Home › Forums › All Categories › Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer › Treatment begins at last …………………..

  • Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

    Treatment begins at last …………………..

    Posted by Maria on February 16, 2008 at 4:25 am

    Start of Discussion
    0 of 0 replies June 2018
    Now

    It seems surreal to say that I am actually starting treatment for my BC.
    For me months of talking about chemo and RC options have been ‘words’ now it is real and I am not afraid to say that I am scared, nervous and very apprehensive of what lies ahead for me during the next few months.

    For those of you who have supported me during the past few months of my journey, guided me and pointed me in the right direction when the collective mismanagement of my cancer became increasingly obvious, I want to say thank you!

    I have learned so much from people on this forum who are at various levels of BC, chemo and surgery. I know everyone responds differently to the same treatments and this has been interesting to learn and helped me prepare psychologically for anticipated problems and possible complications.

    I start chemo next week, it has been delayed due to the cancer spreading within my bladder (due to lack of care) resulting in a blocked kidney (which would not have occurred had the right course of action been implemented in December, (these tumors grow rapidly)
    I now have tubes in my back and a urine drainage bag which could have been prevented had I not have had the unfortunate experience of meeting with an incompetent doctor………..ANGRY………too right I am.

    My energy is now focused on me and not the past. I have at last a great team at the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center. I will have chemo at the local hospital.
    I have my ‘chemo diary’ and the relevant information.
    I will be on high dose MVAC and RC planned for end May…………….those words are now reality, it does seem surreal!

    replied 16 years, 7 months ago 5 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies

  • Guest
    February 25, 2008 at 5:26 pm

    Wtg Maria and I wish you the best and getting the chemo now b4 the RC in your situation is the best thing you could be doing. I had the high intesity MVAC chemo and and on my third day of my chemo week I got a shot of neulasta to keep the WBC up

    I’m sure you have these links but I’ll leave them anyways

    http://www.drugs.com/neulasta.html

    http://www.chemocare.com/bio/list_by_acronym.asp?acronym=MVAC

    Sounds like you’re ready to go a good team and all that is great I wish you the best of luck Maria and you will do just fine. Cheers, Joe ;)

  • stephany

    Member
    February 23, 2008 at 3:43 am

    What a great idea! I’m going to suggest it to him. I just got my sewing machine fixed (after 20 years of not sewing at all), and he can make one for himself.

    Stephany in Iowa

  • maria

    Member
    February 19, 2008 at 4:48 am

    Hi Stephany, I had the nephrostomy 2 weeks ago, I wear a velcro waist band which is very comfortable, if I drop it to my hips I can get away with wearing jeans ok.
    I could not wear leg bands, they are too uncomfortable and it feels the bag is about to drop.
    I made a denim shoulder bag to cover the urine drainage bag, it looks great and I feel very confident wearing it outside. In fact I just clip my cell phone on the front and my lippy inside!
    The biggest problem I find is the tubes, you have to be so careful that you don’t catch them on anything, it hurts when pulled; I really miss not being able to sleep on my side!

  • stephany

    Member
    February 18, 2008 at 10:32 pm

    Hey, Maria…good to hear from you, and good to hear that you have your feet planted firmly on the road. Keep us updated. I have been offline lately, trying to catch up with the paperwork involved in the insurance filings.

    I am interested in hearing if you have found a good way to support/wear your nephrostomy bag…..are you wearing leg bands, or something else? My husband has one tube/bag combo, and has made himself a denim bag that he wears under his pants, with a belt around his waist. That way, he doesn’t lose so many leg bands. How long have you had the tubes?

    Stephany in Iowa

  • leigh

    Member
    February 18, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    Hello Maria,

    Wishing you all the very best with your chemo this week…

    Keep us updated on your progress!!

    Kind Regards
    Leigh

    Leigh, 39
    Dx July 2007
    TURBT July 2007
    RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
    Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
    TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
    4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & Cisplatinum

  • melodie

    Member
    February 16, 2008 at 5:03 am

    Maria,

    Yes, we are all different…but you are younger than I am, and I just have a feeling that since you are doing MVAC, as I did, that you are going to come through this chemo just fine. Expect that you may feel sick, tired, lose your appitite, will likely lose your hair, may have some numbness and tingling in feet or hands, and you will be “sick and tired of being sick and tired”. But you will make it.
    That is what counts. You accept what you must so that those nasty cancer cells can get wiped out. There will be other positives that result but those are not quite so visible…you will see. Keep a strong attitude and stay in touch. Hugs, Melodie

    Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright

Sign In to reply.