1. < Bladder Cancer
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Has anyone refused treatment after being diagnosed?

Posted by kjr11 @kjr11, Oct 1 7:11am

Since I first posted June 15, 2026 wondering if I should have the TURBT. I still have not received any traditional treatment for my bladder cancer. (I have also not had any issues or symptoms since last February when there was blood in my urine for a few days.)

I stopped smoking June 4, 2026, haven't looked back. (I was never a heavy smoker, but for years smoked at least 5-6 cigarettes per day.) I've radically changed my diet (not that it was terrible before), cut my sugar intake by 1/2 or more, no more overly processed foods, incorporated more cruciferous vegetables into meals. I follow a food protocol recommended by an alternative cancer choices group. The only supplement I take is D3 K2, and also drink green tea every day. I walk 2 miles per day, if not walking, I'm biking a 10-12 mile route. I'm in the best shape of my life, no longer have weak legs due to poor circulation, no fatigue whatsoever. Also sleeping better, of course breathing SO much better, and have a lot more energy. I’ve also lost 23 pounds, which brings me to my ideal weight, and gained a lot more muscle mass in my legs.

My CT scan from May 2026 originally clearly showed that the tumor had broken the bladder wall, which meant stage 3 or possibly stage 4. I was advised to undergo TURBT, but refused. There may be issues in the future, but for now, I truly believe that the body can heal itself under the right conditions.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.

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kjr11 | @kjr11 | Oct 5 8:49am
In reply to @sepdvm "@kjr11 As fellow patients we all hope that you can find success in treating your cancer...." + (show)
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@kjr11 As fellow patients we all hope that you can find success in treating your cancer. We share our experiences with hope that they can benefit others. You are actively researching and working on your method of controlling your disease. I have done and continue to follow up with complementary treatments which may or may not have helped my survival of metastatic SCC of head and neck for 14 years. I have also followed the medical advice of my team at Mayo Clinic first and foremost. My husband is the bladder cancer survivor...so far so good.
I have a couple of interesting books to suggest as you are researching... How Not to be My Patient by Ed Creagan MD, a palliative care physician at Mayo Clinic. He describes all the lifestyle changes to support your health. I love this book.
Also Radical Remissions by Kelly Turner. It inspires one with hope when we are delving for answers.
I hope you can see that these other patients are also just sharing their advice and experiences. While some may sound like lectures, the intent is not to direct your decisions, but to share their education in cancer treatment. Please join us in helping others by sharing your experience.

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@sepdvm Thank you for the book recommendations.

And it may be hard to read "tone" in these forums, so I would like to also say that I hope I do not come off as defensive when I'm simply making a statement. Regarding your last sentence, I have been forthcoming and shared my experience thus far.

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sd619 | @sd619 | Oct 7 11:24am
In reply to @deidre77 "Hello @kjr11 With all due respect, I think perhaps you have misconstrued the replies and good..." + (show)
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Hello @kjr11
With all due respect, I think perhaps you have misconstrued the replies and good intentions of those who responded.

Since joining this group a year ago, I have found the members possess a high degree of sympatico, understanding and empathy. Their responses to you represented concern and awareness of the seriousness of your diagnosis and was meant in the spirit of helping, not lecturing. I surely would have appreciated such forthrightness and may I suggest you rationally consider what ultimately would be to your benefit and add some thought as to what knowledgeable physicians recommend.

Do you have the kind of insurance which would permit you to have the suggested treatment? If not, is this one of the reasons why you have decided not to proceed?

I am happy to hear you are presently feeling well and fit. I agree that very often the body does possess the ability to heal itself. However, as you must realize - not in all cases. A healthy dose of knowledge about both body and illness goes a long way in clarifying our beliefs.

Please, this is a not a lecture. I do not know you and yet we have a commonality in that we have found this support group - so in a sense, it seems we are both seeking feedback and/or advice in some way.

