Just \"diagnosed\" yesterday - 37 and very scared

Yes, I was definitely so very thankful to hear that the Doctor said I am going to be ok. He said this polyp/tumor was as close to benign as it gets, so I can't imagine the lab reports would/could show anything that far off from what he said (and actually saw, of course.) One of the most agonizing parts of all of this has obviously been (and still is) the waiting, as I still feel as though my life is "on hold" in a way.

All those who have been reading my posts will be happy to know that I have made contact w/ a Psychiatrist who specializes in OCD and anxiety disorders, and I'm trying to get the soonest available appointment w/ her.

I'm planning to get back to work next week also, so I hope to have this whole ordeal in the rear-view mirror very soon.

Barring anything unusual on the path, the Doctor told my wife that my follow up could be in 3-4 months for an in office Cysto, etc.

Jd,
I am so happy that it sounds good so far for you! Sounds like your gonna be ok! Yes you need help with anxiety and that's my next step as well. I have been really worked up this whole time and the doctors gave me some Valiums which help with the muscle spasms as well and I have noticed they have helped me with my anxiety also. My whole family suffers from anxiety and it really does take over your life especially in stressful situations. Like I said before those tests are not a for sure thing until they get it out and sent off to pathology. It's a blessing in itself to be caught while being so small. Mine was 5mm but on the pictures of my bladder they gave me it was the same color but looked like a raised bump on my bladder. Did they give you a picture of it? I will keep praying that we both get benign pathology results.
Mel

JD, good news, glad it's over for you! 1mm to 2mm sounds way better than 5mm...for some reason I was thinking 5cm which would not be good. Mine was about an inch, so if yours is under a 1/4 inch you should be just fine... you are just stuck having to keep up on your check ups.

I wasn't much better in the recovery area myself (or so I heard.) In fact, when I first got to the Pre-Op area at 6AM, I was so frantic I almost knocked over one of the computer stations (by accident, of course) b/c I ran into it amidst a panic of sorts. Not one of my finer moments.

Yes, I have been thinking of you as well. I'm really sorry to hear about the post-op issues you've been experiencing. Did they give you some of the things Mike was mentioning to help? They told me that I might have some after effects as well, but so far just some discomfort and burning w/ a little blood.

Here's my update from today:

I had mine this morning and just got back home around lunch time. By all accounts mine went smoothly and the Dr. told my wife (while I was still coming out of my fog) that everything in my bladder looked fine and he was able to remove the polyp/tumor (apparently it was 1-2mm, not 5mm as previously thought) without incident. He told my wife that it is a Papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP for short) and that this type of growth is more common in people my age. He told my wife "it is as close to benign as it gets" and that it is more like a "pre-low grade" or "pre-cancerous" polyp. Of course, I still have to play the pathology waiting game as well, but I definitely feel much better knowing it is out of me.

I also know that I absolutely must address my anxiety problems without delay, because they are truly debilitating and will continue to do me great disservice if I do not learn the necessary skills to manage them. I'm already seeking out referrals for Psychiatrists, so I hope to find a good one.

Thank you so much to everyone for your support and positive thoughts. I hope I can offer the same to others.

I'll keep you posted on my progress and will follow yours as well.

I will likely have my follow up check in a few months (which I guess is the standard protocol.)

JD