Wife DX with T2 Micropapillary Cancer...

I figured I would update for future reference for others.

To review, my wife was diagnosed with muscle invasive bladder cancer stage T2a. The pathology showed that it was the rare variant plasmacytoid. After 4 rounds of chemotherapy (gem/cis) the cancer was unresponsive and chemotherapy was cut short. An RC was performed at M.D. Anderson in January. The pathology showed no lymph node involvement and no positive margins, but the cancer was upstaged to 3a.

Fast forward to 3 1/2 months after surgery, with the exception of a rash around the stoma everything has been going well. There was a lot of constipation, but it has improved as well.

The 3 month checkup (CT Scan/blood work) showed that the cancer has not returned.

Will have the next checkup at the 6 month mark, will update then.

Thanks,

James

Exactly 60 days since RC.

1. Lot of progress. No complications. Just gets tired very easily still. Has not returned to work because she is a teacher and would just be too much right now.
2. Changing bag every 3-4 days. I am assisting her with this. Will be a big step when she can do this by herself.
3. CT Scan and oncology checkup moved back because of Corona. Oncologist thought okay since surgery went well.
4. Even though she had the highly aggressive plasmacytoid variant we are very helpful as are her doctors that at stage 3a very good chance now.
4. Will wait to post until after CT Scan or if something out of the ordinary occurs. Thanks to everyone and will continue to check in.


Hope this helps others.

Thanks,

James

Exactly 52 days since RC.

1. Lot of improvement over past week.
2. Constipation has gone away for the most part.
3. Not as exhausted, getting more energy all the time.
4. Did have first leakage today. Switching back to coloplast.
5. Met with urologist that did the surgery for followup. Everything looked good, final stage was 3a with negative margins and clean lymph nodes.
6. First CT Scan and oncologist meeting since surgery coming up in a few weeks, then every 3 months for the foreseeable future.
7. Everything is looking up!


I will post after her first CT Scan later in the month.



Hope this helps others.

Thanks,

James

Exactly 42 days since RC.

1. Lot of improvement over past week.
2. Constipation has gone away for the most part.
3. Not as exhausted, but still pretty tired a lot of the time.
4. Had follow up with Wound/Ostomy, everything looking good. Got some bags ordered from Hollister that
are easier to connect to the night bag.
5. She was able to get out of the bathtub by herself for the first time this evening.
6. Everything is looking up, slowly but surely. Urology meeting Monday.


I will continue to post weekly updates through her first CT Scan late in the month.just to continue documenting her process for others.

Hope this helps others.

Thanks,

James