Bladder removal?

[peterh]

Had grade 3 tumour removed Sept.2015 followed by several sessions of bcg.my bladder has shrunk a lot and have been given a choice of having a catheter forever(I'm only 55) or have bladder removed.i am tempted to go for bladder removal,what do people think?

[Rossi68]

I was 42 when had bladder removed...was my only option...that was over 6 years ago...it was tough in first few months but now i know it was for the best...i hated stoma and bag to begin with but over time it gets easier...anything you'd like to know please ask

[peterh in reply to Rossi68]

Thanks rossi68 I like your comments

[come-unto_Me]

I had a Tumor removed in December 2015 and have had a Catheter in since then. I was not given a choice. My bladder shrunk and has sygnificant issues the Urology Consultant advised. I am 73, retired you are still very young, listen to the experts and make an informed choice, stay away from doctor Google. God bless. My prayer for you is that you have a long and active cancer free life.

[peterh in reply to come-unto_Me]

Thankyou for your advice.i am swaying towards bladder removal and be done with it,and yes I will steer well clear of Dr Google!

[Louise_John]

Hi can only go by own experience, I am 73 and been very active all my life, so bit of a stunner to be told I had bc. I had chemo and radiotherapy, which got shot of the cancer but not carcinoma in situ. I had option of more radical chemo, or more BCG ( did not do well with later) I was fed up with the continuous hospital appointments and invasive procedures. So in May last year I went in and had my bladder removed. Have not looked back. Few leaks as got into routine and found a bag that suited me. Now out enjoying my gardening and playing golf 3 times a week. Holiday was no problems as well. Best wishes with whatever you decide. But I found a catheter very invasive. And not easy to disguise especially in the summer.

[peterh in reply to Louise_John]

Thankyou for your comments Louis_John.i find the catheter which I have at the moment very annoying,which is one reason why I am leaning towards removal of bladder.

[angie26 in reply to Louise_John]

Hi Louise_John can you say if had any change to your taste or appetite, it’s 10 weeks since my husband’s op, removal of prostrate, bladder and lymph nodes and he can’t eat or sleep and has lost 6 1/2 stone!

[seawolf48]

Had mine removed when I was 59, that was 9 years ago, Doctors made a new one out of my intestines (neobladder) best choice I made

[peterh in reply to seawolf48]

Hi seawolf48,thanks for the positive comment.if I choose removal I hope I get the choice of a bag or neo bladder.did the surgery also include losing prostate gland and lymph nodes etc?

[Louise_John in reply to peterh]

My surgeon advised taking prostrate and lymph nodes as my cancer was in bladder neck and prostate etc same tissue type. J

[car2com]

Had my bladder removed at the age of 52 ìn 2012. Tough surgery but had an Indiana reservoir pouch made which is a bladder constucted out of part of intestine . I have no bag and catheterize myself thru a tiny stoma about 6 times a day. Way better than a bag and I am very active again. You're still young, if you are active, I would definitely go for the pouch than the bag. Good luck from Montreal, Canada.

[peterh in reply to car2com]

Thankyou car2com,will consider this when I meet with consultant

[Jim47]

I had my bladder (and prostate) removed last Aug. My choices were a neo bladder or stoma with ostomy pouch. My surgeon doesn't recommend neo bladder to anyone over 40. He felt the learning curve was too great--and the odds of a lifetime of incontinence was high. I have had my urostomy for 7 months now and have learned to live with it quite well. There are some challenges at first, but I am living fine with it now. I change pouches about every 4 days. I will be 70 in a couple of weeks and all of my senior male friends are jealous that I never have to get up during the night. (I have a larger capacity auxilliary overnight bag). I've had catheters and would definitely choose the urostomy.

[peterh in reply to Jim47]

Thanks for your comments jim47

[Gareth_G]

Hi,,,,, I had Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, and had my bladder removed, and a Neobladder reconstruction in May 2016. It was a long process, but almost 12 months on all is good! I was 56 when my bladder was removed !

[peterh in reply to Gareth_G]

Glad it's going well for you gareth

[Jimpa]

I am 71 years old and had Stage 2 invasive bladder cancer tumor removed in Mar 16. That was followed by 6 rounds of chemo. My oncologist felt it was time for bladder removal followed by stoma and bag or a neobladder. I consulted with one of the leading experts on neobladder construction at USC and even he recommended the stoma and bag. So on Aug 8th, I had my bladder, prostate, and 19 lymph nodes removed. Spent four days in the hospital. Recovery was a little rough but I was feeling pretty good by Dec. It took some time to find the right urostomy bag but I've got it now. Taking care of the stoma is also very easy. The 3 big companies are more than happy to send you free urostomy bag samples. I change mine every 6-7 days and it hasn't slowed me down. I'm back to playing golf 3 times a wee and doing some traveling I think I made the right choise to go with the stoma and bag. By the way, I've had CAT scans in Sep, Dec, and Mar and all revealed no discernible signs of cancer. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any more questions.

JimPa