Hi All,
Where do i start?? We as a family have had a very difficult 6 months. At the age of 33 in October 18 i was referred for an ultrasound scan for suspected gallstones but instead was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer with metastises to the liver and my primary being on the tail end of pancreas. Very low grade, 2% ki67 and I am currently being treated with monthly injections with regular scans. Other treatments, and surgery, are in the pipeline if i show any sign of growth but currently stable and feeling very well in myself. Mum, to start off with found all of this very difficult, and it's only the past month or so it's all calmed down and we are getting on with the new "norm".
For the past 9 months Mum has had 5 UTI's, all confirmed with urine tests at the GP surgery and after the 3rd she was sent for an ultrasound to check her bladder/kidneys etc. Nothing suspicious was found. We are now on the 5th and this one hasn't cleared up with the antibiotics and her latest urine sample had blood in it. The GP has refered her to the specialist under the 2 week rule. We are both besides ourselves with worry that it could be cancer. Please could anyone offer any advice / reassurance. I am going to make sure i go with mum to the appointment, what tests etc should we be asking for? Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi and welcome to the group at this worrying time for you and your Mum. One thing that annoys people in our bladder world is the way some GPs continue with antibiotics without any referral, even after the recent blood in urine adverts. Anyway, Mum has now been referred. A good sign is nothing was found on the ultrasound. The test your Mum should have is a flexible cystoscopy. This is a camera in to the bladder under local anaesthetic. Slightly uncomfortable, but rarely painful. Mum will be able to see the monitor and any abnormalities will be pointed out. The next step will depend on what is found. Be aware that if it does turn out to be bladder cancer, then it can be treated and in most cases, successfully. Many of us are here to tell the tale. Please feel free to ask any questions. Best wishes.
Hi . You are right in thinking ultrasounds find it hard pick up anything in early stages. That's why the cystoscopy is needed. Blood in urine can be caused by many things, but the cause still needs to be investigated. Thanks for asking about me. I have so far been clear for five years, and currently quite fit and healthy ( touching wood 
). Best wishes.
