Newly Diagnosed, 69yr old Male
I've been dealing with kidney stones so this masked the cancer and delayed it being found. A stone they were going to remove via surgery pulled a vanishing act so the surgery was cancelled. Apparently I managed to pass a 6mm stone with zero discomfort. Still scratching my head over that. They were planning to do the cystoscopy while I was unconscious.
So now it gets rescheduled to Feb. 25th and I have to be conscious for it. It wasn't pleasant but I only gasped once or twice 😀 What the Doctor found was 1-3 areas of "High grade urothelial carcinoma" (they biopsied a cancer cell found in my urine). I could see the cancer on the monitor, it was presented as red on a whitish blue background. The largest area was close to my right ureter so that'll need a stint/shunt (whatever it's called) to keep the ureter to the right kidney open.
What's next is outpatient surgery on March 10th to see if the Doc can use the loop to scrape out the cancer. I am mostly concerned about post-operative pain, I have had some serious illnesses in my lift but nothing painful. When I got home from the Feb. 25th procedure I needed to urinate and OMG I thought it was pure acid coming out of me. The Doc doesn't think I've had the cancer long enough for it to spread past the 1st layer, from research it starts to become a problem when it reaches the 3rd muscle layer.
My wife is more worried about this than I am, I reviewed the 3 methods to replace the bladder and none of them would be that life-altering for me.
I'd like to hear anyone's experience with the aftermath of the "scraping" of bladder cancer and perhaps what questions I should ask the Urologist.
First, let me just say you are not alone! First diagnosis time can be overwhelming and frustrating, and downrightr scary even. Just know that so many of our community members have and are going through the same, if that's some comfort. Also, for the stones: https://bladdercancer.net/living/urine-anxiety check this out - you are not the only one going through it for sure. You can always come here to chat, vent, or be with others who really get it! Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help. Keep on keepin' on, DPM I hope the bladder scrapping went well. I have had tumors removed during my cystoscopy a few times with no lingering pain or discomfort. My doctor prescribes a Valium to help me relax prior to my cystoscopy.
I was cancer free in December 2025 but it returned in March 2026 and now I go in for surgery again.I am in a similar situation with my cancer. I had a scan recently and I got the "OK but..." stuff. Now I am waiting for the doc to call me back and tell me what the heck is going on! It is excrutiating! Hopefully both of ours turns out well again. Sufficed to say, you are not alone! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
The bladder scraping went well , the Doc thinks they got it all. Good news is it was “superficial”, very shallow penetration. Because it’s the more aggressive form I’ve got the 2nd surgery scheduled for April 13th this time with a Urologist from the Levine Cancer Center.
I’ve had some issues with bladder spasms and my PCP has given me some meds to help with that. I’ve had more trouble since the catheter was removed than before.That is wonderful to hear, I am glad it went well! Sometimes we do get a win in this crazy ride called cancer! Thanks for the update! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
So glad it went well. Having a Catheter is certainly uncomfortable as are the spasms.
