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bladder cancer and the option i have chosen
Well, first let me say, it has been awhile. Well so far so good, as of the 31st of may/07 i will be in for my bopsiy after 22 treatments of radiation, and 2 chemo to try and save my bladder. If all goes well, it 15 more treaments of rads and 1 chemo. I will deffintly keep all informed when i get back. Grade3 t2nomo is my cancer and i hope to have kicked its butt and sent it into hiding opr better yet, just killed it. If i have any advice for all you partners out there, its dont take no for an answer, be firm and ask many ??? if you are getting bad vibes from any of your doctors, get rid of them, there not on your side. I got rid of 2, I pay my insurance company, they are employed by me. I have found that some Drs are at the end of their time, and they have burned out. Quote” sometimes we take out a bladder and find nothing” that is an unacceptable answer. your life is not a roll of the dice, and you do have options. Use them all. Im 51 , 3 children and a mortgage, a loving wife and 3 dogs. If there is one thing i need to say is, That nobody can have cancer with you. Its your’s and your’s alone. I have not heard from some people that were close to me. I understand. But i have found people i least exspected to be there, there
suporting and listing and understanding. Even if i lose my bladder down the road this exsperence has made me a better person. Well, as the old saying of a freind of mine who has passed on, Life is not a dress rehersal.
Joeburg55 -
13 Replies
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I just wanted to say all you guys have an amazing attitude. Recently diag on Wednesday. Go for the TUR one week from today. Dr at least told me he was 95% sure it was superficial. CT scan of pelvis and adm as well as chest xray was clean. Just in 3 days lost 4 pounds and pain in stomach, sure from thinking of this constantly.
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This is to the smoking question for gene bean, I used the patch for 6 weeks and then went at it alone, it worked for me, i smoked for 35 years, so belive me, i didnt think i had it in me, but i did
Joe -
Joe I give you alot of credit for taking your stand. I am 53 and counting my RC I have had 4 major surgeries in the last 7 years. With my stage and after all my body has been through I just could not take any chances at this point in my life. My hat is off to you. Joe ;)
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Joe, When you quit smoking did you do it cold turkey or something else? Glad things are working out, except for the feet thing,,, weird,, Ginger
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Thanks Irish Guy, Well im a firm beliver in trying to keep what the good lord gave ya, I like to think that im lucky compared to some of the diag that i have seen here. I also belive that there is a place for sparing protocals in this bad situation. If you know of anyone else who has gone this route , please let me know, i would like to comunicate with them
Thanks Again
Joe -
Hi Joe,
I just wanted to say well done so far and keep strong. It takes real bravery to get through what your going through. I admire your strenght.
All the best.
Winning the battle :-)
Hi Ginger, Nice to hear from you again, well, i went for my first scope on Oct 10th, no sign of cancer, bladder a little inflamed from the radiation, otherwise cool beans. The 2nd of Nov 07, went to see the Ono, for xrays of chest and lower back, No signs of any cancer spread, so again cool beans. The only downside was my bottom of my feet became numb, The doc says it is a side effect of cisplatin and should go away, they are starting to feel better. Well now its another waite till Feb for another follow up, The real great thing that has happened is i have quit Cigaretts from March 7th,07. Keep in mind i smoked for 35 years. Just did it, so now i have alot of energy, but numb feet, go figure LOL
Further updates to follow,
keep the faith
JoeJoe,
Great news for you, stage 3 T-2 muscle invasive is what my husband had as well, he had his bladder out Sept.14, he is well on the road to recovery and doing fine with the outside bag. I applaud your strength to make an alternative decision, how did you do with the treatments, side effects etc., and no sign of cancer after a turb, correct? How much time before more tests and treatments? Ginger
Hi Alice, Its been a while but just checking to see how you have made out, Me had my first 3 month checkup, all is well.Im hoping that the fianle desision you had made on how to treat BC worked out well for ya. Keep in touch
JOEBURG55
Joe, My most sincere Congratulations to you! I really am so happy for you and your family.
Well, I guess if you can beat it and save your bladder, then I can too, right ;D
Again, Congratulations and thank you for being such a Positive influence to so many others here.
Alice
Just an update, Well i have completed my last Chemo and 15 sets of rads, Went for a biopsy, they took two plugs from the area and 3 from other areas , all came back THE BIG NEG!Cool Beans. But of course i know that i am not out of the woods, it will be alot of scopes and im sure some backward steps for alot of years. But otherwise, the Big C can Kiss my Derry air for Now ;D, LOL. feel free to contact me if you have any ?? reguarding my treatment. Thanks for you comments
Joeburg55
Pat on the back here as well Joe…great attitude.
I’m pretty much the newbie on the block today so don’t have anything to share as yet…just liked your comments and wanted to say hello and wish you the best.
I too may be having a doctor issue, too soon to tell. But you guys are opening my eyes…
Sex is still very important in our home too…and at 61 I not ready to give it up…
BTW, we are a three puppy house also…they can certainly help keep our minds focused right… ;)
I hope the results are good! You seem to have a very positive attitude. That helps a lot.
I told my Uro the other day that I feel like I have it beat only 2 months and 4 BCG treatmens later.
He said with my attitude I probably was.
Let us know how it goes.Sign In to reply.
