Invasive Bladder Cancer - Non Cystectomy Treatments???

Hi Ginger!
I will pass that on to Rose. It should help to make her feel, at least, not alone. Thanks.
- Carmine -

Hi Eileen,
I have read and reread your post on you & Mike's chemo. experience. I am going to ask about it on the 13th, hopefully I can do it at Christiana. Thanks for the support/info.
- Carmine -

Carmines wife,
Hi, My name is Ginger Beane, I live in Cleveland Ohio and my husband Gene retired after 32 years as a Ford engineer, had a r/c Sept.14th at the Cleveland Clinic. Today is Nov. 1rst. This weekend we are going to Detroit to visit the new MGM grand casino, for 2 nights. All the months since April are like a blurr. What we thought may be a prostate problem or kidney infection was identified July 3rd as b/C. I remember not sleeping in the summer, sitting on the patio at 5 am because my mind wouldn't stop. Our life stopped in its tracts Gene had two turbs, 1rst one he had a cath for 12 days at home in July, then in August again, then surgery. He was stage 3 t-2 muscle invasuve, today he is cancer free, has had no chemo, no radiation, and will need none. We here are aware of the thoughts you are having, the fright you feel, but from what we have read about Carmine seems he will be okay.
We to caught it in time, I guess if you can call loosing your bladder in time, but it is so to those who have metastisized b/c, we are smack in the middle so we have this choice to make, My husband is fine with an outside bag, its not ichky, or gross, its just a bag with a stoma. if you would like to share your feelings, feel free, its probably everything I felt this time in July. And many here welcome your thoughts. Love to you and your family,,Ginger Beane

hi carmine - i wrote you a very long message about a week or so ago about our chemo experience at our local hospital, even though we are going to hopkins for the surgery. the protocol for chemo for bladder cancer is very standard, so if you can go close to home you should. a friend of mine has ovarian cancer and has been going to fox chase for her chemo on and off for several years. she complained of very long waits - once she got there at 9 a.m. and didn't get taken until 6 p.m. dr. chen should allow you and support you in going to a hospital that is closer to your home for your chemo. the oncology is the same, believe me. it's hard enough as it is. reread my note to you describing the experience. our local hospital oncologist has called us back within the hour for any concern that we have had. good luck.

eileen

Hi Ginger!
I thought you would be posting a reply, nice to hear from you. I have given her all of the info. to participate, but she is reluctant to. She has sat next to me and read many of the posts already. Mostly the ones with info. about BC, R/C and Chemo. I'll tell her you suggested she PM you. I don't think she will, but you never know. Thanks for the help.
- Carmine -

Hey Carmine, Ginger Beane here, please tell your wife she can count on us for feed back, I have been thru the worry as she is going thru now, we can certainly at least let her know what she is feeling is justified and she's not loosing it, it is hard on the wives for sure, tell her to go to the CAREGIVERS section and spill her guts, thats why it is there. We can tell her what to expect and so on, or she can pm me and I would be happy to share....Ginger Beane