My Cancer Adventure: Perspectives of a 74 Year Old Male

My cancer adventure started with prostate cancer 10 years ago. I went to Loma Linda for 45 proton radiation treatments which took about 3 months. I was cancer free after the treatments.

First signs of blood in urine

Last January I started having blood and clots in my urine which disappeared a few days later, I am thinking kidney stone which runs in the family. About 6 weeks later same thing, this time I got a appointment with Urology at Oregon State Health University in Portland.

In mid April they did the scope treatment on my bladder and found a tumor. One month later the first TURBT was performed and pathology report was invasive cancer.

A month later the second TURBT was done to see if the cancer had invaded the muscle which was found to be negative.

Some complications along the way

Meanwhile I got a infection with the usual symptoms, burning, urgency and bladder spasms. I went through 3 regiments of antibiotics which cleared the bacteria.

Now it's been 6 weeks since my last surgery and I still have the symptoms and am wearing Depends where ever I go. Called my Doctor who wants to start BCG treatments on Sept. 6. I told him there is no way I can hold anything in my bladder for 2 hours. He said we will just wait until Bladder heals and symptoms stop.

Hopefully the symptoms will stop, though I am not looking forward to the BCG treatments.

Onwards with my cancer adventure

My mental attitude is changing, I am beginning to realize that having scope treatments and BCG treatments will go on until I either die or removal of my bladder is necessary.

I am trying to stay active and do everything I used to do but it's difficult at times. I feel sorry for you younger people who have to go through this, people my age expect this sort of thing.

Anyway, I will keep you abreast of my cancer adventure.

What is your cancer story?