Hello!

Hello Harveyrex and welcome to this friendly group. Sorry to hear you have a recurrence after all this time. Lots of experiences here so always someone here to talk to. I hope al goes well with your treatment. Best wishes.

Hi Harveyrex,

sorry about the recurrence, but glad you have been told that you will be having chemo and cystectomy.

That's where my journey started just over 3 years ago. I was 69 , managed the chemo OK, not pleasant but doable. Then I had the op. They tell you it's like running a marathon and to get as fit as you can as it's a long operation even when done robotically. 

I have since had 3 years of good quality life and am aiming for many more. 

So yes, there is hope and I'm sure your team will do.their best to support you through it.

There are many people on here who have survived many years after their op. You can see people's histories by clicking on names.

Finally, on my first day back to my literature class after recovering from the op, a young looking pensioner  (woman) came up to me as I sat down asked if I had a stoma and how was I. I said fine and she said, yes my husband had one of those, he had it for 20 years, no problem. Of course he's dead now, but not from that. She made me laugh, anyway.

So that's something to aim at, I feel, not that I particularly want to live until I'm 90 (unless fit and capable).

All the best,

Latestart

Dear Latestart,

I am so grateful to read your words - I have not comm’d the full details of my situation to a great many, just employers, (I’m a teacher), and one or two friends.

Since diagnosis I have seemingly little control over my emotions and struggle to see a way through.  Hence the post.  

Your words and anecdote have been well received and I thank you for taking the time to share your experience, it has provided a balance to sometimes unwieldy thoughts.

Rgds,

Harveyrex

Hi Harveyrex,Welcome to the group though I am sorry to hear of your recurrence.It must have been a shock after so many years.I hope you will find it supportive here to help you through the surgery.I’m living well after cystectomy in 2019.Best wishes Jane 

Hello Jane,

Thank you for the welcome. It’s a rolling wave of shock and numbness, hope and despair, difficult for those nearest me which somehow makes it heavier.

Know that your words and sharing your experience is supportive as it lets me believe there is more hope than not.

Rgds,

Richard 

Indeed, there’s reason to be hopeful. Anticipation is usually worse than the actual experience, hope all goes smoothly for you. 

Hello Teasswill,

Thank you for the message and quite possibly the anticipation spread over 4 weeks will be worse than the process; one can but hope.

All the best to you and yours.

Oh my goodness Richard. Your description of a rolling wave really gripped me. It’s everything you said and such a loss of who you thought you were. And really hard to come back from to find the life you thought you had.  Youre doing really well. Even if you don’t feel you are xx

Hi Harveyrex,

Just sending you support and prayers that all goes well for you. Although I am not in your situation, my sister is. She

has just started her pre operation chemo and hopefully major surgery to follow for a full bladder removal plus a

hysterectomy. She became unwell in late August . It was originally treated as an UTI but later diagnosed as MI bladder

cancer. She lives alone but has a supportive extended family around her. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions as I

have just recovered from a major colon cancer operation last April. No sooner did we as a family breathe a sigh of relief,

we find ourselves dealing with this. We are holding onto hope that she manages through this and I hope that you too  go

forward with a good outcome. I am willing you on , Take care.

Hi IonaF, It must be so stressful for you and your family.Has your sister got a date for the surgery ? There are a few of on here who have undergone this operation and can offer support and advice.How are you after your own surgery ? Love Jane x