Waiting

Hello Huey

Welcome to our group, the special club no-one wants to join. Firstly, let me assure you that bladder cancer can be treated effectively as I and many others will tell you.

It sounds like your man had a TURBT - trans urethal bladder resection - where the suspicious tissue is scraped off the wall of his bladder and sent for analysis. He'll be a bit sore for a couple of weeks, needs to rest up and must drink plenty of water to flush his bladder. After a couple of weeks, expect to see brown bits in his urine as the scabs come away from the wound in his bladder. There is also a risk of an infection so be prepared to see your GP with a urine sample and make a request for antibiotics.

The tissue sample will be tested for grade and stage. There's no getting away from the fact that most bladder tumours are cancerous but, as I said, can be treated successfully. Once you know the grade and stage, you will be offered a treatment plan. At that point, we'll be able to advise you about these options.

It's a very worrying time while you await the results but that will change once you know what you are dealing with. I recommend that you avoid Dr Google who will likely mislead you or scare you witless. In the meantime, ask us anything you like, come here to let off steam or have a grumble and focus on the things you enjoy doing.

CB

I would also add that this frustrating wait is par for the course. The tissue goes to the lab, takes maybe a week or so to get results which are then discussed at a Multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT). These are often only held weekly & the various specialists will agree the recommended course of action. Then you should be given an appointment with the consultant to receive the results and discuss treatment options. Your GP may not even get the results until after this appt.

We're all familiar with this worrying wait & the anxiety to get treatment urgently. The important aspect is that they have detected the issue & are addressing it. They will act with appropriate haste - often not as fast we feel is needed. Best wishes.

Hi Huey

I think this waiting is one of the worst aspects of this journey and I know how you feel

I had my TURBT in November, saw the surgeon  on 16 December. She said that the MDT were meeting the next day which was as useful to me as a chocolate teacup on a gas ring.  She could not tell me much because of this

Went home to wait and wait.  Xmas came and went .  At first I gave them the doubt because of the Xmas holiday.  After much chasing I was seen on 24 January.   My Consultant was so apologetic  and has now put me on fast track.  I have my RC on Monday 2 March 

It is so frustrating to wait because there is enough tension without that.

I do hope that this wretched wait ends soon

Inanna xx

Thank you both  so much for replying. Yes the waiting is the worst. It's frightening to think if he hadn't had looked into the getting the prostate treatment ( the gp had never heard of the steam treatment he had to print of the details to give him for referral. Which was done NHS not private ) this may not have been found until to late. So we must be positive. Can anyone say on average how long it usually takes until he has a definite answer. Are we looking a month or so? 

Expect to wait 3 to 4 weeks then you'll get an appointment to hear the results and what happens next. To speed it up, you might speak to the urology consultants secretary and ask for a cancellation appointment. I found that building a good relationship with the secretarial staff worked wonders. So does chocolate.

CB

Thanks Inanna hope all goes well for you on the 2nd. So reading your journey's he has a bit of a wait until he finds out. Think he will have to go to our local hospital which is Basildon (not a big fan) as Hampshire is to far to travel. 

Thank you Huey.  I am just down the road to you and am being treated at Southend my local hospital 

Please let us all know how it goes

Inanna xx

Hi Inanna oh you are. we are going to stay at my daughters for the weekend she lives in Thorpe Bay  it's a lovely area. Taking our Labrador for plenty of walks down the seafront. As soon as he hears anything I will let you know.

Thanks again so much for the support it's nice to be able to talk about it. 

Xx

Thorpe Bay is lovely.  I live on the Seafront and in the Summer I walk the pier and want to do so this Summer.  Lots of lovely walks here and 2 parks to boot

Have a lovely weekend

Inanna xx

Please, pop down to Old Leigh Village have a paddle, and eat a saucer of cockles for me! Sister in law still lives near Hadleigh.

Regards, Denby (Former Essex Girl)