5th November 2015 - Neo-bladder day....

There was a years build up to this day of the big op.

Symptoms Started

It started with blood in urine causing me to see local GP. Who said nothing wrong from bloods taken...
6 months later: the blood in urine getting worse, so I asked a different doctor to do tests.

Tests are done

They are done and possible cancer found. Had to see a consultant in Newport. Mr. Adam Carter who did a cystectomy and found a definite cancer. He tried to remove as much as possible, but felt that as the cancer was deep into the bladder wall it would have to be removed. He then explained the options; either stoma and bags for life; or this operation to replace the bladder with a converted piece of inner tube intestine...

Chemo to finish

I then had adjuvant chemo to keep the cancer under control until the op could be scheduled. 5 Nov 2015...a great day but I remember very little of it as I was sleeping through all of it, lol.
So now I've had 10 years of extra life by having this op. It's not been easy...
I still have to sit down to pee...
I still have 'accidents',
I sleep with pads in....
But,
By God it was worthwhile!!