I've had 2 and am going for my third transection via the urethra. Not as bad as the cystoscopy because they put you under for the procedure but no after pains so far. I had a foley catheter for the first one and that was a pain. It leaked around the outside (not a good seal on the inside). Had it adjusted and popped out on it's own. Didn't bother getting it reinstalled. I didn't realize that polyps grew in the bladder. Look like small leafy plants. Got a garden this time. Might need the rototiller.
I’m there too. Third resection in 3 weeks. BCG did not work. Catheter worked well. I have garden too but mine are cancer, not polyps. Good luck for your future steps. You’re not alone.
@looking4elk my husband got tired of repeated procedures TURBTS for his aggressive bladder cancer that kept coming back after the removal. He had initial success with cisplatin/gemcitabine but then BCG was a failure. After a few years of this he chose to have a radical cystectomy/prostatectomy and neobladder creation. He did not want an ostomy and dealing with a bag. He has been clear of cancer since then but had many complications after the surgery. He must use a catheter to empty urine 3-4 times a day. He is happy with his decision. Ask your medical team what is their best option for saving your bladder and still clearing the cancer. Bladder cancer likes to return and every person's cancer is a little different. Bladder removal is a huge step and lots of variables for your particular cancer can help you make a decision.
@looking4elk My husband had MIBC and went with getting Cisplatin/Gemcitabine chemo treatments before he had the radical Cystectomy. The Chemo was not bad. It’s not like years ago when a patient vomited and lost hair. The doctor gave him pills for nausea . He never vomited or lost his hair. He had a port put in his upper chest…near his collar bone. That was the best. I would put a cream on the spot an hour before the intravenous …lidocaine…and he wouldn’t feel anything. He drank 2 liters of water everyday. He also went part time to his desk job. This was in January 2025 until April 2025…the Chemo. In June, He had a Radical Cystectomy….prostate…lymph nodes…etc…bladder. He was under about 6 or 7 hours and chose the stoma with the pouch attached. When he woke up…he was very happy that it was all over! No lymph nodes were infected, thank God. He recovered quicker than I thought. After a couple of weeks….he was walking faster than me. They will have you walk around the hospital the next day after surgery. I took him home after 7 days…he wanted to stay as long as possible even though he was doing well. He made it up the stairs to the bedroom ….when he got home and I gave him soup. Also, 2 liters of water a day. Everyday he got up and we went out for a walk. He went back to work in September, Praise the Lord! He never had any infections or problems with the stoma or attaching the pouch-bag to it.
I would encourage you to go for the radical Cystectomy….only because …bladder cancer is relentless and always comes back. My husband is 65 now and doing everything he did before the surgery.
Every 3 months he got an MRI and contrast ….Now he gets it every 6 months.
Please contact me if you have any questions and want to talk. Keep Praying that God Keeps His Healing Hands on You and Heals you inside and out. I will pray for you.
God bless you and heal you of this cancer.
Rosina
1: Urostomy: most common: external pouch. Connects intestinal tissue to ureters ending in stoma. No training. Unrestricted sleep.
2: Neobladder: artificial bladder made from intestinal tissue. Lots of pelvic training and sometimes manual drainage. Limited sleep: wake up half way.
3: Indiana pouch: neobladder with manual extraction requirement. Very rare nowadays.
@looking4elk My husband had MIBC and went with getting Cisplatin/Gemcitabine chemo treatments before he had the radical Cystectomy. The Chemo was not bad. It’s not like years ago when a patient vomited and lost hair. The doctor gave him pills for nausea . He never vomited or lost his hair. He had a port put in his upper chest…near his collar bone. That was the best. I would put a cream on the spot an hour before the intravenous …lidocaine…and he wouldn’t feel anything. He drank 2 liters of water everyday. He also went part time to his desk job. This was in January 2025 until April 2025…the Chemo. In June, He had a Radical Cystectomy….prostate…lymph nodes…etc…bladder. He was under about 6 or 7 hours and chose the stoma with the pouch attached. When he woke up…he was very happy that it was all over! No lymph nodes were infected, thank God. He recovered quicker than I thought. After a couple of weeks….he was walking faster than me. They will have you walk around the hospital the next day after surgery. I took him home after 7 days…he wanted to stay as long as possible even though he was doing well. He made it up the stairs to the bedroom ….when he got home and I gave him soup. Also, 2 liters of water a day. Everyday he got up and we went out for a walk. He went back to work in September, Praise the Lord! He never had any infections or problems with the stoma or attaching the pouch-bag to it.
I would encourage you to go for the radical Cystectomy….only because …bladder cancer is relentless and always comes back. My husband is 65 now and doing everything he did before the surgery.
Every 3 months he got an MRI and contrast ….Now he gets it every 6 months.
Please contact me if you have any questions and want to talk. Keep Praying that God Keeps His Healing Hands on You and Heals you inside and out. I will pray for you.
