Hello everyone,
Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone for all the useful information, commentary and support on here. I’ve just started reading it but there’s a real camaraderie that shines through.
I’m not sure I should be posting here quite yet, as I’m still waiting for my diagnosis. After recurrent issues with my bladder not emptying properly stretching back a good few years, I got in touch with the doctor again recently as it seemed to be getting bad again - what seemed like lots of UTIs and pain. They sent me for an ultrasound and I was lucky enough to get in on Monday, and the results were sent back urgently as there’s apparently a 1.2cm lesion in my bladder.
I also had some blood tests on Tuesday and they’ve come back with borderline high red blood cell, white blood cell and leukocyte readings, as well as what seems to be non-diabetic hyperglycaemia. I don’t really understand what all that means, but I’ve got to go back for more bloods in a couple of weeks.
I've been given a referral to the urology department at Derby Royal Hospital and an appointment for a week on Friday, but no detail as to what this will entail yet. It was fairly scary seeing the words ‘urgent’ and ‘cancer’ on my notes on the NHS app and wasn’t something I was expecting to see. I’m guessing the lesion will have to be checked out to see if it is malignant or not. The referral also mentions ‘suspected renal cancer’, but no one has spoken about this to me yet - just the bladder lesion.
Anyway, on the one hand I’m really pleased that everything is moving, and on the other hand a bit in the dark as to what it means. Obviously I’ve done the whole thing of going down internet rabbit holes, which is what led me here, and it seems that benign lesions in the bladder are quite unusual, but I’m still hopeful that it might prove to be so, and also feeling positive that something is being done to address the problems. I’m in a fair bit of pain and discomfort around my groin, abdomen and back, which is what really encouraged me to go back to the doctor after a good few years of investigations leading nowhere. I’m hopeful that, whatever the outcome, that can be addressed so I can get a decent night’s sleep again ;)
I know it’s hard to make a prognosis without any of the investigative data, but I’d be interested to know the experiences of others and what I might expect from my referral, and also if anyone has had a benign lesion that’s been treated.
Thank you all again for such wonderful wisdom, insight and openness in these forums. It’s been really helpful to read and to see the positivity shining through from so many people. I wish you all the best in your individual journeys 
-matt
Hi Matt. Just to echo what Jane says. Not what you wanted but it has been identified now and your treatment starting with a TURBT will begin. The procedure is not too bad in the great scheme of things and the results will determine a treatment plan which gives you something positive to focus on. Best wishes.
Thanks Ste, appreciate your kind words and support. Great news that you’re at the stage of follow up care. That must feel good. Take care and keep smiling
-matt
Hi DerbyBlade . Good to know it is going ahead tomorrow. With an early start you should be home the same day. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.
Well, my TURBT seemed to go well. They offered me the choice of spinal block or general anaesthetic, and I went for the spinal (fewer side effects for me than general) which had the added and unexpected benefit of allowing me to watch the procedure via the monitor as the surgeon resected the bladder. Fascinating stuff!
I had to stay overnight due to living alone, which wasn’t quite as bad as I’d feared. I even managed to get a bit of sleep. My catheter bag was showing some nice yellow urine before bed time, which was encouraging. It was very red in the morning, but drinking some more water soon helped with that.
I’m now a bit tender, but I’ve had my catheter and cannula removed, and I’m peeing well (it’s a lovely shade of pink, and while it hurts a bit to go, it’s infinitely preferable to having the catheter in). I’m just waiting for the nurse to discharge me so I can go home and start healing. I’ve been told I’ll get my results at clinic in four weeks, so I’ll try not to panic or second-guess what might happen in the meantime and continue just taking things as they come and concentrating on the only things that I can influence.
Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight! I’ve got the kids this weekend to keep me distracted (and I’ll make sure I don’t over-do it) and plenty of lemon barley water to flush me out
