Stage IV Bladder Cancer or not ?

15 years 10 months ago #17150 by mznoregrets
Replied by mznoregrets on topic Stage IV Bladder Cancer or not ?
Hi Leigh,

I sure can understand why you are distressed - I been there too to varying degrees. When it comes right down to it - you did do the RC and diversion, you pushed to do the chemo. You have been doing everything what I would have done (and did do). No matter what the DX was, you have done what is recommended to be cancer free. Just because your understanding of your original stage seems to be traumatizing, don't let the words take anything from you.
Personally, I think you should hang on until Wendy or Zach make a reply here. I really think Zach can really help you out with this. God Bless, Holly

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15 years 10 months ago #17145 by Leigh
Replied by Leigh on topic Stage IV Bladder Cancer or not ?
Hello Karen,

Thank you for your reply...

My prostate was invaded by the tumor and 17 of the 29 nodes taken were positive so it is a possibility as you mentioned that they may have gotten all the cancer.

My chemo has now finished and I am on the recovery road from the chemo treatment.

I will take it up with my oncologist though....

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my call for help, I am usually very strong and deal with things calmly. I am not feeling calm today though and guess I am in a dip and needed a helping hand.

Kind wishes and thoughts to you and Angelo.

Leigh

Leigh, 39
Dx July 2007
TURBT July 2007
RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & Cisplatinum

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15 years 10 months ago #17143 by momof4
Replied by momof4 on topic Stage IV Bladder Cancer or not ?
Leigh,

First, I want to put you at ease a bit...You are so pro-active...and you have done so many things to be sure that you were given the best care...

That being said, My understanding is that if cancer is found outside of the bladder it is metastatic...Metastatic means that the cancer spread from its original spot...This can obviously in and of it self vary in degree...when organs are involved the prognosis is not as good as if the lymph nodes are effected but the chemo/radiation or other treatment gets it...If the lymph nodes were positive, but they took a good deal of them out, and now you are getting chemo...with no other known spread...your "stage" may very well change after chemo and follow up apptointments...You may have been stage 4 prior to your surgery but with successful surgery they may have gotten it...I would talk to your Dr and get this straight...but I think that you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing if the lymph nodes were positive...

I am thinking of you,
Karen

Caregiver for my Wonderful Husband Angelo, who has Metastatic Bladder Cancer.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

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15 years 10 months ago #17142 by Leigh
Stage IV Bladder Cancer or not ? was created by Leigh
Dear Forum,

I am freaking out somewhat after reading the grading and stage section of this forum. My classification states that I am at stage IV which is a suprise to me.

Am I really so stupidly ill informed over my own diagnosis or have I been in denial or just not thinking straight because of chemo brain...

Please can anyone confirm whether the stage changes once RC and removal of positive nodes have been performed?

My last CT scan was clear and the follow up scan will be late August. I have never had a bone scan which concerns me as I have read so many of you guys had this as a standard before RC.

I will honestly say also that I have been reading the "In memoriam section" also and the story of Michael Anthony Hamilton written by his mum Janice Roberts. This drew my attention as he was the same age. His story is very similar to mine as he also had a RC and neo-bladder and also had positve nodes. Two years later he sadly died in his mum's arms.

I know we are all individuals and react differently to this disease and maybe I should lay off the stats and research for a while.....

I am fighting a war in my head today....

So is it true stage IV bladder cancer is not curable....so I am terminal already with no known mets....I do not understand. Please someone help me understand....

Thanks for letting me ramble...not sure if this makes any sense anyhow ::)

Leigh




Leigh, 39
Dx July 2007
TURBT July 2007
RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & Cisplatinum

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