Hi, Lustron, welcome to this forum. My husband was diagnosed with BC what I refer to as the b**tard cancer July 13th, 2010. Just like you we were, "what the heck is an RC/IC?" how does this work is it worse than having BC? Wow! We didn't lead into it slowly as Jim had already gone from the bladder into his prostate and well, diagnosed 7/13-RC/IC 8/12/10. Not much time to daly and wonder that's for sure. We had a number of 2nd, 3rd and so on opinions and not a one said, "well, we can wait and see". THEY all knew it was bad but because so few people know about or think about BC we didn't know. This forum was and continues to be extremely helpful with people who really know their BC stuff. Pat is a font of information, Mike is simply awesome with his support and George always manaqes to make me smile even with the miserable b**tard cancer issue! I caught my breath when you first posted that losing your bladder meant you felt you would be better off dead! NO WAY NO HOW! Jim is doing great, is followed every 3 months with CTs (BTW he ended up not being a T3a he ended up being stage IV with 3 lymph nodes positive) and we are grateful he is alive and we are planning a trip next week. BC doesn't mean the end of you life unless you let it. We are chosing to LIVE with BC, not DIE with BC. The way we see it, Jim is cancer free until proven otherwise! Stay well, come here often and know hat there are really great, people with a lot to offer here!