Suzy-
Lots to digest I know. Try not to be afraid.
Do you like your doctor?
Do you have faith in him/her?
Feb. 2003 I had blood in my urine. Went from Beringer Blush to Black Coffee in color range. Test after test could not reveal where bleeding was coming from.
Finally, in August it was discovered that the blood was coming from the right ureter. The area was large so there was not enough to reconnect to the kidney.
In October of 2003 my right kidney and ureter were removed. There was a slight trace of the transitional cell in the bladder. 6 weeks after the surgery I started BCG treatments. It rotated between the BCG and Mitamycin over 5-1/2 years with cystoscopies in the office for checkups and then in the hospital to scrape away the cells when found. There was never anything to worry about until October of 2008. The area in the bladder was wearing thin and the cells had changed appearance. The bladder needed to be removed so that the cancer could not invade my other kidney. This was all confirmed by a second opinion.
December 10, 2008 my bladder was removed. The procedure chosen was the ileal conduit due to having one kidney. I am now a "Bag Lady" or "Pouch Person" if you will. I am surprised at how well I am receivng all of this.
I had no Chemo or Radiation at anytime and after reading so many stories on this site and others, I am so glad I did not. If I was told now, that I should, I would not. What life I have left must be quality to the best of my ability!
If I can answer anything for you, please feel free to contact me.
Your BC friend,
BJ
