Living

There is a lot I was prepared for after my radical cystectomy surgery. A big scar, an ostomy, a rigorous recovery, but there were so many things I had no...

The Person Before Patient Survey is now closed. Thank you for your interest! What makes us the people we are? Living with a serious health condition like bladder cancer can...

My latest set of CT scans have come back saying I’m still in good shape. My labs are great, I’m handling treatment well and we know that this will be...

January 31, 2021, was four years since I had my radical cystectomy. Ordinarily, the day is met with various fanfares from me. It usually goes something like this - I...

I want to be transparent here. I want anyone reading these articles to see my truth and be able to relate as they can or need to. This is therapeutic...

Hello, my name is Lelee. I am a bladder cancer fighter; I use the word fighter because this cancer keeps coming back so I feel like the fight keeps going...

On National Cancer Survivors Day, observed each year on the first Sunday in June, we honor and celebrate all of those who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Every...

I have gotten pretty good at rolling with the punches. I think any cancer patient has to be prepared to remain flexible and ready for the unexpected. But every now...

May is bladder cancer awareness month, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to tell you about how I met some of my online support team. I was diagnosed...

As I was in the hospital recovering from my radical cystectomy, the flowers and cards from family, friends, and supporters covered every inch of my room. My phone was constantly...

Every chronic and life-threatening condition comes with its own symptoms and challenges, and while each individual's experience is unique, there is wisdom to be found in learning how others have...

Two years ago I would have said there was absolutely nothing positive about having a urostomy. It was uncomfortable, always a hassle, and a constant outward reminder of my bladder...

If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, and you have trouble sleeping — and maybe you have had this trouble with sleep for a while — you may want...

(Spoiler alert: No skin cancer! Writer does long “happy dance.”) When last we left our faithful cancer fighter (me), I had just had a biopsy of a spot on my...

Bladder cancer is not a rare cancer. In fact, it is far more common than people realize. However, it is a type of cancer that most people do not have...

When I was finally diagnosed with bladder cancer after a few years of fighting the uphill battle, I took to the world wide web. In my pain med-induced stupor, while...

Everyone will remember the moment of diagnosis. I certainly do. The doctor put his hand on my shoulder and said, "It's bad news, it's a tumour. Now, everything I say...

When the vaccine for COVID-19 was released, I immediately sat down with my oncologist to discuss the pros and cons of me personally getting the vaccine. Primarily we were concerned...