My bladder cancer battle

Posted by: Mike A in bladder cancer on May 22, 2007 Print PDF

So I have good news.  My 25 radiation treatments  and my 5 chemo treatments are finished.  Cat scan results yesterday as follows. Tumor is still present but it has loosened up considerably (The doctor used a word for this that I don't recall what it was)  In other words, the density is much less, it seems to be breaking up.   Also, all other traces of cancer in bladder are gone, and there is no trace of it spreading.  Lymphs are negative (perhaps they always were)

Now  - after a much needed week off - I'll take another 8 radiation treatments, but unlike the first round which was aimed to the entire bladder and surrounding region- this round will be pinpointed to the tumor itself, and will be much lghter according to the doctor.  Also tomorrow I see the oncologist to schedule 2 more chemo treatments - lighter as well, I hope.  Outside of a complete recovery it's the best news I can hear.  The radiation is having a positive effect, it's working.

A word on side effects -  painful burning during urination , and frequent, getting up as much as every hour during the night - as if the reservoir shrunk.   Bowel irregularites - and extreme fatigue - not at first but cumulatively as the treatments continue.  Even mowing the lawn can wipe you out.

Small price to pay for the news I heard today.
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Lou Graham
May 22, 2007

Mike,

I've only read your story from the beginning for the first time today, and as I was reading I was skeptical about the treatment the doctors were wanting to use. I'm so glad I was wrong, at least so it seems to me at this point anyway. I do hope it continues to improve as it has, and do know that I will have you in my prayers.
Keep sharing with us, it's so important to keep up (those of us on the board) with what's going on with different treatments.

Sincerely,

Lou Graham
RC 2/2004
N.E.D. 16 May 2007
Jeff
May 31, 2007

Onya Mike

That's great news. I am so pleased for you. Here's hoping the further treatments will blast that tumour to bits, so to speak. Given what you have been through I am amazed at your positive almost jovial tone. Still somebody once said that if you remain positive you often realise things are not as bad as they at first appeared to be and seemingly insurmountable problems simply melt away. I do hope you continue to respond positively to your treatment.

Hang in there my friend.  smilies/cheesy.gif

Jeff
Mike A
May 31, 2007

Once again - Thanks Jeff.   The word for my current situation is that the tumor is necrotic.  Still have to complete 6 more radiation treatments and 2 more chemo treatments at this point before we take another look.

A word on radiation side effects - Unlike Chemo which blasts you and results in immediate side effects - nausea etc.  Radiation side effects seem to effect you cumulatively, that is at first, nothing, but then it hits - slowly but steadily increasing as follows;

a-  the need to urinate constantly, with an accompanying burning feeling.  ( at the moment I can't get a straight hour sleep without the burning waking me up)  -  this burning is painful, and the need to constantly go does interfere with normal day to day life.
b - the inability to control your bowels when your urinate.  Better to sit and be safe.
c-  overwhelming tiredness and weakness -  an inability to do much of anything phsically without needing rest breaks.
d - a kind of mental malaise that goes with these conditions.  

It may be that these side effects are due to the extent of my pelvic treatment, and that with this secondary pinpoint treatment these side effects will dissipate.  We'll see.

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