Stomach Issues

My husband's G3 [it is standard to call this aggressive] PTa bladder cancer never caused him any pain despite his bladder being full of papillomas too many to count and CIS. It was getting up too often at night that made him go to the GP.

He was offered RC [radical cystectomy, bladder removal] after having TURBT, 6 BCG and an immediate recurrence. But they also offered him more BCG or Mitomycin as equal choices. He went for the Mitomycin and has been clear for over 4 years now. But everyone is different.

Best wishes, 

Denby

Hi Polar,I wonder whether some of the pain might be due to having Squamous cell cancer ? I remember I did have some abdominal pain before the cystectomy where the bulky tumour must have been pressing against the bowel.I suffered a lot with constipation and my bowel stopped working post op.I did have to have a nasal gastric tube but this helped greatly.I know my partner who has diverticular disease as well as ulcerative colitis is not always sure what is flaring up and causing pain.I hope you can discuss your abdominal issues thoroughly with the nurses/medics.Unfortunately bowel complications are fairly common after cystectomy.You have my sympathy,I am currently having so many problems with my stomach/bowel.I suspect mine are due to excess histamine production but I need to find a sympathetic dr who will test for it.Do you think you will go for neo bladder if suitable ? Best wishes Jane

Thanks Denby. I think that the cystectomy in my case is being recommended because of the type of cancer cells that they have found but it's interesting that other treatments worked for your husband. Think I need to have a really good chat with the nurses on Thursday. There is so much to consider with all of this! 

Thanks Jane. I've been thinking of going for the urostomy but will take the opportunity that I'm being offered to talk to the various specialist nurses to really think through all of this. Certainly some major decisions needed.

The complications with bowel issues because of my diverticular has been one of the things concerning me. I'll definitely bring this up on Thursday as well. The nasal gastric tube I'd read about and mentioned to the consultant. How easy is that to cope with (actually inserting that?). 

Sorry to hear about your current issues and hope you can get a doctor to do the test you test so they can sort this out for you 

Mike

Hi Mike,The nasal gastric tube swallowing wasn’t too bad.I’ve had a couple of endoscopies and they were worse.I was able to walk up and down the ward with the tube in and attend to the stoma.I hope you don’t have any complications that require one.Best wishes for Thursday.Jane