I sincerely wish that you are comfortable with any choice you make. However, while you can strengthen your body in various ways - the reality is that tumor/tumors are present and are extraordinarily unlikely to disappear on their own.

Sending my best wishes,
Barbara

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@deidre77
Replaying to your question. I do not know of anyone with similar experience such as yours. All of the ones I know, including myself, or undergoing or have gone through some type of bladder cancer medical treatment. Your decision your life. Wish you the best my friend.

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Deidre77 | @deidre77 | Oct 7 2:02pm
In reply to @sd619 "@deidre77 Replaying to your question. I do not know of anyone with similar experience such as..." + (show)
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@deidre77
Replaying to your question. I do not know of anyone with similar experience such as yours. All of the ones I know, including myself, or undergoing or have gone through some type of bladder cancer medical treatment. Your decision your life. Wish you the best my friend.

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@sd619
I think you had meant to send your message to the person who began this thread - not me.

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rose1966 | @rose1966 | Oct 11 3:00pm

Yes, my husband refused treatment after the TURBT. He hated the catheter . He was 63 1/2 yrs old and had blood in his urine. He’s 65 now. Well, the scan with contrast was done and it showed that the tumor was breaking through the bladder wall…going inside the muscle. He was trying all natural remedies….and seemed to be doing well. He kept saying that he never felt better. Our daughters found out and basically talked to him..We all prayed about it. He went for the Gemcitabine and Cisplatin…..He was in Stage 3 or 4. Then went for the bladder removal. It was a RC Robotic. No scars. I was in the hospital with him and he was so relieved that it was over and done with. It wasn’t as bad as we thought. He came home and has a urinary diversion….a stoma with a pouch attached…He has joined a swimming club where they all show off their diversions and jump in the ocean….swim. He loves it.
He recovered within a couple of months and went back to his accounting position. He was in excellent shape when he went into the surgery….loves cycling…swimming, jogging…etc. A year later he had his appendix removed and God Bless him….he recovers quickly.
But, if it weren’t for our daughters…(it’s been about 2 years now) he would have gone the route that you are on. But he tells me that the surgery and recovery were pretty average for pain. He really didn’t even need me for much. Very independent. He says he feels all back to normal again.
I am praying for you….that God gives you the discernment to make the best choice or the choice that you are most at peace with. That God put His Healing Hands on you and gives you complete healing.

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bettychamb | @bettychamb | 1 day ago

I had a TURBT and was glad I did. It is really not a real big deal and it's just one more step toward diagnosing. Mine was non muscle invasive. Through that though, they found out that my right kidney was only working 3% and I have since then had that right kidney and right ureter removed. I am so happy I did it! I have more energy and I feel better now; the diseased organ is out of me. During that surgery, they found another bladder cancer tumor which they did not expect. A four hour surgery turned into a 7 1/2 hour surgery. My body needed to be tipped from one side to the other to move organs to get to what they needed to. I have no regrets. I'm just telling you my experience and I will not tell you what to do. It's a lot to deal with and I'm glad you're already feeling better and have quit smoking! That is huge. That's the first thing they thought is that I got it from smoking but my symptoms started 15 years ago and the urologist just dismissed it so that cancer had a very long time to grow in me as I was feeling worse and worse. The problem is that there's no nerves to cause any alarm or sense of urgency but it is working in the background if it's there. I was surprised to have learned that.
I'm glad you're reaching out please don't stop. You'll know what to do when it's time. I totally believe in Chiropractic and naturopath and medical doctors I also go to sound baths and get massages and have crystals and Reiki so I explore all avenues and throughout all of those, I've learned to make my decisions. It's a Whole lifestyle. You'll know what to do just keep reading and exploring. Good luck with everything and keep us posted! We're all rooting for you, believe it or not. I like the genuineness of this venue because I find social media very harsh and uninformed. The people on here have learned a lot -more than they've ever wanted to know, just like you.

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