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Stage II bladder cancer
Hello,
I was diognosed on 10/14/07 with cancer that has invaded the muscle of the bladder and I’m scheduled for radical cystectomy surgury on 11/14. The good news, so far, is that a chest X-ray, bone scan and CT scan do not indicate and any spread of the cancer, and for the most part, I am in generally good health. However, I am a 67 year old male (6 ft-160 lbs)who smoked for over 40 years and just quit two months ago. My biggest problem is stress, which I try to alleviate with walks, household chores and exercise. My wife, Pat, has also been a grest help. Does anybody have any other suggestions? Also, my appetite is poor and I have to force food down.
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13 Replies
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Peter,
Hey, and you just quit smoking as well, thats enough stress right there,,you have a double whammy. Gene had his last cigarette before walking into the Cleveland Clinic the morning of surgery..keep busy busy busy,,,get some nicotine gum, anything that helps,,I told Gene we should fly down to Arizona to help you through, wouldn’t mind the sun and the mountains and seeing you through…I thought I would have to knock him out 2 days prior to surgery, his angst was awful..call us anytime…we are now pouch related..Ginger or soon to be -
Correction on date. I go in on 11/14 for th RC. Lots a week somehow.
Peter
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Thanks again for everybody’s responses and I am taking your advice and suggestions. At this point, the initial tests CAT, Bone scan and chest X-ray do not show any spread. Nevertheles, my urologist graded the tumor, but could not assess any level of spread, etc. I go in for the RC this Wednesday (11/09)and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my lymph nodes, etc do not show any cancer. While I have a high level of stress, I have no pain or discomfort and I’m able to urinate a lot better since the TRP. I keep telling myself to take it one day at a time. I continue to force food down and am drinking a lot of V-8 vegetable juice. As a side note, I have a great urologist (Michael Chasin)who practices in Mesa, AZ. I saw him on Wednesday (10/10/07), on Thursday (10/11/07) he identified the tumor(s) and gave me immediate relief via a catheter and leg bag. He performed the TRP and identified cancer on Saturday (10/13/07, and put me in touch with a top surgeon who I met on 11/01. I don’t think I would have gotten an appointment so soon with the surgeon without Dr. Chasin’s referral and reputation in the medical community. Sorry about blathering away, but it seems to help the stress. Thanks to everybody that has responded to my post with help and advice, particularly Gene and Ginger who have provided such tremendous support.
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[quote author=PeterK link=topic=1384.msg9969#msg9969 date=1194449869]
Hello,I was diognosed on 10/14/07 with cancer that has invaded the muscle of the bladder and I’m scheduled for radical cystectomy surgury on 11/14. The good news, so far, is that a chest X-ray, bone scan and CT scan do not indicate and any spread of the cancer, and for the most part, I am in generally good health. However, I am a 67 year old male (6 ft-160 lbs)who smoked for over 40 years and just quit two months ago. My biggest problem is stress, which I try to alleviate with walks, household chores and exercise. My wife, Pat, has also been a grest help. Does anybody have any other suggestions? Also, my appetite is poor and I have to force food down.
[/quote]Hi Peter,
Sorry about the scary dx, but it sounds like you’re on the right path, and it’s great to have a supportive wife there too. About stress and crappy appetite, these two things continue to haunt me as well, though my treatments for breast cancer ended 2 yrs ago (after 5 yrs of anti=hormone drugs). I realize this is a different situation than yours is, but stress is stress. I have valiums in my nighttable, sometimes they sit there unopened for months, sometimes I need one to sleep, sometimes I need one to take the edge off and I always need them before going to the doctor for anything- I have severe doctor and needle phobia! Anyway, my point is that it’s possible to have something like an anti-anxiety med on hand, and doesn’t mean you’re weak, a wimp or will get addicted.
As for poor appetite, I agree with Joe and Pat who said eat a quarter pounder or shake if that is what will go down. This isn’t the time to worry about whether it’s organic etc…just eat what appeals to you. If it weren’t for dark chocolate I would have faded away by now. :P
It’s probably stress that’s causing this. And it is totally normal to be stressed when pondering cystectomy. T2, NO, MO is a good diagnosis, all things being relative. You can have every expectation of a total cure with good surgery. Life will change…but I never cease to be amazed at the resilience of the human spirit and how people adapt and survive.
