Blog Entries

Member blogs are "frozen" for now

joris@tielkes.nl — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0100

Because of a recent attempt to hack our blogs we have had to disable the login for this section. For now it is not possible to login to update your blog, or to add a new blog. We are sorry for that. When a solution is available we will re-open.

Keeping the Faith!

acorte@uic.edu — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0100

Had another clean Cysto today :). Has been over a year without a trace of the cancer. Will start a final maintenance session (3 treatments) of BCG in the next three weeks. If interested in details on my story, see my first post on November 9, 2010. Keep the faith!

December 2011 Update

mildew@spin.net.au — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:00:00 +0100

Had a further cystoscopy in September 2011 without hitch and did not reveal any recurrence ;D Due for further check in 1 year. Last December was my 3rd occurence of bladder cancer within 4 and the future is a worry, especially considering I have had bowel cancer previously and have an inherited gene that predisposes me to the latter.

Diagnosed with cancer 2

wendydos@mweb.co.za — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0100

Went for my 2nd BCG instillation on Wednesday, with no problems. Discussed my side effects with my doctor. (Chills after 24 hours and minute blood spot on the Tuesday - 6 days after instillation). He said that side effects indicate that the medication is working. (Horay for side effects)

This time however my side effects began about 2 hours after receiving the BCG - Chills and fever (flu like) and the most agonising burn upon urination (only the first 2 times). Also had s [...]

Diagnosed with cancer

wendydos@mweb.co.za — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0100

Hi, my Name is Wendy and I am 51 years old. In April and September 2010 I presented with gross hermaturia. Went to my GP (general practioner) and after a urine test she prescribed an antibiotic for a UTI. After 2 days on both occasions the bleeding stopped. Then in February 2011 it started again. My GP again tested for an infection, gave me an antibiotic. After 7 days the appearance of blood had not subsided and my GP referred me to a Urologist.

I wen [...]

BCG Treatment

mrf_foxcoinc@comcast.net — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0100

I have as of today reached the 1 year anniversary since my diagnosis. Stage 1, non muscle bladder cancer. I am 45 years old.

I underwent two resection/biopsies with mitromyicin and a 6 week induction with BCG. So far, a year later I am clean.

I am wondering about others experience with the BCG treatment. I handled it well, with the first three treatments being a breeze and the last three being painful but tolerable. I did experience some mild flu like symptoms with my energy [...]

Dad just diagnoised with Bladder Cancer

tamara.carnagie@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0100

On 9/13 my father (60) was just diagnoised with bladder cancer. He has had blood in his urine off and on for over a year. Of course the Dr that he went to told him it was just a UTI and gave him meds for it. Last month he was in severe pain and the bleeding was worse. We took him to the ER and they put a cath in and sent him home. Later that day the cath clogged and he had to go back to the ER where they put in a bigger one to pass the clots and made an appointme [...]

At a crossroad

jjdtad@comcast.net — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0100

I'm new to the Bladder Cancer WebCafe but I have been reading many blogs and infromation from it since my diagnosis in March 2011. A great site!

I'm a 52 year old female in great health and very active. I had been diagnosed with Ta Grade 1 and immediately started BCG. After the second biopsy the result was the same. The first biopsy the doctor had taken from 2 areas, the second biopsy from three areas. The malignancy showed up in one new area of the three. As soon as I cou [...]

Bladder Cancer and signs of the end of life

tpeter4120@comcast.net — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0100

Hi: I am caring for a significant other who has stage 4 bladder cancer with mets to the bone. I was wondering what I might expect when it comes to the end for him. Will he have gross blood in his urine? Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks. Terry

Good bye

rpark4838@msn.com — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0100

My husband lost his battle with bladder cancer on 8-24-2011, I miss him so much but know that he is not in pain and is not suffering. God will take of you in heaven Rick

Some times you think you are in the clear

rpark4838@msn.com — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0100

Not sure where to start or what I really want to say , so as they say begin at start of what is now my husbands story . My husband is 46 and was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in March of this year. We then had his bladder removed on April 18th where the doctor removed 18 lymph nodes with no sign of mets. When we first got home he complained that his back hurt but blamed it on the new way he was sleeping. Finally in July he went to see his urologist for a check because of the pain. [...]

