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Reassurance
I am a 40 year old female with twin 6 year olds. I have not been diagnosed with bladder cancer; however, I am in the process of a evaluation. I an terrified because I had colon cancer 1.5 years ago, which was treated with surgery and yearly colonoscopies. Now I fear the C word.
I have had many UTIs, kidney stones, irritable bowel, some minor hear issues and the colon cancer mentioned above. In January I had symptoms of a UTI but two rounds of antibiotics didn’t fix it and my urine sample was negative for bacteria. I was tested for yeast, strep B and vaginal infections. They were all negative.
I was then referred to a urologist. He took a urine sample which showed blood (micropscopic), and did a bladder ultrasound, performed urine cytology (not back). I am having a CT scan on Thursday and a Cystoscopy on Tuesday. He didn’t tell me he thinks I have cancer, but due to my history, my mind goes there.
I am having constant urinary pain and vaginal pain. However, the anxiety is getting the worst of me. I have lost 10 lbs and cannot sleep. I know I have to wait for the results, but I can’t stop thinking about cancer and my children. The colon cancer was shocking and scary but was treatable. I know I haven’t been diagnosed with bladder cancer, but I would appreciate any positive feedback. I feel so alone and terrified.
Thank you,
Jill -
3 Replies
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Jillybean78
I understand how hard a second cancer diagnosis hits.One is enough for anyone.
The doctors also seem to think, “hmmmm, might be a second cancer” – just like us.
Don’t let any one test cause a panic. You are really going to have to wait for the full workup to have a real answer – including the wait for a pathology report, if the doc decides that a biopsy is necessary. In my experience, once you have one cancer, EVERYTHING that could be suspicious gets biopsied. It just means that the doc is being cautious, careful to miss nothing.
Cytology is a “screening” test. It has lots of false positives and false negatives. Try to not be alarmed by a positive result – it just provides an indication to investigate further, which you are already doing.
You know you have to wait – we all know we have to wait – we are all supposed to not worry. We all worry anyway, We cant help it. Just remember, worry does no good – and when you forget, go hug your kids – get some positive thoughts going to ward off the negative thoughts.
Hang in there. You have been here before, you know you can get through this uncertain medical situation too. IF it is cancer, it is treatable.
Best
Jack
6/2015 HG Papillary & CIS
3 Years and 30 BCG/BCG+Inf
Tis CIS comes back.
BC clear as of 5/17 !
RCC found in my one & only kidney 10/17
Begin Chemo; Cisplatin and Gemzar
8/18 begin Chemo# 3
Begin year 4 with cis
2/19 Chemo #4
9/19 NED again :)
1/2020 CIS is back
Tried Keytruda, stopped by side effects
Workin on a new plan for 2021
Hi Alan.
Thank you for your kind message. I will try stay positive and try not to think about it too much until I get my results. I appreciate you reminding me it’s beatable. One day at a time . . . .
Warmly,
Jill
Jill,
Welcome and sorry for the problems. I am not female so I am sure some will chime in and males can’t fully understand what our fairer sex of our human race faces at time. As you wrote you have been through the ringer with your past medical history. I encourage you to re-read a key point you made and it applies to bladder cancer also: treatable. I will add beatable. As your URO indicates there a high possibility it is something else.
It is one day at a time! You have stared this beast down with the colon and we simply pray this nothing sinister you face. Keep posting and asking as you go. Someone will read and add “been there done that also” to help and listen.
DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.Sign In to reply.
