Upcoming TURPT

Hi and welcome Deloo. Samples of the tumour [likely will all be removed] will go to the lab for analysis of the type of cancer cells. Then there will be an MDT [=Multi-Disciplinary Team] meeting. These are once a week in most places and will include surgeon, oncologist and others. They will discuss all the findings and decide a plan of treatment options accordingly. Then you will have some sort of appointment to have these explained.

Soreness varies, just remember you will have essentially an open wound that you cannot see. [and so may pass scabs after a few days, not serious unless you then bleed much, if in doubt call them] So take it easy, drink plenty to keep all flushed through. Many find Robinson's Lemon Barley helpful for this, it's easier to drink plenty with the taste and helps ward off possible infections after all the messing about your bladder will have endured. 

Follow ups could include offer of BCG immunotherapy or Mitomycin chemotherapy. Procedure is similar with both, it is put into ['instilled']  your bladder via a catheter [tube] and you are supposed to hold it for a given time before you pee it out. You'll be advised of the exact procedure.

Hope this is some help. 

Denby

Hi Deloo and a welcome from me too. Just to add to Denby's info above, The op is usually done in day surgery, but prepare for an overnight stay. Stings a bit for a few days when peeing. Then a bit of a wait for biopsy results. Lots of experience here, so feel free to ask anything you like, no matter how trivial it may seem. Best wishes.

Wow. Couple of fantastic replies there. Thanks so much.

I do have another question. Is there support for spouses at all ?

My wife is one of the most courageous people i know. However, since my diagnosis, while she has been brave I can tell she is finding this hard going. 

Thanks again for great answers. And i'll go get some Robinsons lemon barley.

Hi Deloo,To add to the other advice I used to find a hot water bottle helpful after a TURBT,or perhaps a wheat bag ? Best wishes Jane

Thank you Denby, Rily and winkers. Some handy advice/help there.

I've got Robinsons lemon barley water. I'll drink that from now as well as the extra water i've been drinking. The last time i went in for TURPT (2weeks ago) they cancelled as i had a small infection in urine sample. I don't want to be cancelled again.

It's a beaut day here on the south coast. I might get out on my motorbike.

Thanks again.

Hi Deloo, actually i AM the wife, it's my husband who has bc. But he doesn't 'do' online forums. There is also a MacMillan carers' one though personally I've never looked at it. Glad to help.

Another anti-bug thing is cranberry tablets. [Prob better than juice as juice is often sweetened which is either sugar that feeds bugs you are trying to deter, or um, chemical, sweeteners. and bad for teeth as so acid.]

Best wishes, 

Denby

Denby - Ah right. I have suggested to my wife that she take part on here. The support for people struggling is a help. Just people saying nice things can help prop you back up sometimes. I'll suggest it again and point to you if that's ok.

Cranberry tablets on the list now. Thanks so much.

Eating/drinking more targeted foods may not make much difference but they could equally make a slight difference and that may, or may not, be huge. And if i can go through this doing all i can then at least i'll know and my family will know i've given myself every chance.

I am vegan (5 years now) so i eat plenty of fruit and vegetables so my diet is generally very good.

Anymore suggestions regarding food or drink that may help most welcome.

Hi Deloo,We can offer support to your wife if she would like to join.Regarding food and drink I found onions,tomatoes,raisons and anything citrus aggravated my bladder when I had inflammation.I had over 30 years of chronic bladder disease before cancer and found cutting out these foods helped if I was in too much pain.I hope you get out on your bike,odd weather here in Somerset today.Best wishes Jane

My main thing is to have as much as you can afford of all food and drink be organic, strong preference to UK produced. [That's because nutrient  content will be higher than contract grown then airfreighted from overseas] Feel free to private message me re where we buy ours. My thinking is that the less toxic chemicals one's body is dealing with the better it can deal with the cancer and with whatever necessary meds. Most non-organic produce eg bread is laced with weed-killer quite legally.

There are other things which you should always check with your pharmacist. We both take 500mg of sustained release Vitamin C both with breakfast and evening meal. [As well as plenty of fruit and veg like you.] It's very hard to get enough Vitamin C from food as it is stored and transported losing Vit C content in a few days.

Best wishes and do say Hi to your wife, 

Denby