Stolen Valor: Feeling Like a Cancer ImpostorStolen valor is the term for some nimrod who has never served his country and puts on a costume of a military nature with phony ribbons and citations. I use... By Guy Wheatley2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
2 Easy Recipes to Get You Excited About Healthy EatingIn my first article, I offered some ideas to help you start on the path to healthy (fresh) eating. That article addressed the numerous reasons we already know such as... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Navigating Medicare & Medicare Advantage Plans With Bladder CancerI read a distressing story about a bladder cancer patient that got me curious about Medicare and the unintended consequences of choosing a certain plan. In February, the New York... By Renata Louwers4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
Building Our Support Teams: You Are Not AloneI clearly remember the day I was given a diagnosis of bladder cancer, a type of cancer I had never hear of. I soon discovered that bladder cancer was not... By Linda Urbanski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Infographic: Pain Management Treatment and CareIn September of 2019, Health Union (the parent company of BladderCancer.net) partnered with the US Pain Foundation for our first ever Chronic Pain in America survey to ask members of... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
The Power of Sharing Your StoryHistorically, when a person was battling cancer, it was very hush-hush. It wasn't even discussed within the confines of the person's household, let alone with others outside the household. It... By Liz Hiles3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Creating a New "Tribe" Due to Bladder CancerEveryone in life has their own "tribe." You know, your group of people - friends and family - who love and support you through thick and thin. Those who actually... By Liz Hiles2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
One Year Later: Living with an Ostomy and Stoma Care TipsWell, it's official: I have had my life-saving stoma for an entire year now. Within 2 weeks of my diagnosis, my oncologists and surgeons knew I needed to have my... By Brittney Tellekamp5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Follow Your Intuition About a DoctorYour doctor — be it your urologist, medical oncologist, radiologist, or other specialist treating you for bladder cancer — is your partner. He or she is there to help you... By Renata Louwers2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
During and After My R/IC Surgery: I Made it to the Finish LineMy surgery date for a radical cystectomy/ileal conduit (RC/IC) arrived quickly. The weeks prior were a flurry of appointments, pre-surgery testing, and keeping my mind occupied elsewhere. I still have not decided... By Linda Urbanski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Your Treatment Choices Are Your Own – and Others’ Are TheirsAs any cancer patient or caregiver can tell you, everyone has an opinion about how to treat your cancer. And many of those people will let you know what they... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
Reflecting on Four Years Since My DiagnosisOn August 9th, 2016, I went to the urologist to have a cystoscopy. This simple procedure permanently altered the course of my life. At 40 years old, I had experienced... By Liz Hiles3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Newly Diagnosed with Bladder Cancer? Build Your Care TeamI think good medical and emotional support for a bladder cancer patient comes from three sources: All three are important to fully support a patient and family facing bladder cancer... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
The Youngest in the RoomAs I sit in the waiting room of my cancer center, I look around and see the chairs spaced a perfect six feet apart. There are no visitors, and everyone’s... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
After the Diagnosis: Treating T1 High-Grade Bladder CancerI was absolutely shocked by a bladder cancer diagnosis in late August 2014. Earlier the same day, my youngest daughter told me that she and her husband were finally expecting their... By Linda Urbanski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Caregivers Feel Rage, TooIt has been 6 years since I was a caregiver in the trenches of stage IV bladder cancer. My husband and I were on a desperate quest to save his... By Renata Louwers2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
UTI or Bladder Cancer? Misdiagnosed Twice!It was the fall of 2013, and I was having a great time with friends and family at Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio. It appeared that my only "attraction" was... By Linda Urbanski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
The Rewarding Work of Being a Volunteer Moderator for an Advanced Cancer Caregiver Support GroupIn my Part One article, I wrote about the nonprofit AnCan's Advanced Cancer Caregivers’ Call that I co-moderate. This virtual support group is based on a “peer-to-peer” format. What does... By Renata Louwers4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
The Days, Weeks, and Months Surrounding a Bladder Cancer DiagnosisThe days, weeks, and months surrounding a bladder cancer diagnosis can look different for each person. Some people experience the most common bladder cancer symptom (blood in urine) and are... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments12 comments
10 Questions for Your Doctor Right After You Are Diagnosed With Bladder CancerIn Part One, I addressed the three first steps I recommended taking right after you are diagnosed with bladder cancer. In this part, I offer you some ideas for questions... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments