Possible Problems With Bladder Cancer Treatment

[Ern007]

My treatment now seems to be - Flexy Cystoscopy first - If anything is found then booked for admission to have tumour(s) removed. This is done with a procedure called TURBT and rigid cystoscopy. As a BTY - I am unsure if my BCG treatment has ended, or have I one more go.

I am not allowed "general anaesthetic" due to my heart and lung conditions, I have always has an Epidural "Spine anaesthetic" even for a hernia op 10 years ago.

Problem is I now have a condition called ""Loss Lumber Lordosis" and that means I have lost all curvature in my spine.

I have had a lot of "Spine anaesthetic" but will that be allowed with a failing spine.

I can see problems if I have to have a GA - It could be dangerous being I also have slow heart rate.

I am making an appointment in person or phone to my GP. I need to know and will update when I find out .

My GP sent me for XRay on back, that how ""Loss Lumber Lordosis" was diagnosed.

[sassy59]

You have a lot going on Ern and the spinal problem is yet another problem to be tackled. Hoping your GP can actually see you and offer reassurance. Xxx😘

[Oshgosh in reply to sassy59]

it just seems as though it’s one thing after another to think about.x

[Ern007 in reply to Oshgosh]

You are not wrong Oshgosh - My medical record is going to run out of pages,x

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Carol - I hope she sees me, I need at least to know,What a time to get this. xxx

[sassy59 in reply to Ern007]

Wishing you well dear friend. Xxx🤞🏼

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Carole - I will update of course, Xxxx

[Issy22]

Ern. Stay positive ,you have already been through so much with ill health and it’s not fair you have to continue with more health problems.

Hopefully there will be no more tumours. 🤞

Thank fully you have the support of your lovely wife Anne and family. We will also give you as much support on this forum as we can. I wish you well.

IssyX

[Ern007 in reply to Issy22]

Thank you Issy - No tumours would be best. Anne has been supportive and I have had lot of support from this forum. x

[Patk1]

Hope all is positive for u,Ern007 x

[Ern007 in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Pat - I did not realise the implications until a couple days ago xx

[Donald_1931]

Good luck with all Ern. 👍

[Ern007 in reply to Donald_1931]

Thank you Donald

[rosco59]

I hope all goes well for you.

[Ern007 in reply to rosco59]

Thank you rosco59.

[Threecats]

I’m sorry to hear of the latest twist in your journey, Ern. I hope your GP is able to give you some reassurance on the spinal anaesthesia question.

[Ern007 in reply to Threecats]

Thank you Threecats - I am going to try and e seen Monday or Tuesday. That will be ok as it's not an emergency now.. but needs sorting sooner than later,

[Thepainterswife]

Oh Ern you have so much to deal with , hopefully your GP will be able to give you the information you need and all will be well 🙏. I know the “ not knowing times” are the worst , I’ve often thought myself into a state which has been completely resolved by a chat with a health professional xx

[Ern007 in reply to Thepainterswife]

Lucky for me I have a good GP. she will help even if she has to find out. I am lucky in that respect. xx

[Thepainterswife in reply to Ern007]

I’m pleased for you Ern, it makes such a difference when you have confidence in the people caring for you 😊 xx

[Izb1]

Fingers crossed all will be well Ern and you wont need to worry about this spinal problem x

[Ern007 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you Izb1 - I will get seen next week, it's not urgent now, but really need to know, GA I have had this worry in thr past.

[Numptybrain]

You are definitely going through it, flat back syndrome isn’t uncommon, unfortunately I have it due to degeneration of my spine. Oddly I too can’t have general anaesthetist’s anymore due to risk. Isn’t it awful when your life is complicated enough and they shove more complications onto you? Sometimes I really do wish I had a genie or a magic wand Ern .

Take care

Wendy xx

[Ern007 in reply to Numptybrain]

That's correct Wendy, being having a spinal has saved me worry as GA not safe for me. I is not good Wendy, seems every time I go for a test, something new. - I think the fact they two or three tmes lately they have struggled to get whatever it is into my spine , A Genie with power would be spot on. Hope you are OK with your Flatback Wendy xx

[sunshineday]

So sorry Ern to hear you've more health problems as if you didn't have enough already. I do hope you get some reassurance from your GP and that you won't need to have a GA. You have l'm sure our positive good wishes from all of us and 🙏from me. xx Joy

[Ern007 in reply to sunshineday]

Thank you for the good wishes Joy - My GP will know or find out for me, I had never heard of Flatback S before,/ Thank you for your good wishes. I will update. Joy xx

[katieoxo60]

Good morning Ern007, you have a large difficult history their at times those of us with several varied history can get confused . There are lots of new ways to do ops without GA depends on the length of time to do the repair on your body. But you still need full support from your GP and community team. As for running out of pages your electronic record will and maybe the manual one will leaving your GP with writers cramp 🙂not wanting to put light on your many problems as I am going through similar at the moment so chin up and hope for the best. As the saying goes always look on the bright side of life. Best wishes.

