Gathering information for the decision time

Could we get real here? There are people that lose their sexual function. People have leakages, and problems voiding themselves. I talked to the surgeon and have done a lot of reading. So let's lose the rose tinted glasses.

How does emptying your new bladder work in less than ideal conditions? I am thinking the Indiana pouch would free me from the filthy toilet seats. Where do they put the stoma?

What happens with one thing and another and you fail to relieve your self on schedule? with a natural bladder, you just become more and more uncomfortable.

Groucho -- Secret Word is LIFE!

Groucho

"Mutilation or Early Death!" Now that's the silliest thing I ever heard! To quote Groucho.

Of course you will choose life. I had the BIG RC when I was 53 (3 years ago) and I was NOT mutulated. As a matter of fact, last summer I was commenting about how I couldn't even see the scar anymore. I could feel the scar tissue but "I don't look too bad in the buff if I say so myself" As for the sexual disfunction... I had a nerve sparing surgery and after a year I was able to perform.
So....... mutilation is out of the question with a good surgeon.

Let's move on to an early death. NOT! And this is really NOT an option I will let you consider. I have spent the last year holding the hand of a friend who's brother in law had bladder cancer..... didn't want to talk to me.....didn't want to go see a bladder cancer specialist...... didn't want to look at this site.... didn't want to get a second opinion... didn't want to lose his sexual funtion ..... didn't want to choose life. He Just Died from metasticised bladder cancer!

I must make this disclaimer.... Your results may vary due to any # of things, but, come on! Get to a baldder cancer specialist and get your second life going. Will it be different? Oh yeah! Will there be bunps in the road? Oh yeah!
My life is different but better in many ways! And, Oh yeah, I'm alive! Working, playing, skiing, golfing, having a second chance at life!

You will too. We will make choose Life!

George

I don't know what you've heard about the diversion options but I know many people with each of them that live very active and fulfilling lives. I was diagnosed at age 52 and had my bladder out a few months later. That was over three years ago and I've travelled both domestically and internationally for work and only a little bit domestically for pleasure (damn job/kids/economy) but I lead a pretty decent and active life. Are there challenges, sure there are but we adapt and overcome.

I had my neobladder installed in July of 08 and started working part tiem from home less than two weeks after the surgery. that was only 3 hrs/day but I gradually increased it until going back to my office at 8 weeks and a 3 day business trip the week after that.

As for "relations", there are never guarantees but a skilled surgeon is frequently able to spare the nerves. I had NO issues with function as soon as my incisions healed except for of course, no "emissoin". Medications that I started taking in the years since have more of an impact than the surgery.

The most important thing getting a GOOD surgeon and medical team. Unless you KNOW for sure that your doctor or the local hospital sees many of these per month, you need to look to a major Bladder Cancer center if at all possible. I know many people who have travelled by plane to have the actual major operation and the results and care at places like Memorial Sloan Kettering, Cleveland Clinic, MD Anderson and Johns Hopkins are very good.

To summarize. Getting your bladder removed need not be the end of life or activity. I know one woman in Chicago with a neobladder who has young children and has run a marathon. . . yes AFTER having a neobladder. Several who bike many miles as in over 50 per day. A lot of folks who travel extensively and hike, swim, golf, etc.

Groucho,

I had my bladder removed (and the prostate) 3 years ago now and I'm three years cancer free.

I can do everything I did before. If your prostate is not cancerous, they can typically do nerve sparing surgery. With that surgery, your probability of regaining erectile function is very high. You should discuss this with the Dr. at Pitt. Whoever the top surgeon is there with the most experience.

Once the cancer is in the muscle wall, the chance of it spreading further starts increasing. The sooner it is out, the better the chance that they can get it all and you can live a long and happy life.

I'm 52 and don't even know what euchre is and have no plans for the senior center. I scuba dive, golf, and do everything I did before. It's a scary time when you first find out about this. Chances of a long life are high if treated aggressively and early.

Let us know if you have any particular questions. We're happy to help if we can. Many of us have been where you are now and we're doing just fine without our old cancerous bladders.

Mike