Five Years No Recurrence

By biscuit53

1 min read

My bladder cancer journey started five years ago. I'm an avid bicyclist riding my Trek road bike 40 miles a week. After a strenuous 30-mile ride, I had blood in my urine. I had never had this before. I said nothing to my wife. I went on another casual ride the next day with no blood.

Seeing a Urologist

The next day, the blood returned after another 30-mile hard ride. I went to my GP the next day and was immediately referred to a Urologist. I went for a CT scan and a scoping the next week. I had a smallish, single tumor which was removed successfully with no problems. My Urologist prescribed no other treatments.

I feel fortunate

I've had many scopings over the years and all showed no evidence of bladder cancer. My doctor says to keep vigilant with yearly scopings which I plan to do. I still ride my Trek road bike for my own self-check weekly. I consider myself very fortunate in my bladder cancer journey.

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Laura MacKenzie Member
<inline-mention username="biscuit53" user-id="2063319"/> thanks so much for sharing your story with us. So glad to hear for the clear results. Stay healthy. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
1. Linda Urbanski Member
 @biscuit53 - thank you for this story as a reminder of the value of being vigilant and to continue with follow up exams and testing as long as possible. My best to you. Linda Urbanski ( moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>Bladdercancer.net</a> team member)
biscuit53 Member
Thanks. I just wanted to explain that some survivors have their tumor removed and never experience a recurrence. As I understand, with no recurrence in five years, my recurrence chances are about the same as the general population. Also, one small tumor, 1.4 cm in size, non-aggressive and slow growing are the best starting points thankfully. Truly blessed. 
1. Laura MacKenzie Member
 <inline-mention username="biscuit53" user-id="2063319"/> thanks so much for your supportive post. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a> 
2. Charles Anthony Ulloa Member
 <inline-mention username="biscuit53" user-id="2063319"/> wow thank you for sharing this! Someone like me, who tends to catastrophize events, would have a hard time imagining a bladder cancer battle can go as smoothly as you have described. Thank you so much for that! We need good news in this community just as much as some of the harder news. Thank you for joining and for contributing here on the site! All my best, Charles (Moderator / <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>)
Dan Franke Member
I was intially diagnosed in 2015. Stage zero-been scoped every year since. I sometimes think why am I doing the followup and we never find anything. Your doctors right-pays to do the maintenance and gain the peace of mind. DanFranke, team member. <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>Bladdercancer.net</a>.
1. Laura MacKenzie Member
 <inline-mention username="biscuit53" user-id="2063319"/> I think it is fascinating to see how different it can look. <a href='https://bladdercancer.net/video/tumor-looks-like' target='_blank'>https://bladdercancer.net/video/tumor-looks-like</a> Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
2. Linda Urbanski Member
 @biscuit53 - I am happy to her that you are low grade as that does make a difference. I was high grade and that tends to return more often but any cancer needs to be watched. I wish you the best at remaining NED. I also agree with your statement about lumping all NMIBC patients together. I am not a medical professional but we both had NMIBC diagnosis and had entirely different paths of treatment. I know people who went from low to high grade, those who had years NED and a sudden return. I personally believe that how our cancer reacts in our bodies and to treatments can be entirely different from someone else. That is why I also personally will continue annual testing regardless of whether my insurance will cover it. It is worth my peace of mind. My best to all Linda Urbanski (moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>Bladdercancer.net</a> team member)
biscuit53 Member
When you get diagnosed NMIBC, there are many factors that contribute to your path. To lump all patients together for recurrence percentages, I feel, is in error. I was just trying to illustrate all aspects and expectations of the outcome. I hope this has helped all of us.
1. Laura MacKenzie Member
 <inline-mention username="biscuit53" user-id="2063319"/> very useful and informative. Thanks. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
2. Charles Anthony Ulloa Member
 <inline-mention username="biscuit53" user-id="2063319"/> I agree wholeheartedly! The grading of aggressiveness alone is such a huge factor that should not be overlooked. I'm not medically trained, but my research and experience showed that even high-grade cancers can (and usually do) start off as non-muscle invasive. Thank you for bringing attention to this distinction. I hope many people get a chance to read your wise words! Charles (Moderator / <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>)