My 2022 Thoughts on Bladder Cancer Awareness MonthThis year is my 5th Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. In August, I will be 6 years from my diagnosis. At this time of year, I go through a lot of...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The value of second opinionsI was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer in January. My healthcare network was very good about getting me into chemo, and a referral for bladder removal out-of-network. I didn't like...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2022May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month! This awareness month, we are calling on the power of community and storytelling to illuminate the realities of bladder cancer. Unfortunately, we know how...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Diagnosed 2-17-22 Part 2Hi to all, I think part one (read here) was getting kind of long so I am starting a part 2. My initial consult went very well, I like the...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Here's your sign....I went for a fairly short run on the morning of Jul 25, 2021. Afterward, I noticed a bit of blood in my urine. After some searching on the web...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Can You Prevent a Parastomal Hernia?Anyone with a stoma can get one; I have heard it said that 1 in every 2 people with an ostomy will at some point develop a parastomal hernia. It...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Final Chapter and How It Plays OutLet me preface this by saying that I am not trying to be maudlin or have this be a "downer" article. This is written with the best of intentions and also...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Diarrhea- a possible side effect of KeytrudaAs a Stage 4 bladder cancer patient (it had reached lymph nodes in the bladder area), I needed immunotherapy after the chemotherapy, then cystectomy with ileal conduit (determined by the...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
The Financial Toxicity of Cancer TreatmentCancer drugs are essential for people with cancer. These drugs can help some live longer without the cancer spreading. However, these drugs come with a high price tag. This can...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Scar tissue in my ureters post cystectomyAfter chemotherapy, then cystectomy and ileal conduit, I wasn’t quite prepared for what I had read as a possible side effect of the cystectomy- scar tissue in the ureters where...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Newly DiagnosedHi I’m a 47 year old female diagnosed with T1 high grade cancer carcinoma in situ. In the last 6 months I have had 3 TURBT’s and 1 round 6x...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
The Right Book at the Right TimeA theme that has run consistently through my cancer journey has been timing. Everything has always happened in timing that has been eerily just the way it needed to happen...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
A Cancer Diagnosis Never Leaves YouI have come to realize that for me, and I am sure many others, a cancer diagnosis never leaves you. That is not to say that I, currently cancer-free, still...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
BladderCancer.net Giveaway Terms and ConditionsThese Official Rules apply to any giveaway (or “Promotion”) published on BladderCancer.net, a Health Union (“Health Union” or “We”) owned and operated website. For conflicts between the Promotional giveaway article...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Re-Staging My Bladder CancerIt is strange to think that 2 years ago we really were unsure what my future would look like with bladder cancer. I was so sick, and we knew my...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Fears of Recurrence: A Constant Reminder to Remain VigilantIt is always great to see people celebrating the anniversary of the date they had their radical cystectomy, were declared NED [no evidence of disease], or cancer-free. We all hope...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Community Views: The Female Bladder Cancer ExperienceLearning you have bladder cancer can change your life in profound ways. You not only have to deal with the unique physical aspects of having bladder cancer but the social...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
New Keytruda ProtocolBack on October 4th, 2019 I received my very first dose of Keytruda. For the following two years, I received my infusion every 3 weeks with great success. The symptoms...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Processing “The New Norm” after Ostomy SurgeryI have a love-hate relationship with the phrase "the new norm". It's a bit like marmite, many either love it or hate it. Only it's a little different. You can...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Moments MatterI get up at 3:30 in the morning, six days a week to go to work. Friday, was no different. Get up, pack my lunch and get my coffee and...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
