I haven't posted in a while, but everyone was so helpful to me when I was first diagnosed last September, I thought I would give an update on my ongoing condition.
Back in September, I was diagnosed with invasive bladder cancer. The tumor was removed, but because the cancer had invaded the muscle, I was told I would have to have my bladder removed. Not being married and not having any close relatives nearby, I felt I was alone in the world and I was very scared. I posted my thoughts and fears on this board and received many heartfelt responses which helped to ease my anxiety. I knew I was not alone and it was not the end of the world. Friends also rallied around me for support.
Many of the postings and many of my friends recommended that I go for a second opinion. I was lucky to have been referred to Dr. Mark Schoenberg at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. I was told he was the best and after seeing him, I realized that I was in the presence of an expert team (Dr Schoenberg, his resident Trinity, and his nurse Charlene). After reviewing my records and performing a scope, Dr Schoenberg recommended that I have chemo before the bladder removal surgery. He said this will shrink the tumor and at the same time give me time to get into better physical condition...I needed to lose about 30 pounds. I was referred to Dr Vaughn at Univ of Penn. for the Chemo treatments. I started the Chemo (Gemzar and Cisplatin) in early November and finished at the end of January. Upon completion, I had another Cat Scan and MRI which came back clear...no evidence of the cancer. I was then referred back to Dr Schoenberg who performed a scope and took a biopsy of several areas of the bladder. The pathology report came back benign! This was a totally unexpected outcome. Dr Schoenberg now recommends that instead of surgery, I have a round of radiation treatments to reinforce the good results that I received from the chemo treatments. Both Doctors say that I have made remarkable progress with the chemotherapy and just maybe I will not have to have the bladder removed.
I'm trying not celebrate too much because I know all the good news can turn to bad unexpectedly in a very short time, but right now I'm on cloud nine!!!
Ray