My husband just diagnosed

Hi everyone.  

Hope you are all doing ok.  

Another question, if that’s ok? I’m not sure whether to still post here, or somewhere else now, but here goes ..

My husband had his CT scan today. Because he already had one before, they just did his chest today (as it wasn’t covered in the first one when they  looked at the urinary tract area). He had his MRI earlier in the week.  He is due to speak to the consultant on Friday. Hopefully he will have some results for then.

Q. How much will they be able to tell from the MRI (looking into his bladder) before the TURBT next week? 

thank you x

Bearing in mind that we are not medical experts - MRI is not done to look at the bladder, but other areas, to check for any abnormalities. That, combined with CT scan, will give extra information, so that when the TURBT path results are in, they have a full picture & can give the best opinion about diagnosis, treatment & prognosis. They also give a baseline record to compare with any future scans. Sometimes oddities show up which are unimportant & it's useful to have these logged in advance rather than detected at a later date. 

The consultant may not have much to say on Friday, depends if results are back by then. He/she may also prefer to wait until TURBT path report to advise appropriate next steps. After TURBT you will have to wait around 2 - 3 weeks for results. There is usually a Mult-Disciplinary Meeting (MDT) which will consider all the results & advise best course of action. I know it all seems a very slow process, but it is important for everyone concerned to be fully informed before making any decisions about treatment.

Thank you for responding Teasswell. I know I’m being impatient and looking for signs of knowing what we’re dealing with. We’ve done a week now, which seems in believable as couldn’t imagine how we would get to today 7 days ago, and can do a few more.   X

Hi, it's a good thing they are doing all these scans and don't read anything bad into it.

You are describing what happened to me last year. Bladder CT scan, then chest CT scan and I was worried they were doing the chest one because  they already knew something bad. 

They didn't, and it is just procedure to get all the information they needed before deciding upon my treatment plan.

Just try not to worry too much.

Chasam

Thank you, Chasam! X

Hi everyone.  Hope you’re all keeping well.

My husband has had CT and MRI scans this week.  

The hospital has just called and asked him to come in for PET scan tomorrow. We know that the consultants and the rest of the team, including radiographers etc get together on Thursday morning, so this morning.  Why would the hospital be asking for him to come on for another scan tomorrow?

we’re really worried .. 

Hello thesunalwaysshie

Please do not be alarmed. The more scans and tests he has the better in my opinion. I had several CT scans and a PET scan so the medical team (MDT) could see what was going on inside me from the different perspectives of the radiologist, oncologist, surgeon and other specialists prior to deciding on a course of treatment.

It is worrying because you think there must be something awry but the scans and tests are part of the process of elimination of other medical conditions. Once the NHS has you in its grip, you get tested for all sorts

As Teasswill said earlier, the initial scans act as a baseline for the future.

CB

Thank you, Crusty 

the consultant just called.  He saw an inflamed lymph node next to the bladder on the MRI scan hence the PET scan tomorrow. The tumour has gone into the muscle wall, but he doesn’t know by how much. 

So worried. Feel like we’re in free fall 

No cancer markers in the blood. 

Hope you get some answers soon  this is such a terrible time we are all living on edge .. take care and keep strong  I'm thinking about you  love Tina x