A Urostomy Changes Your LifeWhen I was told, in 2017, I had bladder & prostate cancer. I was terrified. I was informed of several choices, but best was to have a full urostomy. The...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Have You Had Your Bladder Removed?I am a male, age 63. Was urinating blood with a lot of pain from Dec 2021. I was diagnosed with Bladder cancer stage 4 on 17 Jan 2022 with...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Experiencing large blood clots in my urine; can you relate?I've been diagnosed with high-grade muscle-invasive bladder cancer. With sarcomatoid features. 10% in one tumor and 20% in the other. I've completed chemo and am scheduled for a radical cystectomy...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
My Day at the Spa with Winnie, My StomaSo after writing my last article about how I had lost and was now slowly regaining confidence in my stoma. I decided that it was time to start doing all...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Tips for New Ostomates: What I Wish I KnewAs I write this, I am 4 months away from my 5th "stomaversary," the anniversary of my stomas and a key milestone in my prognosis. As I reach this milestone...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Let's Cease Using the Word "Bag!"I'm almost six years into this journey now, and I cannot count the number of times that I see people post online how much they hate the "bag" and their...Reactions0reactionsComments36 comments
Stopped in My Tracks, It Is Not Always Plain SailingI am a very positive person and like to think for the most part - I cope with living with life after bladder cancer and living with two ostomies. When...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
BCG TreatmentsHello to all, Captain Rich here. This morning I had my 4th BCG treatment. As soon as I got home, I took 100 mg of AZO, which I have talked...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Medicinal Cannabis: My ConsultationThe consultation day had arrived. It was here, the day I hoped would be a life changer for me however, due to the coronavirus, my consultation was to be held...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Anxiety, Mindfulness, and Bladder Cancer: Breaking the CycleThe last two years have been really hard. We, as a people worldwide, have faced challenges we have never faced before. For those of us on the cancer spectrum, this...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Space and TimeYou may have noticed a pattern if you have read some of my articles. I write about the mental health side of cancer and survival. I focus on well-being far...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
A Message from Someone in Cancer CareDear Loved One, I don't know how to tell you this. But I have been diagnosed with cancer... Again. I know how deeply painful it is to hear. We have...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Double the Trouble: Managing Two StomasSo, what is life like with two ostomies? Well, it is often double the work. They both need caring for and looking after - both in different ways. My ileal...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Buyer Beware When it Comes to Bladder Cancer Accessories!After all the years I've been around and all the times I've cautioned others, I recently didn't follow my own advice and very nearly got taken for $100! I know...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Update Following a Bit of a Bumpy SummerEarlier I made a post due to my concern that my surgeon spoke of BCG treatments before TURBT and subsequent pathology. Yes, I did set an appointment to speak with...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Ups and DownsHi, I had my TURBT on August 5th, and they put one dose of mitomycin in for an hour straight after surgery. I got my results Friday and have nonmuscle...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Preparing for a Cystectomy: The Practical PieceIf you are reading this article and you are going to be having a cystectomy surgery or have the surgery already scheduled, I hope the article will help you to...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Get Your CheckupsPeople talk to me. They open up and unload their burdens. Because of this, I know many intimate details of random people I come across in my day-to-day comings and...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Unexpected SurgeryIt was your typical morning, planning on going to church to conduct a funeral. I went into our bathroom to take a leak and looked down; I was urinating nothing...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Never Take a Moment for GrantedYou never know when something will trigger your gratitude for the simple things in life. The things around you. The people around you who mean the most, life itself even...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments