Bladder Surgery to remove and determine stage, type, etc..

Hi @stans2000, it sounds like you will be going through what @rose1966's husband did. He is just a few weeks ahead of you. Rose explains a bit more about what to expect in this related discussion:

- Bladder Tumor Scraping: What is recovery from TURBT like? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/turbt-first-time-for-husband-with-bladder-tumor/

@saaron79 @rone1701808 @mjklymasss @jimg56 may also have more to share through their experiences.

Stan, it is possible that you will get the results of the diagnostic testing on the patient portal before your appointment with the cancer team. The discussion with the cancer team to discuss the results and next steps will be an important one.

Hi Stan
Thanks Colleen for tagging me on this conversation. I don’t see the thread, but based on the above, yes Stan, you may get the result on the patient portal, however, I only got mine in the physician’s office following the TURBT procedure about 1 week later. Maybe best so I didn’t panic 🤗.
The recovery is not bad at all. Slight bleeding after, anticipated because of the incision left in the bladder ( or scrapping), but minimal to no pain. Pleasantly surprising. They recommend a 10-day or so low activity period, thereafter you should be good. Once you see the Md, you will know next steps. I was clear after my removal, and have been going for cystoscopies every 3 months, to be done for 2 years

@stans2000 Hi Stan, my husband just went for TURBT surgery. The Urologist gave him anesthesia for Bladder tumor scraping, biopsy, and cauterize the area. First, he had blue dye given through an IV to hold in his bladder(I was with him in the room)It was so the Urologist could do the Blue Light Surgery….all the tumors light up…makes it easier to find them. He held the blue dye in for about 45 minutes…and then I got the nurse …He wanted to hold it for the hour…but 45 minutes was his breaking point! Then, he was able to use the bathroom a few times before surgery. He walked into the surgery room at Yale and I had to go wait in the sitting room. It took about 2 hours because the Urologist had to scrape all the tumors out and then he sends the biopsies to the lab. The pathology report came in 2 days later. My husband has MIBC . Stage 2. When I was allowed into the after surgery room…my husband was up eating English Muffins with real butter on (I wanted some!) and drinking liters of water. He felt fine. The only thing that bothered him a bit was the Foley catheter. So, the Urologist gave him Flomax, Tylenol to take with Percocet, and a certain med to prevent UTI to take for 3 days. Then, the Urologist took the Foley catheter out on the 3rd day. It’s a pretty easy surgery. The Urologist will scrape all the tumors out of your bladder and then fulguration…where he will seal the bladder. My husband had about 20 tumors that were scraped out. The urologist…He went as deep as he could to take everything out. The recovery is not bad at all. Just keep drinking water. You need to drink 2 Liters a day. Stay away from spicy and acidic foods so not to irritate your bladder. Make sure the bag is on your leg. It cannot be high up. Has to be on your calf. Very easy to empty. My husband is now going for Chemo 3 months and then a RC at Yale. We see the Oncologist tomorrow to go over the chemo/immunotherapy plan. So sorry you had to go near those pits. But thank you for serving our country. My husband is 63 and never smoked or worked with any chemicals. He’s always eaten healthy and ran everyday.
If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer. God bless. I’ll be praying for a quick recovery and a great pathology report.

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Thank you also for your service. I am a 50-year-old (female) also with bladder cancer. I also never smoked and somehow found myself with this cancer. I can't speak to the testing you may or may not get or your urologist treatment plan for you, but I can share a couple of tips with you as it sounds like I am a little further down the road with this journey, having had three recurrences and four surgeries in three years. My first tip is this: if you start treatment after your surgery (most likely BCG), be patient with the process and yourself. There isn't a quick fix for most patients. Most people average 5-10 years trying to find something that will work for them, and until then, you will play whack-a-mole with your tumors. Do whatever you need to do to stay muscle-non-invasive. Sorry, that is something I wish someone would have just told me bluntly to begin with to control my expectations. Next, You must advocate for yourself to ensure you get the best care. Speak up and say to your providers what you need. You have needs and rights, and trust me, nobody will fight harder for you than you.

I had the TURBT and the recovery went smoothly. Rest and a lot of liquids were prescribed. I'm on Medicare, so they provided a visiting nurse who was very helpful. I had had a problem with clots forming not allowing me to pass urine. The visiting nurse was able to flush the catheter tubes, and showed me how to do it myself. That was most helpful. The only downside with the catheter is the spasms I experienced from time to time. They were enough to make me swear and moan a bit, but easy enough to tolerate. It was a relief to finally have it removed.
A followup cystoscopy revealed some vestiges of the cancer so I underwent BCG treatment which was tolerable but not all that pleasant. So far my bladder is clear.
I hope your situation turns out to be favorable. Wishing you all the best!

Almost identical to what I went through. Early urine brown blood than red. Went to urologist did Ct Scan and had my first Cystoscopy on Jan 4. My review 2 weeks later was high grade carcinoma. I had 1 Surface of bladder had cancer cell. No cancer cells in muscular wall. I had the urine bad for 3 days, some pain but very uncomfortable. Took it out day 3. Slight Pain and burn for about 4 days than I was petty fine. On Feb4 Had second cystoscopy to remove more tissue from the surrounding area. Pathology report still showed cancer cells.
No bag this time but urinating was painful for about 4 days. The urologist gave me pain med which helped with the pain. I go in another 10 days for follow up with the Urologist and most likely chemo.

Well, my TURBT surgery was on Thursday, but unfortunately the bleeding never stopped. Imagine bleeding around the catheter because the catheter is clogged. Too painful to even describe. I ended up with so many blood clots, that I ending up in the Emergency room (several attempts to flush the catheter) on Friday and another Surgery on Saturday to remove the blood clots and cauterize the bladder wall again. The Surgeon said it was one of the worst cases he has ever seen in his career. I was discharged on Sunday with absolutely no bleeding. I'll have to continue with the catheter for a few more days.

@stans2000 sounds really painful! glad everything is under control now. What hospital are you being treated at? Have you been given your Pathology report yet? My husband, Dwight got a call from the urologist the next night because his was MIBC stage 2. He just got his chemo port put in today. Starts Gem/Cisplatin tomorrow. You are in my prayers 🙏

Bladder is not working properly. Catheter was changed with a slightly smaller one for another 5 days. No pathology report yet. It's only been 1 week.

@stans2000 hi Stan, It’s important that you drink 2 liters of water a day…to flush out your system and any toxins…it will get better. I know it’s a tough road….Try to stay positive. My husband’s bladder still hurts a bit from the scraping last month and he’s feeling better since catheter is out. That really hurt him. Took so many pain meds for it. But it will get better. He’s on chemo treatments now…gem/cis once a week for 8x. Then, RC. Praying for complete and total healing for you xx