Radical Cystectomy - Yes or No?

Sorry to hear your news. I had a RC and opted for the stoma find it easier to deal with on a daily basis.

Now, it is not uncommon to have a bad reaction to chemo and to have interruptions to the cycles. I had two and they still went ahead after a break. Obviously, this was prior to surgery, but it's not uncommon as you are receiving curative doses. Hopefully the removal of the cancerous node has cleared the cancer, but follow up treatment is necessary.

If the chemo is not practical due to side effects, there are other treatments, but usually a break is often enough.  The important thing is your husband will not be left out to dry.

Thankyou. IanW he has been, in hospital as temperature was so low 34.5 . He's meant to be going ahead with ( what would of been 2nd round on 2nd ) but we have appointment with oncologist on Thursday xxx He has been through so much. I felt I'd just got him on the way to normal. Putting on weight etc. When after full day of chemotherapy,  by day 2 I felt he was fading before my eyes.  Xxx

Hopefully the meeting will sort things out and get your husband back on track. Chemo can be very debilitating and the effects vary from case to case. Just hang in there, fingers crossed. xx

Hi KimDav,I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s struggles with chemotherapy.I hope that things improve for him and that the oncology appt goes well.Love and best wishes to you both.Jane xx

Hi KimDav

I am sorry that your Dad is going through this and I hope that the meeting tomorrow goes well

Love Inanna x  

Yes we went this morning,  they are going ahead on 2nd March, but may give him a slightly lower dose xx

Hi

Yeah that sounds about par for the course

xx

Hi Pringle 35

Sorry for your news, my surgeon this visit explained I’m close to having a removal but I’ve explained I’d like to try everything before.

I’ve 6 more BCG treatments across the year and my oncologist nurse mentioned electrodes.

Im not sure what that involves other than she expressed it was painful and no guarantees but then I feel trying all options is better than not.

I hope you are given further options and stay positive.  My 3 operation back I had 2 x CIS plus others. The BCG hasn’t stopped mine returning it’s made them lower risk when they do return

I wish you much luck x

Hello again everyone. Your help so far has been excellent and very much appreciated. It has helped me move forward and understand why I need to have a cystectomy and I am now reconciled with this idea. 

I have almost decided on the neobladder option but I still have a few concerns. First I already have a troublesome bowel with loose movements and Diverticulosis. Is this something that needs to be considered? Also does the neobladder get more difficult to control as you get older, as does a normal bladder? 

Thanks in advance and any information would help.

I think the electrodes are to make the BCG penetrate better. No experience of that myself. Best wishes with that!