My TURBT Experience and Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

I am 69 years old. In January 2025 I had unexplained blood in my urine from Friday morning until Sunday.

Heading to the doctor

I called my Ob/Gyn right away and made an appointment for the following Tuesday. I provided a urine sample and my Ob/Gyn said that upon inspection I was fine and needed to see a Urologist to check for Kidney or Bladder Cancer. I made an appointment to see a local Urologist in my insurance group and saw him about 3 weeks later.

A Cystoscopy

At the Urologist appointment the doctor performed a cystoscopy with a live video view of my bladder. He pointed to some thing and said do you know what that is? I said it looks like a flower. He said to me " That is bladder cancer". He explained in detail what they proposed to do . I was to have a TURBT to remove the growth which he said looks like we caught it early. After the removal the doctor said he would inject the area with a chemo to keep any stray cells from reattaching. The surgery was fine. I came home with severe pain each time I urinated which was quite often.

Treatment and incontinence

My doctor warned me that it would be awhile before I felt better but I was in agony and I was also having anxiety about my continence. I started to wear a diaper and remained home and close to the toilet for the first couple of weeks. I called the doctor office for help with the stinging when I urinated. I was told that it was normal. That was all. It wasn't until my post op visit to the Urologist that I was given a prescription for Oxybutynin. It helped drastically but it also made me groggy. I took it anyway and still take it now over a month later. I hope I don 't ever need that TURBT again because it was extremely painful and I feel like I have developed a need for the oxybutynin for the rest of my life!

I am greatful to have received the pathology report on the tissue that was removed from my bladder was determined "NOT CANCER". In 3 months I will see the Urologist again for a cystoscopy . I hope that I am clear at that time but it is quite possible that I may be required to get my bladder checked every couple of months for the rest of my life. If it keeps me from having a full blown case of Cancer I will gladly make the appointments ! My only advice to others is insist on pain management when you need it! Only you know exactly when it is not manageable.