I suspect that "nerve-sparing," if it is possible in your situation, would be helpful if it is successful. This is a subject to discuss frankly with your urologist/surgeon and, if possible, get a second opinion at a place that deals with a lot of situations such as yours.
The President of our American Bladder Cancer Society, Cynthia, also tried the "bladder-sparing" route with chemo and radiation and it failed also. By then her bladder was in such bad shape (the residents in her initial hospital referred to it, when they thought she couldn't hear them, as a "crispy critter") that it was necessary for her to travel elsewhere to find someone qualified to deal with removal of her very damaged bladder and construction of a suitable diversion.
You need to have a long discussion with your surgeon, as I suggested above, about all your concerns, including the type of diversion he will be able to do because of the damage to your bladder.
Please let us know what you discover as you go along since there are others who read this who will want to know.
Sara Anne
