What were your symptoms of Bladder cancer? Scared I have it.

The ultra sound techs told me my bladder looks very normal in Jan. I haven’t had gross hematuria except for a very tiny blood clot or two. I have no bacteria but will ask for a cytology. I’m 22.

I’m sorry you got diagnosed but I’m pleased to see you’re doing well. Did your doctor happen to mention the most common stage of bladder cancer when it’s found and how long it takes them to grow depending?

I am just being discharged from the St Mary’s Mayo hospital in Rochester.
I have undergone a radical cystectomy. They’ve taken my entire bladder, ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic lymphatic system and part of my intestine to form a new bladder – neo bladder. I consider myself very lucky. I did not have to undergo chemo, they did not take a portion of my vaginal wall, they did not take my uterus.
I am a 68-year-old woman. Two years ago in March just as Covid was starting, I had what felt like a urinary tract infection: frequency, urgency, painful urination and most importantly blood in my urine. It took me a while to get care because of the Covid situation. I did have a CT and a cystoscopy. They SAW nothing at the time. Two years later again in March, I presented with the same symptoms. This time I was told I had bladder cancer. I underwent two TUR-Bts ; The second one determining it was into the bladder muscle wall and the treatment for that was a radical cystectomy.

I am a retired registered nurse. I know the system. I tried to use the system in my home town, but couldn’t find the treatment in a timely manner that I needed. So I called the phone number that Mayo presents on their website.
Within three days I had tests set up, My current history, labs, and procedures scooped into Mayo’s system and an appointment with the Urologist at the end of three days testing. I was scheduled and had the cystectomy on Sept 28 and am going home today 😊
I have never seen such efficiency in a medical facility. And such skill and compassion of all the medical personnel.
My advice to you if the CT and cystoscope come back negative, ask if they can do cytology to be sure there’s nothing there that can not be SEEN. The treatment varies for the depth of the tumor. So much easier to have had just installations instead of the whole reconstruction!
I LOVE THE MAYO CLINIC !!!!

I was just diagnosed with bladder cancer after a year of thinking I had interstitial cystitis. Never bacteria in the urine culture but started seeing blood in urine. I had a CT, then a cysto to confirm then just had a TURBT to remove the tumors. Waiting for a final path report. Lots of options out there for treatment. Get seen and get treated. It will be okay. You’ll get through it.

I suffered pelvic pain around two years ago. I went to my doctor with complaints about it, & read their note later which spoke about upper abdominal pain (note: not seen at Mayo Clinic). So I felt like a goner too, how could there be such disconnect(?). Even though I was actively experiencing pelvic pain while a pelvic ultrasound was being performed the radiologist was unable to pinpoint the source. I am still kicking! The pain eventually went away.

I wondered if you have had a recent urine culture and sensitivity lab test? My father suffered interstitial cystitis and he told me you need a culture and sensitivity to detect it. The black sediment you mentioned makes me think that a urine strainer (Urology staff might provide) may be helpful to check for small stones.

I passed what is called frank blood when was much younger. I went to a highly rated Urologist (It took four surgeons to take over his practice when he retired, which he soon came out of and taught for years!). His findings were negative and nothing sinister ever materialized. I remember this doctor, in answer to my question about taking supplements like vitamins telling me "You can take what you want just take lots of water with them." So that is my advice to you is drink lots of water while you await your test.

Realized I had neglected to include that I had smoked for 50 years before the bladder cancer diagnosis … and quit the night before the surgery, My treatment was a very early immunotherapy… BCG/ interferon A….for 16 months. Dry effective…….hjtk

That is great. You have to be your own advocate. I’m sure you were good at follow up over the years, which is so important too. Stay well and I’m happy for you too.

At age 64, with no previous history of bladder irregularities, I discovered bright red in the toilet bowl. Called my University Urology Dept, followed up with a quick app’t, a week later had surgery to remove a I” bladder tumor. Had monthly, then 3, 6, 12 month follow- up checks. Since then, I’ve turned 85, survived a breast cancer surgery/ mastectomy, and am feeling FINE!!……..hjtk