• Posted by Cynthia on August 9, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    More than once on this forum and in conversation with the newly diagnosed this question has came up. How do you ever learn to live with the uncertainties that a cancer diagnosis brings? Or cancer has taken over my thoughts and my life does it ever end?

    I guess the best answer I can give anyone is that yesterday was August 8th, so …….and……. my husband reminded me that August 6th was the five year anniversary of my bladder cancer dx. The day the surgeon called Ed in the surgical waiting room and said the words that changed our lives forever.” Its bladder cancer and looks invasive to me.”

    Wow I forgot how could I forget? How wonderful once again my birthday is the one date I will never forget.

    Now I will not tell you that it has been easy and that when my checkups come that I don’t hold my breath waiting to hear the all clear. But I can tell you that my cancer no longer defines my life. My diversion has become such a normal part of my life that I really don’t think about it being different any longer; it is just part of me being me. Hair grows back, incisions heal and the mind learns to deal with the unthinkable. We have learned that our imperfect life still allows us to be happy and productive, as well as look forward to the future even knowing how tenuous it may be.

    As for the uncertainty life has taught me that it is that for all of us, some just have not been slapped in the face and been reminded yet.

    So here is to five years of falling down and getting up, bending but not breaking and going forward sometimes in the dark, happy anniversary to us.


    Cynthia Kinsella
    T2 g3 CIS 8/04
    Clinical Trial
    Chemotherapy & Radiation 10/04-12/04
    Chemotherapy 3/05-5/05
    BCG 9/05-1-06
    RC w/umbilical Indiana pouch 5/06
    Left Nephrectomy 1/09
    President American Bladder Cancer Society
    mikeg replied 15 years, 5 months ago 11 Members · 17 Replies
  • 17 Replies
  • mikeg's avatar

    mikeg

    Member
    September 3, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    Hi Cynthia, It was nice to read your post and realize we are all going through the same thing. It’s coming up on 2 years for me. A friends father now has bladder cancer and I recomended this forum to him and it reminds me of a lot of what I and all of us have gone through. I do get a sour laugh when I have a cat scan and read the warnings that cat scans can cause cancer. I guess I have a black sense of humor to maintain my sanity. My oncologist told me the cancer I die from will probably not be BC.

    Mike


    Michael
    Age 58
    Stage T2-T3, muscle invasive
    Married to Eileen
    2 sons, ages 20 and 23
  • Wolfie's avatar

    Wolfie

    Member
    September 2, 2009 at 12:42 am

    thanks… I’m going for the neobladder.

  • melodie's avatar

    melodie

    Member
    September 1, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    So Bill in Philly….Wow….9/11, that’s coming up very soon. did I miss something? Did you tell us what diversion you are having on 9/11 and where? We’re here to offer support…even if you haven’t any “burning” questions. :)


    Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright
  • Wolfie's avatar

    Wolfie

    Member
    September 1, 2009 at 12:55 am

    I just found and joined this site. I’m very glad to know that there is a bladder cancer society; I got a fancy booklet of all kinds of cancer resources at the specialist’s office and was a little miffed to look at the list of all the different cancer groups, and seeing none listed for my disease.

    Don’t need to start a new thread since I don’t have any burning questions right now. I have an RC scheduled for Sept. 11 and go for pre-admission testing tomorrow. Had a TURBT in July and the doc will do a scope tomorrow as well, it’ll be interesting to see what the site looks like.

    It’s strange having this scary disease, while feeling perfectly fine after the TUR healed. Just trying to make the best of the few days left with my bladder, I guess.

  • webs's avatar

    webs

    Member
    August 31, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    rk3943,
    I am going to start a new thread for you so you can get the attention you deserve.

    Webs

  • mmc's avatar

    mmc

    Member
    August 31, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    Great post Cynthia!


    Age 54
    10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
    9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
    10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
    2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
    9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
    1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
    2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system

    My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
  • gkline's avatar

    gkline

    Member
    August 31, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    Cynthia is the leader of the pack here and her threads always bring out the best questions in all of us. I was very surprised to see two new cases coming in on this site. I wish you didn’t have to be on this site, but, WELCOME to the group. My thoughts and ALL of our thoughts are with you. Cynthia, could you transfer these two great people to a dedicated thread so we could keep the conversation directly on their question?

