I Have Got This But Not Every Day!My name is Laura. I live with two stomas - a colostomy and a urostomy. A colostomy for the removal of feces and a urostomy for the removal of urine... By Laura MacKenzie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Would I Thrive in Spring Like the Bulbs?Today my husband and I planted the bulbs in our pots in the garden which will bloom in spring. For many, this is a yearly activity which is probably just... By Laura MacKenzie2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
Hematuria and Bladder CancerA bladder cancer diagnosis can come about in different ways. You may have symptoms that lead to testing. Your doctor may find signs during a routine exam. Other times, treating... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments11 comments
Hiking with an OstomyThe weather has finally turned chilly and the leaves are putting on their best show of fall colors. With the great outdoors calling my name I decided to take back... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
How to Be a Bladder Cancer AdvocateI often talk to others in the bladder cancer communities and people are always curious how I became a bladder cancer advocate. The answer is a lot simpler than one... By Liz Hiles2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Ostomy HacksHaving lived with my urostomy for over two years I'm pretty confident in all aspects of ostomy life. My bag change routine is down to a science and nothing about... By Brittney Tellekamp4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
The Hidden Anxiety of Bladder Cancer SurveillanceI finally had my follow-up cystoscopy a month ago. Yes, it was about six months overdue. I wasn't nervous, at first. But the longer I went without an exam, the... By Jacqueline Harmon3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments16 comments
Road Trip with an OstomyI love to travel and explore any chance I get, and even before COVID, this came in the form of long road trips. When air travel became more restricted and... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Learning Your Urostomy: The Early Days Post-CystectomyI am just writing this after getting up this morning. My morning is probably very similar to anyone else's: having a shower, breakfast and as it is a weekday, getting... By Laura MacKenzie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
How Did I Get an "Old Man's" Cancer?Since the first diagnosis, the burning question has been, "How did I get this disease?" No, I do not smoke. No, I don't drink alcohol. No, I don't abuse drugs... By Jacqueline Harmon3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Ask the Advocate: Living with a Urinary DiversionRecently we asked our BladderCancer.net advocates some questions around their pivotal decision to have a radical cystectomy and opt for a urinary diversion. It can be one of the most... By Editorial Team 4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Would I Get a Second Chance?This time of year is a difficult one for me. It is full of mixed emotions and a roller coaster of hours that became days. On the 29th of October... By Laura MacKenzie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
Affirmations and the Power of Positivity: Coming Out of the HoleI am going to start this by being brutally honest. I have struggled over the last year and a half with depression, low mood, and anxiety. I felt like I... By Shirley Norris4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Being Nominated for a WEGO Health AwardIn June, an email popped up with the subject line, "Congratulations, you've been nominated!" The first thing I thought was, nominated for what? Well, I was nominated in a category... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Never Alone: the Unconditional Support of a CaregiverRecently I had my annual scope. Everything was routine. The same paperwork - ensuring all of my personal information was up to date. Going over my insurance, dotting all the... By Mac Howard2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Community Views: Radical Cystectomy and Quality of LifeA bladder cancer diagnosis comes with many life changes. As you process the diagnosis, you hear treatment options. One treatment is for a radical cystectomy, which is removal of the... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
When Christmas Takes on a Whole New MeaningAsk anyone I know, and they will tell you, I am just a big kid when it comes to Christmas. I have always loved Christmas, the magic of Christmas. I... By Laura MacKenzie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Caregivers Can Depend on From MeHello! My name is Charles and I am sad and glad to be a part of this conversation. I want to formally introduce myself and let you know what you can... By Charles Anthony Ulloa3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Speaking at the Bladder Cancer RetreatBack in September, I had the absolute honor of speaking at the 2021 North Carolina Bladder Cancer Retreat. It was incredibly exciting, nerve-wracking, and it remains one of the most... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Myth Busting and Living with a Bag: Life after RC/ICDo you remember the date you were diagnosed with bladder cancer? Most hands will go up with that one! Who would ever think a doctor would recommend bladder removal as... By Linda Urbanski4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments28 comments