New diagnosis

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Hi all,

53 year old,female Newby here,

So worried,having pain in groin area maybe since March,noticed blood in urine around August two separate occasions, and urgency and burning when passing urine,

Rang gp and got to see my nurse no uti present but said she could feel a mass in my tummy and the pain I was experiencing was in my ovary area,she sent my urine to path lab and got me an ultrasound scan,the scan apparently showed " tenderness on my bowel"?though he said he'd scanned my kidneys and ovaries so I've had to have more bloods and a poo sample for that,(awaiting results) also got an appointment at urology for a cystoscopy ,which showed several red dots and a larger one in a different area of my bladder ,obviously they don't tell you anything there and then,but I just knew,and she said they were being very,very cautious,I didn't have a biopsy but they told me to ring for results in 2 weeks,again results for what if I didn't have a biopsy,I'm also awaiting results of a ct scan with contrast dye,I'm so worried as I've had lower back pain and leg pains and fatigue but I put this down to my job and age,I've just been on holiday but couldn't enjoy it,I'm back to work the day I ring for results from cystoscopy and I'm dreading it ,I've never been in hospital in my life,I'm too young at 53,I've worked hard for a good retirement and now this,I lost my sister to cervical cancer two years ago,she was only 44,and another to suicide 20 years ago she was only 28,I feel for my mother to maybe lose another daughter.xxx

  • Hi Nutjob,

    I have been treated for bladder cancer and was only told I had it after the TURBT. That's the way they do it at my hospital. There are various treatments for it, depending on the type of the cancer cells and whether or not it has grown into muscle or has spread. Macmillan has some very good leaflets all about it if, like me, you want to know and want to talk sensibly to doctors when they tell you stuff. In fact my hospital referred me to the website after the TURBT. If you had rather not know that's fine too.

    I found that I wasn't as scared when they told me I had cancer as I had expected to be and used up any anxiety I did have finding out what was going to happen next and trying to keep things at home as straightforward as possible. One thing that probably helped is that 50 years ago when my mother had exactly the same thing she found it too late and so there was nothing they could do for her. These days they know all about it and how to deal with it  and I have been pleased to have the chances she never had. Everyone copes in their own way but I hope you will soon know more and will be able to decide how you will process the information you are given.

     At the moment I am about to have my 21 month's review after my operation (in my case they removed the bladder and gave me a stoma. That has all turned out fine). The surgeons and oncologist have continued to support me, my family and I have returned to normal after the treatment and, up to now, I have remained free of cancer. Obviously, I am hoping that continues but am not worried - Worrying doesn't cure cancer has been my motto and I am trying hard to make the best use of whatever time I have left to me. And logically, at 71, cancer may not be what gets me in the end.

    Good luck and I hope hearing this will help you. Meanwhile I am off to do some Pilates (highly recommended). 

  • Thankyou for you're reassuring support xxx

  • It’s a supportive group so I hope you will get some benefit from joining us.Most people feel a lot better once the results are all in and they have the full picture.Love Jane xx