God bless you and heal you of this cancer.
Rosina
Was on here for another problem in different forum but took a look here.
Father years ago had BCG and it worked first time....no return but careful monitoring. Superficial cancer
Sister age 60 with invasive Bladder Cancer had initial consult and removal with bag recommended. WE asked for second opinion from the department chair who does many neobladders and he felt she was great candidate for the neo and that is what she chose. It has worked out great. A few minor complications post surgery first year but it was the right choice for her. The reason I post this is to not be afraid ask questions and consider neobladder depsite all the warnings. Not all doctors do this surgery. Don't hesitate to ask for second opinion even in the same department. Mayo has experts.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
I have been given 3 options for bladder cancer removal what are people opinion
I've had 2 and am going for my third transection via the urethra. Not as bad as the cystoscopy because they put you under for the procedure but no after pains so far. I had a foley catheter for the first one and that was a pain. It leaked around the outside (not a good seal on the inside). Had it adjusted and popped out on it's own. Didn't bother getting it reinstalled. I didn't realize that polyps grew in the bladder. Look like small leafy plants. Got a garden this time. Might need the rototiller.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI’m there too. Third resection in 3 weeks. BCG did not work. Catheter worked well. I have garden too but mine are cancer, not polyps. Good luck for your future steps. You’re not alone.
@looking4elk my husband got tired of repeated procedures TURBTS for his aggressive bladder cancer that kept coming back after the removal. He had initial success with cisplatin/gemcitabine but then BCG was a failure. After a few years of this he chose to have a radical cystectomy/prostatectomy and neobladder creation. He did not want an ostomy and dealing with a bag. He has been clear of cancer since then but had many complications after the surgery. He must use a catheter to empty urine 3-4 times a day. He is happy with his decision. Ask your medical team what is their best option for saving your bladder and still clearing the cancer. Bladder cancer likes to return and every person's cancer is a little different. Bladder removal is a huge step and lots of variables for your particular cancer can help you make a decision.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@looking4elk My husband had MIBC and went with getting Cisplatin/Gemcitabine chemo treatments before he had the radical Cystectomy. The Chemo was not bad. It’s not like years ago when a patient vomited and lost hair. The doctor gave him pills for nausea . He never vomited or lost his hair. He had a port put in his upper chest…near his collar bone. That was the best. I would put a cream on the spot an hour before the intravenous …lidocaine…and he wouldn’t feel anything. He drank 2 liters of water everyday. He also went part time to his desk job. This was in January 2025 until April 2025…the Chemo. In June, He had a Radical Cystectomy….prostate…lymph nodes…etc…bladder. He was under about 6 or 7 hours and chose the stoma with the pouch attached. When he woke up…he was very happy that it was all over! No lymph nodes were infected, thank God. He recovered quicker than I thought. After a couple of weeks….he was walking faster than me. They will have you walk around the hospital the next day after surgery. I took him home after 7 days…he wanted to stay as long as possible even though he was doing well. He made it up the stairs to the bedroom ….when he got home and I gave him soup. Also, 2 liters of water a day. Everyday he got up and we went out for a walk. He went back to work in September, Praise the Lord! He never had any infections or problems with the stoma or attaching the pouch-bag to it.
I would encourage you to go for the radical Cystectomy….only because …bladder cancer is relentless and always comes back. My husband is 65 now and doing everything he did before the surgery.
Every 3 months he got an MRI and contrast ….Now he gets it every 6 months.
Please contact me if you have any questions and want to talk. Keep Praying that God Keeps His Healing Hands on You and Heals you inside and out. I will pray for you.
God bless you and heal you of this cancer.
Rosina
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
7 Reactions1: Urostomy: most common: external pouch. Connects intestinal tissue to ureters ending in stoma. No training. Unrestricted sleep.
2: Neobladder: artificial bladder made from intestinal tissue. Lots of pelvic training and sometimes manual drainage. Limited sleep: wake up half way.
3: Indiana pouch: neobladder with manual extraction requirement. Very rare nowadays.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsLooks like a major quality of life issue.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionTy for your advice that's sounds alike where I am at still debating on what to do i am not sure i want to remove bladder
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsWas on here for another problem in different forum but took a look here.
Father years ago had BCG and it worked first time....no return but careful monitoring. Superficial cancer
Sister age 60 with invasive Bladder Cancer had initial consult and removal with bag recommended. WE asked for second opinion from the department chair who does many neobladders and he felt she was great candidate for the neo and that is what she chose. It has worked out great. A few minor complications post surgery first year but it was the right choice for her. The reason I post this is to not be afraid ask questions and consider neobladder depsite all the warnings. Not all doctors do this surgery. Don't hesitate to ask for second opinion even in the same department. Mayo has experts.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@looking4elk, what were the 3 options recommended for you? Did you decide which approach you prefer?