-
So many questions and concerns!
My dad, age 66, was diagnosed two weeks ago and we are reeling with questions and concerns! He thought he was having kidney stone issues and went to the ER Dec. 30. After an ultrasound and subsequent CT scan they found a mass in his bladder. He saw the urologist 10 days later who did a cystoscopy in the office and diagnosed him with bladder cancer. I do not know if a biopsy was done during cysto or not. He was scheduled for a TURB four weeks later. Is it normal for surgery to take place four weeks after diagnosis? Dad had a bone scan and chest x-ray last Thursday and today we found out they want another more detailed chest test. I am not clear if it is a CT or a PET scan. Dad’s pain level is steadily increasing and he is upping pain meds weekly. I have been reading like crazy but I feel like I don’t know enough to ask the right questions.
Thanks,
Tina -
10 Replies
-
Pray and be Supportive is the way to go. Each visit along the way is another step that leads you to a course of action.
We will also pray and be supportive. Maybe the multiple voices will carry some weight for your dad.
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]
Finally heard from the doc this afternoon and the PET scan is set for Feb. 3. Next week Dad has two appointments, one on Wed for pre-op visit and then Friday for the PET and then surgery the following Wednesday. What else is there to do at this point other than pray and be supportive?
You may want to ask the doctor why not do a complete PET scan (head to toe). That’s what they have me. You already have the radioactive stuff injected and you already are on the machine, it’s just a matter of starting the image sooner and stopping the image later. My insurance had no issue approving that.
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.
The lungs are the most critical element right now. cancer tends to look for the filters of the body. If all goes well with the PET scan of the lungs, then the bladder is the next step..
I am wishing for a negative report from the PET scan (they have it backwards in the medical world……. negative is good)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]
Thank you everyone for your replies. This has been a new experience. It seems the wheels turn slowly and yet we feel such an urgency. We are still waiting for the insurance company to approve the PET scan of his lungs before he gets the appointment. I am certainly hoping there is a response today. The TURB is scheduled for the 8th. At this stage I am more worried about his lungs.
Tina
Tina, So sorry about your dad, and all that your family is going through. There is a ton of info on this site if you know where to access it. You can go back and read entire threads of members here from start through their fight with cancer. It can be a great road map for your dad’s cancer fight.
Wishing you and your family the best.
Duke
Tina, Lets hope its something else showing as a mass. My CT showed allot of mass that turned out to be blood stuck in the bladder. As it turned out I had a cancerous tumor also. (just my luck) As for the pain it was caused from the limited ability to pass urine.
After my cystoscopy the blood came out in my urine as huge clots broken up by the scope during the process. When they did the TURBS the blood was gone and so was the mass. Here’s hoping for a better DX after the TURBS.+
Hang in there! Were with ya!
Age 55
Diagnosed BC 12/20/2011 Ta No Mo 0a Non-Invasive At age 48
“Please don’t cry because it is over….. Smile because it happened!” {Dr. Seuss} :)
Tina, I am so sorry that you and your family are facing this. Maybe a little clarification will help….During the cystoscopy, the urologist identified what he thinks is most likely cancer. In order to make a definitive diagnosis, as well as to assess the stage (extent) and the grade (agressiveness) of the tumor, it is necessary to take multiple samples and send them to a pathologist. At the same time, the tumor(s) may or may not be completely removed. This is the TURB.
The pathologist will examine the samples and make a definitive diagnosis. It is not unusual for them to decide to do a second TURB several weeks later to be sure of the diagnosis. Then you father and the doctors will be able to chart a course of treatment.
Hope that the information on our site is able to help you find your way through all of this. And be sure to ask questions as they arise…we were all novices at one time!!!
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
Tina,
Taking four weeks to get a TURBT is not unusual at all.
As Catherine said, once he gets the TURBT and all the test results, there will be something more to say. He should sign releases so he can get copies of all of his test results.
Until then, it is going to be tough waiting for everything to happen and this is obviously a pretty traumatic time for everyone.
Mike
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.
Hello Tina… Welcome to our site and I am so sorry to hear about your Dad’s diagnosis. I know your world has been turned upside down and all of us can relate to those first fearful days and weeks of hearing those dreadful words. I hope he has found relief from the pain he is having. If you are not comfortable waiting four weeks, talk to your doctor about that.
The TURBT will remove the tumor and the resulting pathology report will determine what needs to happen next. The doctor will then know what type of cancer it is, what grade and stage it is, and will recommend a treatment plan.
A second opinion is highly recommended after the pathology report is in, even if you have complete confidence in your doctor. It is best to go to a major hospital/center who deals with many bladder cases each year. If you tell us where you are located, we can suggest some possible facilities in your area or region.
When your Dad gets a definitive diagnosis after the TURBT, we will be better able to answer your specific questions. In the meantime, feel free to post any questions you may have and we will try to answer them.
Best wishes… CatherineTURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TNSign In to reply.