    If both of you are facing Bladder removal and trying to make choices, you have the most varied experts available.

    I can only say that, as a male, I have a NEO bladder and I have adjusted to it’s peculiar tendances. This has worked for me, but it is not the only answer. There are just as many success stories with other procedures and the people here are very knowledgable about all aspect of every choice.
    The women on this site will have their own choices about which procedure is the one for them. I guess the best advice is “there is no WRONG one”
    Welcome to a new world, you WILL have friends here, and YOU WILL SURVIVE. Like most people on this site, You will be a stronger person for having been through this. We are here for you.
    George Kline


    Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
    Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.

    08/08/08…RC neo bladder
    09/09/09…New Hip
    =
    New Man! [/size]

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    August 31, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    Hi! I am new to the website and I am facing Bladder removal in a few days and can’t make up my mind which way to go. My surgeon has said that at this point all three ways are an option for me. I am an active 65 year old woman and I would love to hear from anyone with their stories on the options. rk3943

  • gkline's avatar

    gkline

    Member
    August 12, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    Cynithia, you are a true inspiration. Congratualtions on your anniversary and, may I say, we want to hear of MANY MANY more! This is my FIRST Anniversary ( August 6th) My 30th Wedding Anniversary was August 4th.
    I guess the Very proximity of the Anniversaries means a great deal. My wife has been THE ROCK. She Celebrated both Anniversaries with enthusiasm.

    Thank you Cynthia for this site, Thanks for your inspiring story. And, here’s to so MANY MORE Great Years. Thanks for pushing all of us to GET THROUGH IT!:dry: :dry: :dry:


    Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
    Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.

    08/08/08…RC neo bladder
    09/09/09…New Hip
    =
    New Man! [/size]

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    August 12, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    Congratulations Cynthia. May you have many more birthdays.
    Roberta

  • gracie's avatar

    gracie

    Member
    August 11, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    I often think of one of my favorite quotes – ‘ If you want to make God laugh, tell her what your plans are.’ The uncertainty can be daunting at times but I’ve learned to ride out the fears when they visit me – usually in the middle of the night when I’m most suseptible. I find they go quickly if you let them.

    Your words are easy to relate to and very validating. I’m often amazed at the resilience and strenth of the human spirit. I look back now and just say ‘Wow’.

    But the celebrations are wonderful! And boy do we deserve them!

    Congratualtions!

    Gracie

  • webs's avatar

    webs

    Member
    August 11, 2009 at 2:35 am

    Cynthia you are one amazing woman. I say lets celebrate. Of course I love to party!B)

    Pat, brothers should never be that rude.:P

    Sunflower, could you start a new thread? We would really like to be there for you. Where are you at and who are you seeing? ((Hugs)) I know this is a hard time.

    Webs

  • StarraeAday1's avatar

    StarraeAday1

    Member
    August 10, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    Hi Cynthia and everyone,

    I was DX’ed Monday Aug. 3 with invasive BC and I am going today to find out what steps I need to put in place to fight this monster. I am SCARED,SCARED, SCARED but coming here and reading that you all are surviving this is giving me hope. Will be checking in soon.

    Lynn

  • sydelle's avatar

    sydelle

    Member
    August 10, 2009 at 3:06 am

    Cynthia, thank you SO much….you are my role model, as a caretaker for my husband. I push us to enjoy every sqeezable moment of life, THANKS sydelle

  • cynthia's avatar

    cynthia

    Administrator
    August 10, 2009 at 12:02 am

    Melodie,

    Karen Greene who is on our board of directors just celebrated her ninth year with an Indiana. By the way she was stage IV…..


    Cynthia Kinsella
    T2 g3 CIS 8/04
    Clinical Trial
    Chemotherapy & Radiation 10/04-12/04
    Chemotherapy 3/05-5/05
    BCG 9/05-1-06
    RC w/umbilical Indiana pouch 5/06
    Left Nephrectomy 1/09
    President American Bladder Cancer Society
Page 1 of 2

Sign In to reply.