Why I Refused to Wear WigsWhen I was diagnosed in August 2016, I knew that I was in for a battle. I had my radical cystectomy on September 23, 2016. Due to complications, I bounced... By Liz Hiles3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
A New Wait: My Skin Cancer ScareThe extraction of my tooth had barely registered when the dentist leaned down and said, “Have you had that spot on your nose long?” Without waiting for a response, she... By Mac Howard2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Compassion Blanket Giveaway! [Closed]Here at BladderCancer.net we know that love and support are key parts of the journey. That is why for Bladder Cancer Awareness Month we are giving away a Compassion Blanket... By JadaWalton1 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Interview with Leanne: Surgery and Life With Indiana PouchWe're highlighting people in the bladder cancer community. I talked to Leanne in Part 1 about her early symptoms and treatment decisions. In this part, she discusses her radical cystectomy... By Alina Ahsan2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
When All the Information Out There May Be TMI!I had an RC/IC (radical cystectomy/ileal conduit) in September 2014. I don't think about my bag; it has become a natural part of my life. I chose to have RC a short... By Linda Urbanski4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Survivor's Guilt and Bladder Cancer: the Unseen WeightSurvivor's guilt: noun, a condition of mental and emotional stress experienced by someone who has survived an incident in which others died. I actually came pretty close a couple of... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Could Your Job Increase Your Risk of Developing Bladder Cancer?If you or your loved one is diagnosed with bladder cancer, you likely have questions about the cause of bladder cancer. It is normal to wonder if there was anything... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Hear From Leanne: Bladder Cancer Symptoms, Chemotherapy, & SurgeryWe're highlighting people in the bladder cancer community. I talked to Leanne about her early symptoms and how she felt when she received her diagnosis of invasive high-grade bladder cancer... By Alina Ahsan3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Dealing With Urosepsis While CaregivingRecap! Cue the melodic music. To recap, I was taking care of my mother who was very ill. We were having usually hot (and I mean roasting hot) weather, especially... By Anita Brown4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
What Is Grief Tourism?Grief tourist: someone who pretends to care about your chronic/serious illness on social media, but never offers their help in any real meaningful capacity. I was laying in my hospital... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Boundaries & Learning to Prioritize OurselvesLimits, boundaries, managed access, call it what you wish. This is a touchy subject, but it is a vital idea as you move along with any illness or condition that... By Mac Howard3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
I Am Not My CancerMy name is Brittney. I am 30 years old, and I have stage IV bladder cancer. Take another look at that sentence. I HAVE cancer, I am not my cancer... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
How a UTI Can Go Undetected With a UrostomyIn 2020-2021 alone, I have had 2 separate occasions of how a missed UTI can turn into one of the most life-threatening illnesses that there is: urosepsis! It all started... By Anita Brown2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Managing Bladder Cancer Symptoms and Side EffectsWhen living with bladder cancer, every day can look different. If you are currently in treatment, you might be dealing with side effects or symptoms like fatigue or pain. You... By Alina Ahsan3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
When It's a Bad DayMy mom has this quote she says whenever anyone in our family is just having a rotten, no good, awful day. “It's a bad day, not a bad life”. This is... By Brittney Tellekamp4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Seasonal Affective DisorderS.A.D. Seasonal affective disorder. The depression that comes with the seasonal changes of fall and winter. I feel it in my bones. The changing of the seasons when fall slides... By Mac Howard3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
How Phil Made the Decision to Have a Radical CystectomyWe're highlighting people in the bladder cancer community and sharing some of their experiences. I talked to Phil about his first bladder cancer symptoms, getting multiple medical opinions, and his... By Alina Ahsan4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Bladder Cancer: Know the SignsWhile out of town working on a project in Denver, I was startled when I noticed blood in my urine one morning. So I did what most men I know... By Scott Carroll3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Planning for "The End"When I found out that I not only had cancer, but stage IV metastatic cancer, I knew that my life would not necessarily end grey-haired and old. Now, I have... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Bladder Cancer Treatments, Hearing Loss, and TinnitusI first found out that I had bladder cancer in August of 2016. Most would have found it a shock, but for me, there was relief in that I had... By Shirley Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments