Bladder cancer at age 17 ):

11 years 1 month ago #44173 by Heather92
Replied by Heather92 on topic Bladder cancer at age 17 ):
Thank you for doing that for me.

Yes it is very important that I have my checkups. I'm going to re apply for Medicaid.

I've heard from a few people that it can spread to other organs in my body.

It's scary because you never know what is going to happen. I was perfectly fine and then I bled really bad when I went to the bathroom (sorry if that's to much info) and I actually found out that I was pregnant that same day and thought it was a miscarriage. But I didn't. I had my tumor removed when I was about 2 or 3 months along and I wasn't sure if I would lose the baby or not. But I didn't luckily.

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11 years 1 month ago #44172 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Bladder cancer at age 17 ):
Hello, Heather!! I took the liberty of moving your post to the "non-invasive" category where, I think, more people will see it.

It is very unusual, as you know, for someone your age to be diagnosed with bladder cancer, but it does happen.

What is VERY important for you to understand is that one of the primary problems with bladder cancer is that IT COMES BACK. I understand the problem that your lack of insurance is causing, but somehow you need to have those exams every six months. This is a very serious cancer if it gets out of hand, and the only way to avoid this is to have the exams.

Could you contact the urologist who was treating you and explain your situation? Is there a medical school near you? Can you go to your local non-profit hospital and consult with a social worker? Perhaps some others who are reading this might have suggestions.

Wishing you the best.

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #44171 by Heather92
Bladder cancer at age 17 ): was created by Heather92
Hi my name is heather, I'm not exactly sure if I'm doing this right. I just discovered this website about 30 minutes ago. Anywho... I'm 20 and I was diagnosed with bladder cancer when I was 17 years old. I'm not exactly sure how I got it and neither does the doctors. I had a tumor removed October of 2010. I am suppose to be going for check ups every 6 months but unfortunately I no longer have insurance. And the doctor said that if I have any sign of another tumor then I will need chemo. But I guess I'll never know what's going on inside of my body until I get approved for insurance again. In my state, the youngest person they have diagnosed with bladder cancer was a 23 year old male. I feel like a freak of nature or something. How does this happen to someone who was 17 at the time, and I don't smoke, drink or work around any type of chemicals..?

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