My Dad Has Bladder Cancer

Hi SandyFlo, 
Sorry to hear your dad has been diagnosed with what sounds like muscle invading bladder cancer at 62.
Obviously you and him are extremely worried at this time, which I can understand as I was in his shoes last year aged 54.

I am a male and although you don’t know grading etc, I was Stage 2, grade 3 which is muscle invading, fast growing cancer.

I had my bladder removed (Radical Cystectomy) and had a Neo bladder instead of a stoma and bag, but that is not suitable for everyone.

For me though bladder removal was not the end of the world, and my Neo has been amazing and my life is as full as it ever was in every department.
Of course everyone is different both physically and mentally, but just letting you know that a mid 50’s man who is not a million miles from your dad’s age has had an amazing recovery.

happy to answer any questions you have.

cheers 
Chasam

Hello Chasam,

Thank you so so much for your reply and for sharing your experience with me. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have some stories from other peoples experiences that I can feed back to my dad and hopefully bring him some comfort. Do you mind me asking how active you are these days? Please forgive me if you find that rude! My dad is a keen walker and has always spent his days travelling all over the country with his trusty sidekick (our dog) in his van and camping all over the place, usually in the middle of nowhere! From your experience, do you think this could still be possible if all goes well? Thank you so much again for your time. xx

Hi sandyflo,
I have the day off today and am having a nice round of golf. Weather looking good too.
As I said, I’m 55 now (with dodgy knees from playing too much football over the years), but I still play 5-a-side Monday nights with my mates. That is getting harder but nothing to do with my bladder removal, all to do with just getting old!

COVID stopped me going to the gym, but we have a x-trainer and I use that (on and off.. too boring) and we like a nice walk along the canal near where we live.

I am doing exactly the same things I did before RC.

But, of course, I don’t know your dad, nor how he will recover.
And life would probably be a bit different with a stoma, but sounds like many people on here get on just as before with that option.

A positive mindset can’t hurt, so try to be upbeat for him and encourage him to do likewise.

cheers
Chasam