Still await full diagnoses

Hi NC1   and welcome to the group. Sorry to hear you are still in a bit of limbo, waiting on further results. I was T3 and had 6 weeks of chemo and drove myself to every session. I didn't have a problem with it but some people do. The chemo generally used for bladder cancer is not the type where you are guaranteed to lose your hair. We have had people here reporting hair thinning, but very rarely total loss, so the odds are in your favour. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.

Frankly NC1 [and welcome to the group if I haven't seen you before] , I would ask for a simple blood test to check if you are anaemic from the continued bleeding. Weakness and muscle aches and sleepiness could all be symptoms of anaemia as far as I know. Your GP should be able to do this without you having to get into Maidstone.

If you're lucky the GP may be able to send a district nurse to get your blood sample.

As regards driving there may be a hospital transport service, volunteer car drivers etc that you could use if necessary.

Let us know how you get on,

best, 

Denby

I am in Sussex but here cancer or renal get automatic hospital transport for every trip.  I didn't have any problems.     Please phone ambulance  cars at the hospital and they will give you details.  Best wishes.  

Hi NC1,

I had a similar diagnosis to yours  in August 2022 and 4 cycles of chemo, (treatment in weeks 1 & 2 with week 3 off) from September to November. My hair did thin and the cumulative effect of the chemo left me quite weak by the end.

The chemo is designed to reduce the tumour size by the time you have the operation and fortunately it worked for me. I hope you will have the same result. My husband did the transport and I was pleased because after midway I could not have managed it safely, especially in rush hour London. I hope the hospital will arrange transport for you.

When you meet your oncologist I suggest you raise how you are feeling now. I saw mine each week of treatment - they like to keep a close eye on how the chemo is affecting you. I had no problems after the Turbt, unlike you. 

 And treatment usually starts quickly after diagnosis. 

I hope it helps to know that now, just over 2 years after they took out my bladder and gave me a stoma, I feel fine, life is more or less back to normal and I have regained much of  my fitness. I am fortunate that I have maintained an optimistic outlook throughout. And hope to continue like that for as long as possible - I am now aged 72 and am still working to improve my fitness further.

All the best,

Latestart

Thanks, everyone.

I'll get an econsole about the anaemia done in the morning.  As for the hospital transport, well, we have G4s here, but that seems a bit hit and miss - for example, when I went for the TURBT, I was told they could bring me home but not take me!

As for the hair thing, I'm already thin on top, so I'm thinking half-bald