Bladder removal
Just Diagnosed by my urologist. He told me that my cancer is in the muscle. He is sending me to Vanderbilt. He seems to think that my bladder will have to be removed. I am wondering What is the best option for moving on and who has been here and their outcome.
hi. Welcome. We are a very supportive community. I had muscle invasive bladder cancer and had my bladder removed as a result. The surgery was 4.5 years ago. It is tough surgery and takes time to recover physically and emotionally but you soon get used to your urinary diversion and can live a very normal life. Pre covid I traveled long haul for pleasure, foreign travel for work, work full time and do all I did before. I am currently still all clear of cancer as at my large scan in Dec 21. Let us know how you get on at your appointment and ask here any questions you may have. Laura, Moderator, BladderCancer.net 
@Mark - I wish you could have had better news. I hope that Vanderbilt has treatment options for you. Having had my bladder out going on 8 years ago, I can tell you that you can life a great life being bladderless. I think that if you go into RC with a positive attitude and winning spirit it will help out tremendously. Please keep us updated on how things go at Vanderbilt. I am always impressed with professionals who either know their limitations and/or provide alternatives for another opinion or option.so that the patient has the most information possible. It sounds like you are in good hands. My best. Linda (moderator, Bladdercancer.net team member)
Mark - 10 years without my bladder.
Everyone has an opinion on which path to take when faced with a cystectomy. I took the "neobladder" approach. Couldn't be happier. No external bag, no issues with incontinence or over-active mucus production that could potentially block the urethra.
At the end of the day, your way forward will be based on what the doctors find when they open you up as some folks have cancer in their urethra and therefore are not eligible for the neobladder. But that is typically an in-surgery call once they see what they are dealing with.
I also had a small spot of cancer in my prostate so they took that as well.
Success is a function of your particular situation (spread of the cancer, etc.), the skill of the surgeon, and most importantly in my opinion - your patience and attitude.
Good luck - let us all know how you come out the other side of this decision.
