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Just diagnosed with BC and a bit confused
I was diasgnosed in May 2014. 2 surgerys later and I have just had my second BCG injection. Lots of pain urinating since May. I have aggressive type T-2. I am tired all the time and starting to feel alone and I am not looking forward to anything. Almost decided not to have any more treatment. I guess I am starting to be depressed. My wife is an angel and has supported me all along.I also know this is a never ending issue that will come back at some point and then start all over again. I am still working 40 hours per week. My question is, what can I do to snap out of it and feel better about the future and have something to look forward to?
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9 Replies
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So sorry to have to welcome you to our group!!
Probably the tumor is sort of like a mushroom rising up from the bladder lining…that is the most common type. The TURB IS the way that they do a biopsy. The urologist will remove the tumor and any other “suspicious” spots he may find and will send it to the pathologist for analysis. Only after the pathologist’s report is received will the uro, and you, know exactly what the situation is. The pathology report will identify the grade of the tumor (how aggressive it might be) and whether it has remained localized or started to invade the muscle. These results will help the uro to determine the best treatment plan.
Often the doctor will recommend a second TURB in about a month; it is not uncommon to still have questions after the first.
Many urologists do a “wash” of the bladder after the TURB with a drug such as mitomycin to assure that no small tumor pieces are left.
IF the pathology report indicates a single, low-grade tumor (very common in bladder cancer) there may be no additional treatment at this time. Your husband will, however, be scheduled for checkups every three months and it is very important that he keep these!! Many bladder cancers can be successfully treated, but they do tend to come back….if this happens, you want to be “on it” ASAP. If it is high grade, or there are multiple tumors, additional treatments such as BCG may be recommended. I wouldn’t worry about that now.
Blood in the urine is the most common sign of bladder cancer and should never be ignored.
Best of luck to you both, and feel free to ask any questions you wish here. All of us have been where you are now and understand the anxiety and trepidation you are feeling.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
Good Morning to all.
My husband is due to have a TURP next Monday to remove the quarter size tumor in his bladder. The doctor didn’t do a biopsy but he told us he is 100% sure it is cancer. The doctor said something about a bladder wash right after the surgery. What exactly is this ?
I know that any size of a tumor is bad but is one the size of a quarter considered large or what ?
I had hoped and prayed not to hear the C word, but now that we know what is goin on we just have to take one day at a time.
I thought that there was more symptoms to bc than just urinating of blood, which my husband had done on and off for the past year…
Hi Southwest,
Now you have a lot of friends that have been faced with exactly what you are going through. Sorry any of us have to be here, but I have found so much information, support and shear knowledge on this site.
Human nature to have self pity and of course, shock! Reading through all the history on this site will help you through this. Nothing like reading about people that have been where you are today, and asking as many questions, or if you just want to complain, that is ok too.
I can certainly remember all my emotions when I was dx’d, but after several people helped me sort things out on this site, I felt ready to beat this stupid bladder cancer.
Come aboard and ask or complain, we are all here for you!
Nancy
Nancy S
Ta CIS
dx Ta 11/06
dx Ta CIS 10/07
Hello Southwest.
Soooo Sorry to welcome you to the site. But WELCOME!
I know the feeling of frustration, and depression caused by bc(bladder cancer)
The first word of cancer sounds like a giant hammer on your physch. For a long time I would vow to get up every day and FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT! Only to find that a day later I was wallowing in the feeling that this was all a shell game as the cancer would win in the end. It was kind of a roller coaster.So what do we do about the roller coaster of emotion that accompanies this long fight? I guess the song says it best “Roll With IT!”
During my cancer treatments (2TURBs and Bladder Removal) I worked a full time job as a new car dealer and; Sometimes it made me forget the cancer……. sometimes I fell into a “What the hell am I doing?” phase.
Try as I might, I couldn’t keep the self pity away forever.
But I did fiend a few things that worked for me. And you can use them too.
1) I TALKED about it. With my wife(especially)kids, close friends. I even let my employees and customers know I had cancer and I was going to beat it.
2) I formed a bond with my wife as a team member. She was my Rock. I told her EVERYTHING and we never held back. She also suffered along with me and we supported each other when times got tough.
