Finding the Silver Lining

Its such a shame that I had to be diagnosed with bladder cancer to start appreciating what great things life has to offer. I have a huge amount of appreciation today for the little things that I took for granted before, along with family & my real friends. I'm so different today in regards to how I approach my days. I don't always make the most of each day, because I think that's actually impossible, but I do keep it focused around the hear and now and don't waste any day worrying about what tomorrow brings, because after being diagnosed with cancer, each day does become a bonus. I've made plenty of plans for a number of important activities/holidays in the future and although that is not anything unusual, for me its a momentous moment each time I get to tick one off. Prior to my cancer I put my career first. Today its family first, which consist of my wife, two daughters and granddaughter, followed by my personal loves in life, which are keeping fit, racing my motorcycle and going on as many holidays as possible. I appreciate people more in general today and I'm a lot more forgiving than I ever was before. Staying in the negative really doesn't do it for me today, because I can find so many more things to be positive about....Noel, (BladderCancer.net Team Member)

I was diagnosed back in 2007 with advanced invasive bladder cancer. Pathology after cystectomy was T3b- the cancer was through the bladder wall. I did gemzar and cisplatin chemo for 5 months, only to hear it had spread. I was 42 then. And I prayed it would get better.
In 2009 my neobladder was a failure so I had it removed and got an illeal conduit. And after a month I started to feel better.
In 2012 I had my 2nd battle with breast cancer. Did chemo and surgery and radiation.
In 2014 I had my 3rd battle with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy.
It all taught me how to live life. I know who my truest friends are. I know how to live my faith. I have learned how to face terror. I learned how to breathe again.
Now I go to bed every night praying it isn’t the last day I feel this good.
Life can be good again.

Hello - I've been a member of your site for over a year and looking for information which may assist me in better caring for myself.

For over 12 years, I had trace blood in my urine although my doctor wasn’t concerned. On one visit, there was a fill-in doctor who said the amount indeed was significant and sent me to a urologist. A cystoscopy was done and all fine. I returned two years later for another to learn I had a tumor. Long story short, I have had three TURBT procedures in 15 months, the last being May 2020.

My urologist placed me on a six-week BCG treatment in mid-June. All was good until the third treatment at which time my life changed. The burning, urine blood and blood clots, and the urge to urinate every 10-15 minutes kept me homebound until the end of August. The doctor delayed my 6th treatment one week as I was bleeding quite heavily; he felt my system needed a short break. I was told, “It’s working!”

By the end of August, about six weeks after the treatment ended, the bleeding had pretty much subsided unless I did anything physical such as gardening, housecleaning, or mild exercise. My urine would turn pink (at least it wasn’t bright red).
I had a cystoscopy at the end of September and saw that several areas inside my bladder still looked like raw meat or nasty wounds in various stages of healing.

Now, toward mid-October, I am finally feeling more my old self. I didn’t realize how hard this treatment had kicked my behind. I’m a Type A who sallied through it all with a smile while actually miserable.

I wonder if my beverage daily routine added to my misery. I am a coffee drinker – two morning cups of half-decaf and half-regular. I stopped drinking coffee two weeks ago and noticed my bladder doesn’t “burn” quite so much in the mornings. A few days a week, I’d enjoy a nighttime whiskey. I didn’t notice any additional discomfort yet, I’m sure it may have been fuel to the fire?

What to do and what NOT to do would be an appreciated topic on your site. Thank you.