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Does anyone know?
I hear I have low grade BC . does that mean anything better than another grade?
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4 Replies
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[quote author=tahoemom link=topic=2113.msg15679#msg15679 date=1208405510]
I hear I have low grade BC . does that mean anything better than another grade?
[/quote]Hi,
Yes, it means you have to get used to this because you can get old and die in your sleep. My sister had a low grade tumor, 3 cm, in ’98, she had one (or was it two) recurs the first year and has now been clean since ’99. She was a smoker, got dxed at 49.
The follow ups are for life because there is always a small risk that a low grade tumor can return with changed characteristics but this is actually quite rare…follow ups get further apart the longer a person is clear.
The biopsy and path report will tell you more about what is going on. The best outcome would be a single papillary tumor, 3 cm or less, transitional cell and no rare types, no ‘carcinoma in situ/CIS’ (this ups risk). That’s what my sister had and she is fine, but the first year was horrible for us- we’d just lost another sister to cancer (breast) and didn’t exactly know how to remain hopeful in the face of a cancer diagnosis, having lost our father as kids.
I personally was very suspicious when her doctor simply removed the tumor and sent her home. I researched so much I caused myself carpal tunnel; got so involved, read everything I could until finally…I could trust her doctor’s choice. (imagine me…second guessing Sloan Kettering?)
Before you go on any kind of info hunt, be sure you know the exact diagnosis or the articles and studies on the subject might scare you to death, which would be a shame since you probably have a tumor that won’t ever kill you otherwise…not to detract from the initial terror any cancer diagnosis brings…but there are many different types of bladder cancer, and your situation could well turn out to be less dire than it seems now.
Take care, hang in there. Cancer is not an immediate death sentence, it just seems that way when it’s you.
Wendy -
I know how you feel. I wish those shows weren’t fiction, but unfortunately they are.
Cancer is real. But with the correct diagnosis, the right Dr, and good treatment, you will be on the right path.
Get some sleep, tomorrow as they say is another day.
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.
Ok, Karen. Sleep seems remote , but I am very tired . I will try to lay down.
I want to be cured like they do on a space show…just a couple of beamings up and your back on the mothership :(
Tahoemom,
From my understanding Low Grade is always better that High Grade when it comes to BC.
That being said, I know that your head is spinning…But you need to get some sleep tonight, meet with your Dr tomorrow, and get as much information as possible. You can ask for your pathology report and find out what his suggested treatment is, it will be much easier to help you and answer your questions. Try to rest…the more rest you get, the sharper you will be tomorrow… there will be a lot of information for you to gather and process, and a lot of questions you need answers to. Take notes. It helps, since your mind will have a hard time processing it all. If possible take a spouse, friend or relative with you. They may ask a question you can’t think of or remember something you forget.
Be sure to post tomorrow when you have new information.
Wishing you the best,
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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