Welcome to my weblog: My name is Leigh and I am a 38 year old male living in The Netherlands. In July 2007 I was diagnosed with invasive bladder cancer. I certainly hope that my journey will also help others faced with bladder cancer, which may be from any perspective, patient, caregiver, friends and family. Kind Wishes Leigh http://blcwebcafe.org Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:43:30 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ I forgot to mention my classification has been changed from Mx to Mo... leigh@zeelandnet.nl Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-618.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ Dear Forum,<br /><br />Today I had an appointment with my Urologist to discuss my scan results.<br /><br />He was very happy with the results so far and suggested that I have a repeat CT scan in three months. This time it will be a full body scan instead of the usual torso.<br /><br />Having just come back from a Urology conference his advise to me was that I should supplement my diet with all of the B vitamins and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables instead of processed foods. And to take [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-617.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ Dear Forum,<br /><br />The days building up to my appointment today for the results of the CT scan were very difficult although this weekend I had a feeling of peace. A feeling that everything will be ok and this gave also a feeling of calm. <br /><br />Today in the waiting room of course my stomach was once again turning with nerves until my oncologist called me in.<br /><br />The scan was clear which is fantastic news....nothing could be seen except a small bladder stone in my new bladder.<br [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,Leighs-Journey-With-Bladder-Cancer-.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The first chemo is now doing its search and destroy mission and thankfully it is operating in stealth mode as I have no complaints.<br /><br />My lovely neighbour and friend drove me to the hospital and stayed with me for my first round. It was advised to be accompanied the first time in case of an adverse reaction which would stop me from driving home. As I had no problems I will drive myself in the future. <br /><br />As I have a new bladder the capacity to hold urine is very low and I noticed [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:05:46 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,Leighs-Journey-With-Bladder-Cancer.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The adjuvant chemo:<br /><br />The appointment with the chemo nurse went well and the finer points of the drugs to be used and side effects were covered in great detail. As it is a progressive treatment the side effects will increase as the treatments continue. The side effects of the treatment are varied ranging from sickness, flu like symptoms, nerve damage, hearing loss and hair loss. All of which are temporary while under the influence of these poisons they will be giving me. <br /><br />Aft [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:03:40 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-616-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The last dose of this second chemo cycle was given today with a reduced dose because of low blood platelets.<br /><br />&nbsp; <br />Now I am entering into the rest phase for a couple of weeks before cycle three begins. This may be delayed one week because of the operation on the 20th. <br /><br />&nbsp; <br />Next Monday I meet up with my oncologist to get confirmation on this and to have a full blood work up to check my general health.&nbsp; <br /><br />So that&rsquo;s it for the chemo for a f [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-615-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The look and see operation is provisionally booked for the 20th March and I am waiting for a confirmation letter for this date.<br /><br />&nbsp; <br />Apparently three days have been scheduled although the Urologist mentioned a one night stay if it is a minor repair. I guess they have to be cautious because of the chemo treatment at the moment which will extend the normal recovery.<br /><br />&nbsp; <br />Instead of getting my blood levels checked the day before each chemo I have been advised t [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-614-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The fog is lifting today thankfully and I slept really well as I only woke up to take a pee once in the night.<br /><br />&nbsp; <br />I feel pretty refreshed today considering the effects of the last week&rsquo;s chemo on my body, mind and spirit.<br /><br />&nbsp; <br />I jumped into the shower and my belly requested some nourishment so I have just scoffed down a couple of cheese and cucumber sandwiches and they were great.<br /><br />&nbsp; <br />The plan of action today is to use this energy [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-613-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ I am feeling pretty fragile at the moment and just trying to take things one day at a time. <br /><br />It has been a struggle to function lately and this has hit me emotionally very hard this last week. <br /><br />This is only the second cycle and I thought the side effects I have right now would have tapered off a little but they remain. <br /><br />It is a foggy feeling and concentration is difficult and everything is just too much effort. <br /><br />When I try to do my daily chores I am be [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-612-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The cisplatin is a bitch:<br /><br />This time round it has hit me hard and I have found it testing to find my feet the last few days. It has hit me like a wave of tiredness and with feelings of lacklustre and everything is just a struggle at the moment.