Newly Diagnosed...Bag? Pouch?, Neobladder?

BJ...here is Cynthias surgeon and one of the finest in the blc world
www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/gary-steinberg.html
Pat

Betsy Mae-

Thank you for taking the time to inform me of your experiences!
I am told that I do not have a choice at this time. I must just prepare myself as best I can and get it over with. I am pushing until after the holidays.

I lost my right kidney and ureter in September 2003. Battling the transitional cell at the lining of the bladder ever since. Surgery for removing of the low grade cells helped. My body did not like the BCT and Mitamycin treatments. Had surgery again two weeks ago. Thursday night I was given the patholodgy report. The cells have changed and have become more agreessive. The bladder has to go.

I am looking at a second opinon even though my Urologist is head of Urology at a suburban hospital in the Chicago area. With the luck I have had over the last 5 years, I need to choose the least problamatic way to go. I am tired of all the Cysto's and my uretha has just about been done in.

Warmest regards,
BJ

BJ...by the way i look perfectly normal also with a navel stoma and the Indiana Pouch and i had a great surgeon whose momma taught him a mean whipstitch so i have no scars at all visible anymore...no staples for me!! Also no UTI's... a nice bonus. Pat

Hello BJ2,

I had a neobladder in August 2007. I was offered the neobladder as my tumour was on my urachus ie; at the top of the dome of the bladder so my urethra was fine. I was told they would do 'a bag' if surgery all went wrong. I was, and still am, very happy with this surgery as at least you 'look normal' albeit with a long scar!
Yes - I have always had to self cath but this is quite easy (only needed mirrors for a short while)and is preferable to leaking. I now have a much better bladder capacity than previously which is fantastic.
The only problems I now seem to encounter (apart from the secondary I am now battling - see my other posts) is the ongoing problem of UTIs. I understand these are quite common with neobladders especially if you cath.
Are you considering surgery? If so, hope all goes well.

Betsy Mae

How are you doing now?
What did you decide in the end?
I am female, 63.
I would appreciate your experienced input.

Thank you BJ2