Take care,
Wendy -
Hi, My name is Joe, I had grade 3 t2n0m0, i also have stress attacks better known as axiety attacks, (cant spell for crap)And when i was first told that i had it, my appitite went way off,I can tell you this, if its Quater pounder with cheese that you will eat, then eat it. It may not be the healthist thing for ya, but you need to eat. When the Chemo Monster shows up, he is going to take your want of food away quick. so gain some weight before its time. Also for me it was ice fishing, Even when i felt at my lowest i went, it just lifted my spirits, it good exsersise and it helped keep my mind off of things.
Good Luck
Joe -
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your post. I will keep you in my prayers. Hang in there. Don’t stop eating, force it down if you have to keep up your strength and not lose too many pounds. May our doctors get all our cancers and we live cancer free going forward.
Regards,
PeterK
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[quote author=PeterK link=topic=1384.msg9983#msg9983 date=1194465485]
Thanks for your responses. To be frank, I am scared to death, but I am dealing with it. The diversion I am having will require a bag outside the body. The surgeon is very experienced.
[/quote]Hi Peter, I am just newly diagnosed and can relate to your emotions, I am scared too and trying to deal with it. It is extremely stressful, my husband has been a rock. Reading this forum has been a great source of comfort too.
Good Luck
Maria x -
Peter,
If you would like to talk to Gene I will pm you his cell number ,,, OF COURSE THEY TOOK HIS PROSTATE, AND ALL LYMPH NODES THEY COULD SEE,, NO CANCER, RECOVERY FROM CANCER 80 PERCENT FOR LIFE,,,,check your personal messages…Ginger -
Thanks Ginger,
Your post came at a good time as I was in the process of losing it. It gave me a renewed sense of what my priorities should be and I am trying not to obsess on the unknown. Thank you again for the advice and your concern. Good luck to your husband. I’ll stay in touch.
PeterK
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Peter,
You are 67, my husband was 66, smoker for years, and diagnosed July 3rd, this summer, with Stage 3 T-2 muscle invasive, we to were scared to death, the waititng is the worst but it seems you are moving along quickly. He had no chemo no radiation, NO SIGNS OF CANCER ELSEWHERE.. hE ALSO HAS THE BAG,, NOT A PROBLEM, IT WORKS WELL, his bladder surgery was Sept. 14 th at the Cleveland Clinic, he stayed 6 days, his surgery was 6 hours, they have a laproscopic surgeon Dr. Gill, he removed Gene’s bladder laprosocically , therefore only 4 slits rather than the 10 inch cut, then Dr. Campbll did the bag diversion. The first few days are rough, but not bad, getting the bowels going is the primary concern , they have a mind of there own after being asleep. it sounds like your wife is on board for all of this so not to worry, she just has to be there for you, and learn to change your bag, the stoma nurses are important, be sure to set up home visits for 6 weeks, twice a week, they will get you in the bag that is best for your frame and size. Gene lost 30 pounds total, he has gained back 15 of that, chocolate milk shakes, so the first few week are slow but you will see improvement every week, we are at week 7 out of surgery and doing most everything we did before. What scares you the most? and how can i help your wife? be glad you got it early, some aren’t so fortuneate….what can we tell you to help? Ginger Beane -
Thanks for your responses. To be frank, I am scared to death, but I am dealing with it. The diversion I am having will require a bag outside the body. The surgeon is very experienced.
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I agree with Patricia. Upon diagnosis, I went from 120 to 112. After an RC, I slipped down to 94. Upon recovering, my weight never went higher than 107. So do try to eat. You need the strength.
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Well you’re in shock…..but its good that things are moving quickly. You said you were Stage 11…did they say low or high grade?…i’m suspecting high grade since a cystectomy is on the schedule. Well you’re doing all the right things to keep busy but you do need to eat as most people lose about 20 lbs after this surgery. Personally before my surgery i beefed up by eating all sorts of yummy bad things for you like ice cream and shakes(throw in some Ensure..you can’t taste it with the ice cream) and made sure i threw in some protein with some eggs in the morning. I actually gained l5 lbs which was good as i couldn’t afford to lose 20 lbs.
You’ve said nothing about the type of diversion you are asking for?
Just a note to make sure you are with a surgeon that does this procedure all the time and in an excellent facility. Pat
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