My first advice is to STOP and take a deep breath. Been there, done that. I remember when my urologist mentioned "CANCER" I thought to myself "now I know what I am going to die of!" Well, it is over 11 years later and I have had no sign of cancer since. Bladder cancer, discovered early as yours appears to have been, is relatively easily treated.
Your urologist is of the opinion that the papillary (like a little mushroom on the bladder lining) tumor is about 1 cm in size. That is relatively small. The purpose of the TURB (transurethral resection of the bladder) is two-fold. First is to remove as much of the tumor as possible and second to send that tissue to a pathologist to determine the grade (how fast the tumor is growing) and stage (how far it might have advanced into the bladder/muscle). Only AFTER the path report is back will the urologist, and you, know exactly what you might be facing. The urologist may have a pretty good idea after the TURB but will know for sure only then.
Depending on the exact diagnosis, most of the treatment options are very do-able. It is far from a death sentence and in most cases the treatment plan does NOT involved chemotherapy or the types of treatments that many other cancers require.
You are fortunate to have a good friend who is a urologist. You will do fine.
Feel free to ask any questions that may arise here. Many of us have been where you are!
Sara Anne
