Newbie with a few questions

Hi Jimmyma2 and welcome to the group. Sorry to hear about your bladder cancer, but you have come to the right place. Lots of experience and help here. Many of us have been through it, and firstly let me tell you  bladder cancer can be treated successfully. We know the thoughts going through your head at the moment. Could you just tell us what have you had done so far, as I don't want to ramble on if you have already had some form of treatment. Best wishes.t

Hi rily

so far, I went to the GP with passing blood in my urine, from there I was given an ultra scan and blood tests. These came back as negative, but as I’m type 2 diabetic they used it as a chance to check my blood sugars.

from that the GP surgery referred me to the urologist who conducted a flexible cystoscopy where the tumour was found. The urologist has written to me and saying that the tumour was 2 1.5 cm and it had extreme hypervascularity . 

I’m having a CT scan today for, CT Thorax with contrast and CT Urinary tract with Contrast.

I was asking as I don’t know the grade the cancer is or how deep it has penetrated into the bladder wall, but I suspect that’s what today’s scans are about.

Good Morning Jimmyma2. That all sounds very familiar. It is how most of us start. Unlikely you will find anything out today from your scans, the images are sent off for analysis and results sent to your consultant. The usual next step is an operation called a TURBT (trans urethral resection of bladder tumour). Sounds worse than it is. The tumour is shaved away under general anaesthetic. Usually done in day surgery, but prepare for an overnight stay. Biopsies will be taken and sent off for analysis. It is only when the biopsies are analysed when cancer can be confirmed. The biopsy will determine a stage and grade. The stage (T) is how far advanced it is and the grade (G) is how aggressive. When all the results are in, this determines the next step. Lots of waiting for results unfortunately. and the waiting is something we have to live with. Hope I have not gone over the top with info. as said earlier, many of us have been through this and come out the other side. I'm sure others will be along with some support . Stay away from Google. Lots of out of date and misleading info out there. Hope all goes well with your scans. Best wishes.

Hi Jimmyma2,Welcome to the group.I hope your scan goes well today.Best wishes Jane

Riley, 

thanks that’s just the level of info I needed this morning. I knew if I asked on here I’d get the info I needed, thank you.

hi winkers60. Thanks Jane fingers crossed  

Good luck!

Hi...I had my Cystoscopy on 23rd March and the tumour was papillary and 2cm. While the 3 weeks wait for the TURBT seemed like forever it went quite quick as I was travelling to hospital a couple of times a week for other tests and prep for the procedure. My TURBT was on 16th April so its been 18 days now. The surgeon was very reassuring and while he couldn't say if the cancer has spread or give any indication of the grading he felt it was superficial. He showed me the tumour before it was sent for biopsy and he showed me photographs of the inside of my bladder post TURBT. Now I'm waiting for the biopsy results. 

Just remember to be kind to yourself. Cry when you need to, talk when you need to and even take yourself away for 5 minutes when you need to. I've had terrible stress hives since diagnosis and they nearly cancelled my procedure because of it so I've leaent the  hard way to be kind to myself and care for myself and listen to my body. Xx  

Well said Aprildaisies75, and what a lovely 'handle' you have chosen too if I may say so. Mine relates to the china we have had for decades. 

Best wishes, 

Denby

Hi Denby. Thanks.