Bladder Cancer: High grade

I had my bladder and prostate removed 22 years ago. I progressed well after surgery and was even released from the hospital 3 days early. After chemo the pouch simply became second nature. Just be sure to follow up on your exams for ever! I hope you have an easy experience if that’s what you elect to do. Treatments now are so much easier, with immunotherapy also becoming more prevalent. Best of luck to you.

Hi, my father received this surgery back in 2009. He has lived a wonderful normal active life.

Curious to know if he has had with this surgery any diarrhea, Vitamin B 12 deficiency, or liver and kidney function issues? Also can your father participate in all outside activities that he wants to do? Thanks

His kidney function did decline but not until recently. And he also had a benign tumor on his kidney which needed to be removed prior to the neo bladder surgery. So his full kidney function was not working back then. He also just recently has went thru 9 rounds of chemo therapy which back when he received his new bladder they didn't do chemo with it. Now they most of the time so. And yes he could participate in everything no restrictions.

@Barneythe2nd. Hope this helps: our friend has a "rebuilt" bladder as a result of bladder cancer. He used to say that he'd never live to see his daughter graduate from high school. I'm happy to report that he did see her graduate from high school. And college. And law school. And married. And have three children. He frequently drives 13 hours to visit his grandchildren. His only concession: he now takes two days to drive instead of one, but then again, he's 70 and has a heart condition.

Hi: I am new to this group, just found it and registered. I too have been diagnosed with bladder cancer that invaded the muscle tissue. It was a long road but on Nov 11, 2021 I met with a urologist who went into my bladder and scraped it out. Then I met with a surgeon and had my bladder & prostate removed on April 11. Thank God there were no complications. 6 days in the hospital and I was home. Not 1 pain. Took some time to get my head on straight but with the help of a psychiatrist who prescribed some medication, I am ok now. Good luck in the future.

I haven't participated in any groups before this. I did what had to be done and I'm fine. It was a long road but I made it one step at a time. I had 2 great doctors at the University of Pennsylvania. Never had a pain. I can do anything that I want. Was cautious in the beginning because it was all new for me, but I became more confident every day. Check ups have been good. Good luck to all in this situation.

Hi @rogerferr, welcome. You mention that you also had your prostate removed. Was prostate cancer also discovered?

I'm glad to hear that there were no complications physically speaking. But it sounds like adjusting to the new normal had its challenges. What did helps you find balance in life now?