New Diagnosis

Hi ClogHogad205d and welcome to the group although sorry to hear about your mum. Good to know she is finally having treatment after being unwell for some time. A TURBT procedure is usually done in day surgery, but prepare for an overnight. An upper body scan is standard to check there is nothing else going on. Biopsies will be taken and there will then be a few weeks wait for results. These results determine the next step. I hope all goes well. Lots of experience here so feel free to ask anything. In the meantime it is important mum drinks plenty of water to flush any blood or clots out. Best wishes.

Hi Clog etc

Tell your mother this is all quite routine and well done for having it checked out. They do the same tests on everyone - that's how they can work out the most appropriate treatment for us. I am 73 too and can tell you both that many people our age and above have had this diagnosis and been successfully treated, including me. At the moment you don't know what treatment they will suggest. With some cancers you keep your bladder, with others they remove it. There are people here who have had both types. Once you know her way forward you can ask more questions and we can help.

I was diagnosed aged 69, had chemotherapy - not a walk in the park but didn't lose my hair, and then had my bladder removed. it's a big operation but they do lots of them these days. It can seem daunting but no need to be terrified. In fact I found it very interesting, educational even. I have a stoma now and everything is routine - perfectly doable once you know how and they teach you everything.

Also, I know how you feel too because my mother had the same thing but went to the GP too late 50 years ago. in fact I had to drive her there. When it was my turn, I grabbed every bit of treatment they offered me, knowing that if she'd had the chance she would have done the same.

Cancer is not the same as it used to be. When my mother had it people used to keep quiet about it, talk behind their hands, and generally think of it as something terrible. If course it's not something anybody wants to have but so many do these days.

So, my advice to your mother is to communicate with you and your father freely. Include you in decisions, appointments etc. Don't hide it, face it head on and get all the support they and you need Maggie's centres are good for patients especially and Macmillan has a very good website with lots of info you can download. Then there's this site and people here who have had the same treatments your mother is going to be offered.  My husband and daughter have been part of my team from day 1. We face thing together and I'm lucky in that I can be matter of fact and even laugh at things. That helps us all a lot.

And the best piece of advice? Live now, don't look further ahead than the next appointment, treatment etc. Worry never cured anything and can prevent today's enjoyment. This isn't the end of the world.

All the best,

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