Hello Joe
I am sorry to welcome you to our little support group. Wish you didn't have to be here.
I know that when the cancer thing is mentioned, it is a punch in the face for sure.
And You are facing a fight ahead, for sure.
I am sure your emotions are in turmoil, and that is VERY normal. Angst and depression are a normal reaction to the "c" word.
But You have to keep your focus UP. The fight is on!
First....... make sure you are at a facility where they KNOW bladder cancer. You need a Dr. that really specializes in bc. Not just any guy that has heard of bc.
You need an assembly line guy that has seen so much bc and has seen every complication and knows how to deal with it. And the hospital must be there for you too.
If you tell us where you live, there are people who can direct you to a great facility.
As for bladder sparing....... "Forget about it!" If that bladder has to go.... "Let it GO!!!"
I want you to live!
It is OK to have some major mood swings going on. I did! But the eye must be on the prize of living! I don't have my bladder anymore. Haven't had it for six years! And yet I still play golf, ski, drive a racing car and maintain a stressful job owning an automobile dealership. Life goes on! But you are going into a fight for yourself.... Don't worry about the fluff and drama. You want to LIVE! So do we.
Please come back anytime. We are here to listen to your anger, fear, worries, and general questions. It is OK to express anything here. That's why we do this.
Sincerely
George