An update after my TURBT

I am now about a week after my first TURBT and one week before my results.

I feel optimistic. I had a lot of difficulties passing urine after the op (took me more than 3 hours. I drank 3 litres of water and my belly was bursting, but nothing …). Then I was discharged from hospital as all seemed to start going … at home the first night I woke up 11 times and it was excruciating every single time. So I called my excellent consultant and he decided I needed antibiotics (UTI). Today is my last antibiotics day. The pain has become what I always thought had to be the "normal" sensation after this operation: just some "discomfort" passing urine.

I feel OK. I had bad days, where every single ache and pain triggered the inevitable "Whoa! What was that? Is that some other tumor? Was it not removed completely? Has it invaded the muscles?".

But I am determined to be optimistic. The consultant said that he would bet it was all removed. Unfortunately he found two tumors, the one that was spotted during the cystoscopy (part solid, part "papillary") and also one "hiding" in a diverticulum, but "I was able to resect the neck of this and then removed all the tumor and cauterised the base. The tumor resection was visibly complete. [] Overall the procedure went very well."

My results appointment is the 21st of July. The consultant said there was certainly no spread, so I think my options are between having to do nothing (a part from regular check-ups) if I am really lucky to having to do chemo and radio at various degrees depending on my "lucky numbers" (grade and stage).

But it is true what people say on this forum: after the op all is better. You know it is out. You know a little more about your status. Yes, you have to wait for the results, but you are allowed to start hoping again and that's what we should all do! Now, as soon as the dark thoughts come back to my mind I repeat to myself (I shout to myself) the positive words that the consultant told me. "Not spread far, visibly complete, op went very well". For now it seems to work well. I try concentrating on the positive sides: we are in extremely good hands. This is a curable tumor which, I read, "normally" does not spread (unless caught really late). Yes, it can reoccur, it can be worrisome, but our doctors and nurses are the best anyone can hope to have.

I have a good friend who had breast cancer. She went through pretty tough times. Very heavy Chemo. Was admitted to hospital 4 times in a year for infection (heavy chemo lowers the immune system) and a couple of times we thought we were going to lose her. She is now 2 years after her ordeal and she cycles 50 miles in a day, she has 3 dogs, lives alone, does all herself. She is as strong as she's ever been. And she told me "Marco, you just trust your doctors and do as you are told". She is right.

Good day everyone!

Marco