Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Welcome to the Bladder Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with bladder cancer or caring for someone with bladder cancer. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

Feel free to browse the topics, use the group search to find answers to your questions or start a new discussion.

Pull up a chair. Let’s start with introductions.

What type of bladder cancer were you diagnosed with? What treatments have you had? How are you doing?

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

Good thoughts going g your way.

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Dear gsali,
Thankyou for your response. Guess I’ll have some more answers this week from urologist & Neuroendocrine oncologist. Good luck with the cystectomy & ideal conduit. You sound very positive and that will make all the difference. Let me know how you go.

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I was diagnosed with T1 non muscle invasive bladder cancer. I went through BCG unsuccessfully. Then my Dr. tired CG, also unsuccessful. I couldn't hold either of the treatments in for the recommended time. I am scheduled for a cystectomy & hysterectomy on September 3rd at Mayo with Dr. Lyon. I have opted for the ileal conduit and in preparation, I have been doing lots of research. It's amazing how many great websites there are.

I feel fine and am looking forward to my surgery. Keeping Collin Jarvis's 3 "P's" front & center, " Patience - Perspective - Perseverance"

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Hi there,
My name is Janine from Australia. I was initially diagnosed with high grade urothelial (TCC) cancer in 2021. Limited to lamina propria & no Mets on CT. Treatment was TURBT & epirubicin instillation. Clear till Feb 2024 then diagnosed with SCC bladder limited to lamina propria again & no Mets on PET/CT. Treated with 4 cycles of Cisplatinum /epotoside protocol & then 4 weeks of One day Cisplatinum & 5 days external beam radiotherapy to bladder & full pelvis for 4weeks. . Clear again till now, latest PET/CT clear but now have cancer in situ (urothelial high grade) again. Which I was always aware would return. Waiting to see specialist NET oncologist & hear back from urologist. My ‘oncologist’ is vague re next step is and passes it on to urologist. Then I have to let oncologist know??? I pay $$$ for private care.
I was all prepared for cystectomy in 2024. I have read outcomes / overall survival for bladder sparing V cystectomy are about the same. But I think if I have two high grade bladder cancers & supposedly they haven’t spread pass the lamina propria the Cystectomy is a no brainer. I haven’t been given the choice. Would appreciate any advice & support re SCC.

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still in the healing process on xarelto seems this may be slowing things down

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I was the pioneer for bladder cancer in women!!! I was a man's disease! Rampant in returning soldiers that took a specific drug for pain! Diagnosed in 1977 by a lucky visit to a Doctor at Swedish in Seattle!! I actually said I have bladder cancer ( blood in urine!) don't I? He offered my a study which was BCG ( tuberculin vaccine). By the was I am a Pharmacist!. I was injected with it and skin scratched once a week for about 6 weeks. Your T cells kick in and fight i! I was cured!!!!!!! I did research and found I was taking lots of drug soldiers took. related to Excedrin. It contained a drug Phenacetin. It broke down to acetaminophen and a cancer causing drug!! I was responsible for a formula change! They knew!! Hired attorney and sued 2 drug companies. Now safe to take!!

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Profile picture for dianeh330 @dianeh330

Thank you for the welcome. I'm Diane , 69, I was diagnosed at 62 with bladder cancer. It was by accident it was found. No symptoms at all had a cystocopy. And found cancer. Removed aggressive cancer had the 6 injection of the BCG and just had another cystocopy done last Friday and I'm still cancer free I thank God every day.

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@dianeh330 God bless you, Diane. Praise God for all His blessings!

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Thank you for the welcome. I'm Diane , 69, I was diagnosed at 62 with bladder cancer. It was by accident it was found. No symptoms at all had a cystocopy. And found cancer. Removed aggressive cancer had the 6 injection of the BCG and just had another cystocopy done last Friday and I'm still cancer free I thank God every day.

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Profile picture for marklilly @marklilly

My name is Mark and I have stage 2 MIBC. Going through chemotherapy/immunotherapy now and scheduled for RC at Mayo Clinic in August. I am 72 and otherwise in good health.

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@marklilly Hello, my husband was also stage 2 MIBC. This winter, he did 4 rounds of Gemcitabine/Cisplatin. On May 29th he had a radical cystectomy and is doing well. It’s a plus that you’re in good health! You get back on your feet sooner. You are in my prayers 🙏God bless, Rose

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