Today my husband’s cancer diagnosis was confirmed. It’s described as squamous carcinoma T4 C2 ( stage 4 moderately differential) that invaded his bladder into the surrounding abdominal tissue but they are not sure if it has attached to the stomach wall (was called locally invasive ) so good news it has not spread to places it is not growing in) He will probably have a bladder removal (Cystectomy) and some of the abdominal tissue , this may require some plastic surgery as his bladder has leaked into the surrounding tissue which caused cellulitis. There is a good chance he will undergo a month of Chemotherapy before the surgery just to ensure any small cancer cells are killed before surgery. The Oxford surgery team will discuss his case and decide on dates and f full treatment plan on Friday.
He is being really positive but I’m really battling as I can see how much weight he lost and how unwell he is.
I lost my stepdad to cancer a week ago and my uncle to lung cancer in December so this has left me reeling. How does everyone cope? I’ve signed up to SlimmingWorld to get healthy and am making sure he gets the recommended exercise so I need to be healthy too but it’s so difficult with work
Hello and welcome to the group, although sorry to hear about your husband and all you have had to deal with. It sounds as if his team are looking after him. I have not had a cystectomy, but did have 6 weeks of chemo which helped halt the growth before going on to further treatment. The chemo was not too bad and was also designed to clear any other rogue cells floating about. I lost a lot of weight prior to my treatment, but gradually put it back on. Important to make sure he stays well hydrated, so a glass or bottle of water to hand at all times helps. Best wishes.
Thank you for your words of experience. We have now been told by the oncology surgeon that surgery is currently not an option and because it’s squamous cell carcinoma chemo may not work so they have to look at a combination treatment but due to him having had radiation before that may not be an option due to the damage it’s done so not ver
good news. Hopefully by Monday we’ll have a better idea of what they plan to do