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank you katieoxo60 - My problems with operation is I have COPD, and Heart complaints that can affect my breathing.

I rigid cystoscopy is not very nice, but works, when turned INTO a TURBT - Meaning to clear anything, then it's a stay in, most times I was out same day.

This new problem with my back is caused by my spine. They on recent occasions have found it hard to get the "Spine anaesthetic" between bones/discs in my spine.

With (Loss Lumber Lordosis). I wonder if they will want to to a GA, which I have managed to avoid.

Thank you, I manage to look on bright side normally. katie.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Ern007]

I appreciate what you are saying about operations , I have had more than one since diagnosed with COPD including a knee replacement. Oh and I also have high BP which is a heart condition, maybe not as bad as yours but every op is risky even things like CT scans with contrast are too . Its about whether you and the consultant want to risk it including whether there is any benefit to taking the risk. Spine anaesthetic have there own risks too so I appreciate your concerns and of course as we get older it becomes more risky I would say. Only you can decide if you want to take that risk and deciding is very difficult. So you have my thoughts with you do let us know when you know & hope the wait is not too long for youplus hope the surgon agrees if thats what you decide.

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank you Katie - I have had little problems with spinals bar twice it took 20 minutes or more to get the needle in - Another I went in a mild shock after the op.

They wanted to remove my bladder and other part, a 6 hour op, I declined until it was last chance saloon. I was right I have now gone low grade, but BC has a habit of coming back, hence the many cystoscopy's - I will post the outcome thank you..

[shorttail]

If like me, you have routine cystoscopys now for your bladder cancer, if they find anything it will be very small and can be burnt out in clinic. I have had two like this and it is painless. Best wishes.

[Ern007 in reply to shorttail]

Thank you shortfall. ' My first TURBT they I understand they scraped it away, I was in overnight because of bleeding. next was a rigid cystectomy and they zapped something small - My BC had turned High Grade and then problems started, MDT stepped in (That's something else)

More rigid cystectomy showed high grade, then BCG seems to have drove it low grade.

My problem is GA - If my spine problems cause me to have no spinals, - That could be a problem -- hence my visit to GP. Hope you stay clear.

[watergazer]

Hope you get some reassurance from your GP. You have a lot to contend with x

[Ern007 in reply to watergazer]

Thank you watergazer - My GP will help, she sure will ask for me but, in the past I have been told to ask the anaesthetist on the day. I was happy the way it was x

[Dottie11]

A good idea to chat with Gp. I was off here yesterday hospital appt. So late reply. The good things is that you still have options that are being considered But not without an awful lot of health issues that you face. these clustering issues can overwhelm. Good luck with Gp and going forward.xxx

[Ern007 in reply to Dottie11]

Hi Dottie Thank you.- I like my GP and if she can help she will. - It's not the ops/cancer that bother me at the moment, it's what the anaesthetist will decide - they may be able to sort some thing to make the op safe. - I sure hope so.

[Dottie11]

Lets hope so. Keep us all posted. xx

[Ern007 in reply to Dottie11]

Sure will

[Nula2]

Oh Ern, yet more problems for you. As you say you need to know ASAP. Please keep us posted when you feel up to it. This must be taking all of your strength both physically and emotionally yet again. Hard to believe that one person could have so many diverse medical issues to deal with. ❤️We are all thinking of you xxx

[Ern007 in reply to Nula2]

Thank you Nula - I have got this far with my ailments - Little things like GA bother me the most. Yes for sure I will keep you all posted.

[Greenthorn]

One thing for sure Ern is that you articulate all this very well. From my end it presents like a huge mathematical jigsaw. Ugh! So I take my hat off to you for being on top of all the goings on. I'm shortly off for a doctor's appointment re the possible use of statins. That to me is easy peasy lemon squeezy. I'll say yes or no or defer.I wish you all the best on the current pathway with the least of discomfort.

[Ern007 in reply to Greenthorn]

Thank you Greenthorn. Anne just been put on statins - I have been on Atorvastatin for years - No problems at all.

[Greenthorn in reply to Ern007]

Yes, Atorvastatin, is the one the Pharmacist at my doctor's surgery is suggesting. This showed up on a Thorax CT scan showing coronary calcium plaque. But I am puzzled why it is that the surgery have picked this up and not my Consultant heart guy who did not mention this on my last visit of a few months back. I am due to see the Consultant on 9 July and I'm inclined to wait till then to gain his opinion. Meanwhile I will do some research.

My best thoughts for your successful treatment.

[Newstart3]

Sounds like a tricky situation to be in, you have quite a few issues to be dealing with. Good luck with it all.

[Ern007 in reply to Newstart3]

Thank you

[HungryHufflepuff]

that’s a lot to contend with. Hopefully your GP can speak with you about it all. Sending you lots of good wishes 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

[Ern007 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

What concerns me HH is being I have spinal problems, would I have to have GA for routine checks as epidural are put in spine and they have found it harder going. My GP will tell me or find out for me. She really is a good one. Thank you HH..