I never thought that we would be semi-retired at 39 and 47, but here we are. I plan to make it as much fun as he can take. He is currently taking the CMV Chemo, and he is hospitalized when he gets the big dose of Cisplatin. Other than that, and the fatigue we are getting on just fine. No cake walk by any means, we are giving it a shot though. My husband made the decision (which also can change at anytime) that if the treatments were taking too much out of him/ and having a life, he would stop...So far life is winning...hopefully we can keep some sort of balancing act going. Its like being on a high-wire, juggling, while someone is shooting at you! Not easy to keep your balance LOL. Keep your sense of humor, even when things aren't very funny.

Good Luck to you Both,
Karen

Thank you for your caring and hope. Marcus still has his bladder but they diverted the urine. He is doing well - we're out by the pool having coffee while soaking up the Tucson morning sun. I know this will sound crazy, but our daughter said - at least he didn't get hit by a truck! We are moving on and hopeful for much good time.
Thanks again for your responses. Peggy

Peggy,
When my husband was diagnosed his cancer had spread and surgery was not an option.

We have never discussed time at all with the doctor, just enjoying every minute, every day that we have. Bob has been told that one of the reasons he has done as well as he has is due to his "good health" other than the cancer.

Keep us posted and best of luck.

Clara

Dear Peggy,

Please send my best regards to Marcus. I'm a little confused, if he has an indiana pouch then this is made after the bladder is removed and fashioned from intestine. Are you sure this is what happened? Because then the bladder would indeed have been removed.

I'm not sure what to say, if his bladder is still in place and they've created another way for urine to be voided, then that is another story.

However we cut it, it sounds as if you and Marcus are looking at a rough road ahead. Radiation can be quite easy, you already know what chemo is like.

Will a different combo of drugs be used, or something else? What was the chemo already done?

I'm thinking about you both, and sending good wishes.
Wendy

There are times I'm so stunned and sad I have no words. This is one of those times. I've always thought that bad news like this is far worse for the family than it is for the patient--a cancer patient often has a growing sense of acceptance, whereas the family just feels helpless.

You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

Zach

I think this is being posted as a message from Marcus, but actually it's me, Peggy his wife, posting. Marcus, 58 years old, went into Tucson Medical Center on Halloween Day to have his bladder and prostrate removed after 3 months of chemo. Unfortunately the doctors were unable to proceed due to the spread of the cancer. They did make a diversion and he has an Indiana pouch. The next step recommended is more chemo and 7 weeks of radiation 5x per week in hopes of buying as much as a year or two. Have any of you gone this route? We've been told the cancer is incurable. Marcus is a remarkable man in good physical condition (under the circumstances) with much will to make the most of all remaining time. About 3 weeks before surgery he began posting and I'm hoping he'll get back to it.
Hope to hear from some of you.
Peggy