3) We(the team) took charge of our health care. We kept a notebook and had a powwow after each Dr. visit. Just to make sure we got the same info from the visit. there were times when we challenged the Dr. if we felt he was treating us as a Number. She protected me and Prodded me thru the surgeries and the recovery. I cannot tell you how important this step is.
4) I was allowed to wallow in short bursts of self pity. Surprisingly it helped me cope. Then, my team would tell me to “Get over it” and pull my eyes up to all that I had to live for. That became the reality check that got me going.
5) I found this site. Filled with people who have been thru all kinds of stuff. They can help you find your way. They care about getting you the BEST treatment and keeping you focused on surviving. And we do survive dammit! Just last weekend I won 2 races at Watkins Glen in the SCCA weekend. We are survivors and never let this cancer thing beat us. And apparently we won’t let anyone else beat us either.Thanks for reading. If you need sympathy…… we are here.
If you need a kick in the pants……. We provide that too.Sincerely
George
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]
Don·t give up on the treatments- unpleasant though they may be, it is not forever. Speak to your doctor about the pain and irritation level, there are medications that will help. And the schedule of treatment is not written in stone – if you still have bad side effects when your next treatment is due, speak with your doctor about delaying the next instillation until things have settled a bit.They can also reduce the dosage of bcg, if it is really bad. Very important is that you drink plenty of wáter – the more dilute the urine the less it irritates – and side effects seem to fade faster- downside is that you have to pee a lot more often, but it hurts less.The feeling cold and achiness is also a side effect, but it does go away eventually. All these effects are your body building up defences to fight first the bcg, but then the cáncer cells. Whilst I appreciate that it is really hard to get your mind off the cáncer, particularly when you have to keep making so many pee stops, once you have finished this round of treatment, try and get out to do things that take your mind off it. The depression itself makes you feel tired, but don·t let it spoil your enjoyment of life.
Diane
Thanks for getting back. I do feel tired after, for about three days. I am also very cold most of the time now. By Wednesday I start to feel better then on Friday it sarts all over again. The catheter is sarting to hurt going in and last friday I started leaking a little but by Saturday it stoped. I try not to let on like I am having any pain and when asked how I am, I tell them fine. I’m not. I hurt all the time, cant sleep, up all night in the bathroom dreading having to go because of the pain. I will ask about the Zoloft and see if that is something I should consider.
Hello Sara Anne, how are you? I love to read your writing, very thoughtful and kind. I found out that my husband’s Dr. Isn’t specialized in bladder CA. However, he is the best urologist in town. Thanks again for your help!
I thought that your post deserved its own thread, so I moved it!
So sorry that you have to be here. A lot of us can sympathize with you…we have all been where you are. I remember when I was first diagnosed and both my urologist and my primary care doc asked if I didn’t think I was depressed. That made me a bit angry….DIDN’T I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE DEPRESSED?
You are started on a “new reality” but you can, and will, become accustomed to it. And you have every right to feel discouraged and depressed….no one expects you to be delighted with the situation.
A few things to remember….Bladder cancer can be treated and controlled, if you keep up with your therapies and exams. Yes, it does have a habit of returning, but if you are vigilant you and your doctor will keep on top of it. Even if it does reach a point where the best thing is bladder removal, you can still have a long and comfortable life…there are many on this Forum who have done this. Another thing to remember is that one of the common side effects of BCG is fatigue. And when you are already a bit down, having your “get up and go” just plain get up and go can really drag you down. Just take things now a day at a time….your job is to get well, get through the BCG, and come out the other side. The fatigue is one sign that the BCG is working. As it reacts with the bladder lining and with your tumors the pain should eventually recede.
Please do not give up on this. Your condition is very treatable and it is well worth the discomfort that comes with the treatments.
Please feel free to share your feelings and ask any questions you wish.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
Swestph1, I’m so sorry to hear about your cancer dx. My husband also dx with bladder cancer in May. He started bcg treatment 2 weeks ago. So far, he handled treatment very well with little side effects. He also started taking Zoloft daily! it seems helping him with stress. You may check with your Doctor to see if they can help you with depression. Best wishes to you!
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