<br /><br />I am sleeping more and more and I have headaches throughout the day and since Thursday I have had a feeling of nausea although luckily I have not been physically sick. <br /><br />Constipation has been pretty bad since Wednesday altho [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-611-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ I am home again after the Cisplatinum chemo one night stay. <br /><br />During the administration of the Cisplatinum I had cramp in my hand for around 3 hours which was not very pleasant. <br /><br />The night time was the usual busy schedule of going to the toilet every hour because of all the fluids they give me to flush out the chemo. <br /><br />It is pretty gruelling and tiring but I am home now so I am going to bed soon for a little sleep so that I can enjoy the evening. <br /><br />The ba [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-61-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The second round chemo has been confirmed a go and the one night stay Wednesday for the big one. <br /><br />Not sure what lifted my blood levels could have been the overload of fruit and vegetables I have been eating this last week. <br /><br />Pomegranates are known to be a powerful antioxidant and body booster and I have had loads of this juiced this week.&nbsp; <br /><br />The battle goes on&hellip;. leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-69-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ My Urologist would like to take a look at my neo bladder to check out the 2cm mass.<br /><br />He does not know for sure what exactly it is and needs to take a look and repair any damage. The opening to my new bladder is also too small and needs enlarging as when I urinate it just trickles out.<br /><br />Today he tried to insert a catheter and it just refused to go inside the neo bladder.&nbsp; <br /><br />I have to wait now to be called up for the operation within the next three weeks.<br /><b [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-68-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ The echo scan has left me worried as a 2cm mass was found inside my new bladder, the radiologist was unsure of what it could be. He was a very nice man and tried to calm me with his gentle voice. <br /><br />To get a clearer picture he also took a standard x-ray but this did not make it any clearer for him as to the makeup of the mass. He would like the Urologist to have a look at it tomorrow also. <br /><br />So when I call at 10:00 in the morning I will hear what the next steps are going to be [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-67-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ Second cycle:<br /><br />My white blood cells are remaining low and if I have no improvement overnight then the second round of chemo will be delayed for one week.&nbsp; <br /><br />Tomorrow I have my blood taken once more early in the morning and at 10:00 I can call for the results of the blood work. They will also confirm if the chemo will go ahead at 13:00 or delay it for a week. <br /><br />Later today I have an echo scan to check my abdomen and hopefully get to the bottom of the back pain w [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-66-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ So that is the first month of chemo out the way and now I have a rest period for nearly two weeks. <br /><br />I received three quarters of the usual amount of chemo today because of the low blood platelets.<br /><br />The chemo nurse explained that the low blood platelets are for clotting purposes, and I just have to take care not to cut or bash my body. Bruising of the skin is much easier with low platelet counts so I will be a fragile sensitive boy for a few weeks&hellip;..lol <br /><br />Hop [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-65-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ I am amazed at how quickly the laboratory works in forwarding the results of my blood tests. Just 40 minutes after I got home and I receive a call with the results.<br /><br />My blood platelets are low but they will continue to offer the 15th day chemo tomorrow although with a smaller dose.I feel perfectly fine although I am not sure if having low blood platelets would have any special feeling. <br /><br />Apparently it has something to do with the bloods clotting system and too low levels can [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-64-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ Day 8 of the chemo has just finished and I am so thankful for no drama&rsquo;s this last week. <br /><br />The last couple of days have been harder on my body as I have been feeling tired and weaker and I am sleeping longer and longer.<br /><br />My mouth is a little sore and dry although I have kept up with the regime of using a soft brush and rinsing four times a day with salt water.&nbsp; I have the feeling I am clenching down in my mouth more which is probably also due to the stress of the f [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-63-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ I checked into the Oncology ward for the second round of chemo.&nbsp; Firstly they hydrated my system with IV fluids for four hours. <br /><br />Then I had the IV anti sickness medicine Emend 80mg and Dexamethason 6mg for another 15 minutes also followed up with a 15 minute IV cleanse. <br /><br />The Cisplatinum chemo was administered over 3 hours through the IV also finishing with a 15 minutes cleanse. <br /><br />Then I had IV fluid once more for two hours and then the anti sickness meds were [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer http://blcwebcafe.org/component/option,com_myblog/show,38-year-old-with-Bladder-Cancer-6-1.html/Itemid,212/lang,english/ Home alone:<br /><br />Now that the operation is all over I have no regrets for choosing to have the neo bladder. I would be lying if I said it was easy it certainly was not.<br /><br />At times during my first few days I did have lots of regrets and thought I had made a big mistake for choosing the neo bladder. The other operation for the stoma bag would have been easier on my body and the recovery time much quicker. However I came through it all and I am alive and I am so very thankful and app [...] leigh@zeelandnet.nl Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0100 bladder cancer