Newly diagnosed 81 year old - 1st TURBT

Hello TedRog and welcome to the group although sorry to hear about Mum. A cancer diagnosis is scary for all involved but BC can be treated successfully. They would not usually go ahead if they detect an infection. A TURBT is usually done in day surgery but prepare Mum for an overnight in case she goes down late. It is not advised to cut back on fluids even with frequent urination. This has an adverse effect on the bladder and allows bacteria to build up. The urine becomes concentrated and acidic and irritates the bladder causing the feeling of needing to go. We are always advised to drink plenty of water to keep the bladder fresh. Lots of support here as you go forward. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.

Thanks for your reply, I thought that would be the answer, I’ll continue to encourage her to drink and hope she can keep any infection away x 

Hi TedRog,Welcome to the group.A lot of people on here drink lemon barley water in addition to other fluids.It can help to prevent infections.Drinking plenty is important as rily has said limiting fluids irritates the bladder and that causes more problems.I hope you find the group helpful and supportive.Best wishes Jane 

Thanks for your reply Jane, I’ll be sure to keep encouraging her drinking and suggest the barley water to try and keep infection away. Many thanks x

Hi TedRog,Cranberry juice is also good but that can be too acidic for some bladders to tolerate.Once your mum has the TURBT she will need to drink plenty afterwards to help flush out the bladder.It’s common to see debris and some blood in the urine at first but this should settle down quickly.Regular painkillers will help if your mum has any pain.I used to find a covered hot water bottle over the bladder a comfort.It’s advisable to avoid any heavy lifting for a few weeks while the bladder heals internally.A TURBT doesn’t take long the biopsies taken will determine the next step.I hope it all goes well.We are all here to help and advise.Best wishes Jane x

It does seem counter intuitive, but reducing intake makes urine more concentrated and so irritates bladder more. Plenty of fluids will dilute urine and possibly then less urgency. Maybe she would wear a pad in case of accidents? 

Normally they won't do TURBT if there is a known infection, but I don't recall being tested on the day, only at pre-op. Be prepared that she may not be told much in the way of results immediately after the TURBT, you usually have to wait a few weeks until the path report is back. Hope all goes well.

Hi Tedrog,

Welcome to this friendly forum but sorry to hear about your mum.

Others have mentioned about the importance to keep up fuild intake etc.

I've had two TURBTs and 8 biopsies under GA. Each instance I had a preop around about a week in advance and urine samples were taken and tested, also on the day of the operation's I had to give a urine sample.

Wishing you both all the best.

Trevor 

Thank you for your reply, will try cranberry juice, thanks for the tips for after the TURBT x

Thank you for your reply and advice, she is already wearing pads, hopefully the increase in fluids will help with the urgency. 

she doesn’t currently have an infection I was concerned that if she carried on limiting her fluid intake she may cause one. I’ve explained how important it is to keep drinking.

Thanks for the information about after the operation. It’s good to hear from people who have been through it. Xx

Thanks for your reply, I’ll keep her drinking and hopefully she will be ok.
I don’t know what she would do if they said it was cancelled on the day!! But trying to be positive so to me it’s going ahead! Thanks again x