Phil,
The damage from the radiation cystitis was producing a fistula near the bladder neck. I had a prior surgery in October to try to repair and seal that area with no success. Thus the cystectomy, while I was waiting for my appointment once we determined the repair was unsuccessful, the area that they had tried to repair started leaking again Through another fistula. The bacteria in the urine settles in the lowest part of your abdomen, which then can infect your pelvic/pubic bones. Through an MRI with contrast, they found that this infection was starting to deteriorate the pelvic bone in that area. So when they went to remove my bladder, they had to take out the damaged area of the bone until they saw a good bleeding bone For recovery. They tied in some antibiotic seeds to this area and now I am on a six week regiment of heavy duty infusion but able to do it at home thank God. The abdomen pain from the surgery is going very well. It is just the hip pain infection that is causing me mobility issues that I was not expecting. Al