Will I Need to Pay to Be in a Clinical Trial?Clinical trials can provide an opportunity for patients to receive the latest treatment, provide a new treatment option for those whose previous treatment didn’t work, and allow patients to be...reactionscomments
5 Things Not To Say To Someone with Bladder CancerIt's tough to know the right things to say to anyone who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis. We want to make sure we are saying the right things that...reactionscomments
Bladder Cancer FAQsA bladder cancer diagnosis can be stressful and overwhelming, and sifting through information to get answers is difficult. More than 700,000 people are living with bladder cancer in the United...reactionscomments
Are You Given All the FACTS?Within 2 weeks of being diagnosed with bladder cancer, I was admitted to hospital for surgery to remove the tumor. The operation is called a transurethral resection of the bladder...reactionscomments
My TURBT ExperienceThe operation is called a transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Your surgeon removes the tumor in your bladder through the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine...reactions11comments
Tips to Prepare for a CystectomyI had a radical cystectomy earlier this year. This involved the removal of my bladder, cervix, appendix, anterior vaginal wall and a number of lymph nodes. I had an ileal...reactionscomments
BCG: It Was All Going So WellFor those of us diagnosed with non-invasive bladder cancer, there is some relief with the knowledge that there are treatments that can stop the spread of cancer from within the...reactions16comments
7 Tips to Get You Through the Holiday SeasonThis time last year I had received my bladder cancer diagnosis and was awaiting my Radical Cystectomy, scheduled for the 30th January. I had the whole holiday season to get through...reactionscomments
5 Things You Should Know Before Going To The Grocery StoreOne topic that came up once I was diagnosed with Stage IV bladder cancer was the topic of nutrition. I started to think I must change my diet and immediately...reactionscomments
The Clinical Trial Consent Form: Understanding Your Rights & ResponsibilitiesInformed consent is the term that signifies a person has been given information regarding all possible consequences for a treatment, including both potential risks and benefits. While informed consent frequently...reactionscomments
What's a Bladder Spasm? I Found Out the Hard WayAfter my surgery, a nurse came to the recovery room to prepare me for discharge. In her hand were prescriptions for three different medicines – an antibiotic to prevent UTIs...reactions4comments
What Can Giving Back Give You?Giving can seem like a one way street. We let go of something that belongs to us - often my money or clothing or food - so that someone in...reactionscomments
Genetic & Genomic Testing: What I LearnedHave you thought about cancer genetic testing, has your doctor mentioned it, or have you even heard of cancer genetic testing? I was one of those who had never heard...reactions2comments
Is It Important to Set Short and Long-Term Goals?So, why in my current position is this more poignant? I've just come through what was one of the toughest 6 months of my life. Not just physically, but mentally...reactionscomments
First Outing with My Stoma: What I LearnedSo, I had been home from the hospital for a couple of weeks and had been gradually increasing the amount of walking I was doing, firstly around the house: up...reactionscomments
The Importance of Early DetectionWhen it comes to early detection of bladder cancer, we can all turn to Google or any search engine and find out what the typical symptoms are. Typically blood in...reactionscomments
Why Wasn’t I Chosen for a Clinical Trial?In any clinical trial, participants must meet certain criteria to be eligible to participate. There are two commonly used terms when describing clinical trial eligibility, and those are “inclusion criteria”...reactionscomments
Who Has to Pee ALL the Time?ME!!! Oh my. When I was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer in April 2017, I had absolutely no symptoms. A tumor was found inside my bladder during my every 3 months...reactionscomments
My Cystoscopy ExperienceA cystoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the lining of your bladder and the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra). A hollow tube...reactions2comments
Understanding Your Pathology ReportGetting a bladder cancer diagnosis can be scary and surprising. The words used by your doctor may be confusing; the medical terms may not be familiar to you. To fully...reactions1comment