July 27 2011

andrewgeorgia@yahoo.com — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0100

July 2011 Cysto went well. All clear, no Biopsy Needed. Dr Follow up in 2-3 weeks

MY FATHER JACK

karensons1962@hotmail.com — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0100

My father was diagnosed with bladder cancer 5 years ago he is 82 years old presently. It was non muscle invasive bladder cancer so he had BCG treatments. The next check up showed tumors growing again in his bladder and he had his second tur with tumor removal. They them tried the BCG again and his check up after that revealed more tumor growth with spreading to the prostate. He has his 3rd tur with tumor removal. At this time they said his only option was to have his bladder out he refused an [...]

Severe Weight Loss After Surgery

l_clis@hotmail.com — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0100

My husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer in December 2010 and attempted to take chemo prior to surgery to remove his bladder (muscle invasive) but he could not tolerate the chemo or radiation. His surgery was May 16th and in the hospital for 11 days because he had a reaction to the drug Reglan(?) Prior to surgery he was in "good health" working out 3 times a week and weight was at 175. His weight when dismissed was 169 but expected this to drop due to fluid retint [...]

Confused and Frustrated

sherry.varner@rocketmail.com — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0100

My 67 y/o mother was diagnosed with muscle invasive bladder cancer a little more than four months ago. Since the diagnosis we have seen several doctors and it seems like each one is telling us something different.

The first urologist we saw, the one who made the diagnosis, told me after he did the biopsy that he was able to remove the entire tumor. That is was cancer and it would require some follow-up chemotherapy but the tumor was removed. I breathed a huge sigh [...]

NEW TREATMENT OPTION IN THE U.S.

tabsp@aol.com — Sat, 28 May 2011 01:00:00 +0100

I was diagnosed with stage 3, muscle invasive bladder cancer in September of 2009. Of course I was immediately and repeatedly told that radical cystoprostatectomy was absolutely my only option. Upon extensive research and finding the incredibly poor results that this radical surgery offered, my wife and I left no stone unturned trying to find an alternative.

I agreed to take the 3 months of chemo that was recommended prior to the surgery only because I was hopeful that [...]

My Dad part five

elaine@xenzone.com — Sun, 08 May 2011 01:00:00 +0100

Well Dad is now home! He came home Friday night around 8pm. Almost a month in hospital. Carolyn, my sister, and my Mum went to collect him. The nursing staff were wonderful. As he left, Dali one of the nurses (she is from India I think), took Dad's face in her hands, looked deeply into his eyes and said, 'Now look after yourself. I will pray for you.' Vinh the vietnamese nurse told him to 'listen to your body,' and as he walked out to the nurse's station, one of them s [...]

My Dad part four

elaine@xenzone.com — Sun, 01 May 2011 01:00:00 +0100

Better and better news.

Dad is now eating and is his old self again. To hear him laugh on the telephone yesterday was as beautiful as hearing the wind rustle the long grass, the sea lapping at the shore and the feel of hot sun on skin. He is alive. He is still part of this world. And I am so bloody grateful. Dad loves nature - he loves nothing more than to be outside and I hope this gorgeous weather we have been blessed with remains. Nothing will be more life-confirming for him t [...]

jp jackson pratt

lwash7@msn.com — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0100

I AM A CAREGIVER MY HUSBAND HAD HIS BLADDER REMOVE AND NOW HE HAS THE NEO BLADDER WHICH HAS A HOLE SOME WHERE. HE STILL HAS JP TO DRAIN THE EXCESS URINE. IT'S BEEN 6MOS. WE'VE TRIED OXGEN CHAMBER, TUBES IN KIDNEY THAT FAIL, COULDN;T GET TUBES IN. WILL BE TRYING IT AGAIN MONDAY, NOW THROUGH SOME VAINS. I HATE THEY HAVE TO START BOTHERING HIS KIDNEYS. WE NEED HELP FAST.

HAVE ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND WHAT DID THEY DO ABOUT IT

HELPLESS

My Dad part three

elaine@xenzone.com — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0100

All seems to be going well. After a long haul of anti-biotics, intravenous feeding and physiotherapy, Dad has beaten the wound infection, the chest infection and has managed to have 'movement' in his bowels. We are definately going to have a poo party now!

He is now on limited food intake (jelly) with tiny sips of tea. They are keeping the intravenous feeding going as well. Last night he was laughing and even better, having a moan! Dad loves a good old moan.

Today (d [...]