Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Hi to all brave warriors here,

My name is Josephine Bommarito and my very close brother 75 named Philip was diagnosed with Locally Advanced Bladder Cancer Stage 3 with travel to Lymph nodes in November 2024. He is not a healthy person, high blood pressure, heart rate, high glucose, blocked right kidney and now Bladder Cancer. He also has confusion, can’t think correctly. We don’t know if it is caused by the kidney function or Dementia. He is supposed to start chemo tomorrow, (Cisplatin & Gemzar) 2 weeks on 1 week off. 6 hours a session. However, he is not ready and not committed. He also had a bad fall at work in September, blow to the back of his head. My question here is did you all have a port, IV or picc line to receive treatment?

Hi. My name is Steve. I was diagnosed with high-grade papillary urothelial cell carcinoma back in September this year. I’ve had two TURBT resections since then. The first one I also received Gemcitabine. I’m getting ready to start a clinical trial the end of this month. I’ll either be receiving BCG immunotherapy or Gemcitibine/Docetraxel chemotherapy. I’m still trying to process everything. I’m anxious to get things started but a bit overwhelmed with what’s ahead. I’m hoping to find answers to questions and support on the site. Thanks!

3 more tumors need to be removed. Waiting on appt for 2nd turbt surgery.
Hopefully treatments will start shortly after.🤞

Hi Phyllis, I'm unsure as to what they might suspect. It's hard to say. For me, that's what happened to me. Blood in urine. PCP ruled out a UTI, and I was sent to a urologist. It took quite some between the time the blood in my urine showed up, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for an appointment with the urologist ( about a 4 to 6 week wait for new patient), actually seeing the Urologist and then surgery (cancer removal, then resection).
I have never tried any of the home remedies you mentioned. I personally relied on my Faith. That was all I had, as I had no real answers for what seemed like forever.
Best to you 😊

Hi Deb
Went to sloan today had cystoscopy
My husband said the dr said he saw things and he needs to come back for a procedure. No explanation of what procedure is.
Waiting for appt.
No treatment yet again. I am at my wits end. This is @ sloan K in jersey.
I am getting frustrated. All they keep doing is finding cancer and taking it out but no treatments
I dont know where to turn. .

Hi: My name is Phyllis and I just have a few questions.
I had a UTI about a month ago and the dr. sent me to get my urine checked. Unfortionately they forgot to call me with the results until last week. They said there was blood in my urine and The dr. referred me to a urologist. My question is: Does that mean that they suspect bladder cancer?
I do have symptoms of bladder cancer but they could not get me an appointment until January 16th 2025. I have read a lot about this and I decided to at least do an alternative treatment until I can see the doctor.
I'm doing the lemon juice and baking soda with 8 oz. water and also rubbing frankensence oil on my tummy. At least I don't think these alternatives should hurt since I have to wait so long to get to see the doctor. Has anybody that you know done one of these alternative treatments and it helped?

@bostonbruins, getting a cancer diagnosis is such a shock. Thank goodness it was found incidentally. Do you have more details about your bladder cancer type and stage? Has a treatment plan been discussed yet?

Hi from Canada. I was just told I have bladder cancer. I'm 63 and was shocked too. I don't smoke and very reality drink. Shock to me and my family. My road begins to make it disappeared and live my life longer.

Hi all I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I'm 63 and notice my groin had been bothering me but before that I made a appt to have them do a check on my prostate. Told I have cancer. Now to begin my travel with cancer

@backroadsbarbie, you and your husband have a tough row to hoe! I'm sure bladder caner wasn't in your plans and I can understand the overwhelming emotions of anger, grief and resentment. It's NOT fair.

Have you thought of reaching out to an oncology social worker? Here's more information:
– How an Oncology Social Worker Can Help https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/how-an-oncology-social-worker-can-help/

You don't have to deal with this on your own. You're an RN and you support sick people and you're used to being in control. But now it's your turn to get support. Talking to someone can help reframe hope and discover the things you can take charge of.

I bet your husband is grieving too. He still wants to be your big strong husband, your protector and provider. Have you said some of those things out loud together?