Bladder Surgery

Hello AnthonyM and welcome to the group. Sorry you find yourself here but you are in good company. Is this your first surgery (A TURBT) or are you further advanced? Bit of background as to where you are up to would help. Bladder cancer can be treated successfully. Many of us have been there and know how you feel. Best wishes.

Hello riley.

Further advanced I'm afraid. TURBT showed the tumour is in the muscle wall so therefore removing the bladder is the only sensible solution. I was hoping for a better result,  but not to be. 

Tony

Hi AnthonyM . I was also muscle invasive but given the opportunity of radiotherapy as an alternative to RC. Many here have had successful removal and I am sure will be along with advice, Best wishes,

Hi AnthonyM,Welcone to this friendly group.Bladder removal is a big surgery but you can still have a good life once you have recovered.I found it helpful to have help for the first week or so when I came out of hospital.I could manage to shower and the stoma care myself but did need my sister to help me up the stairs as I was wobbly/weak.Eating little but often is best as it’s common to lose your appetite.Rest when you need to rest.Try to walk a little each day and build up walking distances gradually.A great tip I got here was to take smaller steps.Recovery can be very up and down so don’t be discouraged if you have a bad day/week.A lot of people do feel over emotional or depressed at some point during the recovery.I got encouragement in this group when I felt fed up.Once I felt a bit better I used the recovery time to do some gentle hobbies which I had not had time for previously.This helped pass the time.I felt better after 3 months but it was 8 months before I was able to return to work.Some people recover quicker than others but it usually takes a few months.I hope this helps.There is plenty of support and advice here so feel free to ask any questions.Best wishes Jane 

Thank you. Definitely a big worry.

Tony

Hi Tony,It is natural to feel worried but there are several of here who have had this surgery and are back to leading our normal lives.I was able to care full time for my disabled mother 8 months after the surgery and that was a physical job.Prior to that I was doing light gardening and some decorating.I only needed help for the first week or so and spent the rest of the recovery home alone and was able to manage.I’ve had no problems at all adjusting to having a stoma.I’m sure the others will be along to share their experiences.Is there anything that you are particularly worried about ? Best wishes Jane x

Hi Jane.

Well I suppose its the surgery itself and then the unknown. Its all a massive shock as I have had no health issues all my life. I'm fit and active and therefore a bit confused by it all. I don't know what else to say really. Everyone in the family has been great and supportive but right now it's not helping much. 

Tony

Hi Tony,I can see why that would be a huge shock and you probably need some time to process it all.It must be more difficult to adjust if you have always been fit and well.Being fit and active will be of great help in your recovery though so that is a positive thing.

Difficult to adjust to the news I mean

Hi AnthonyM 

The unknown is what makes things scary for us. I had my bladder removed as part of a larger surgery in March 2020 and have to say the thought was worse than the reality of it all! Keep chatting in the group, and those of us who have been through bladder removal will be happy to help with any advice and support we can give you having been through it ourselves, 

Recovery takes time, but though it’s slow, you will get there. You need to expect to be very tired for a time afterwards and to need to rest, but no reason not to live a very much normal life after surgery. Being fit and active now will be a huge advantage for you going through this.

Sarah xx