Bladder cancer spread to ureter

[Mabelleigh]

My husband was diagnose last April with low grade non aggressive bladder cancer. He had on large mass removed and was packed up and sent home. No follow up. Then in November he started with kidney pain and bleeding when urinating ( this time lots more blood). We had a ultrasound done which confirmed two masses in his bladder. So before Xmas he went in again to hospital and the went into the first layer of his bladder and removed the masses. Unfortunately one mass was obstructing his left ureter, so they placed a stent in for 6 weeks. Last week in went in to have the stent removed and further exploration, they found 4 lesions in his ureter which they removed. So now they wish to give him chemo via the bladder. Husband is not happy with this idea. I also should add the hospital felt that the cancer has changed in grade and aggression, we are waiting for those biopsy s to return. Any one out there who has had a similar journey I would love to hear from you. Cheers

[#2]

Hi I was flicking through this forum looking for ways to support a friend who has very recently been diagnosed with tongue cancer when your post caught eye. My Dad has been fighting bladder cancer since 2005 (i think.... it's been so long now). He found he had a problem when one day he began to urinate blood. At first he tried to ignore it but within 24hrs he was passing large blood clots and could no longer ignore it! After seeing doctors and specialists he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. It was an aggressive cancer but fortunately only in the first layers of the bladder and contained in the bladder at that time. He had initial operations which removed the cancer by burning the affected areas followed by a bladder chemo wash also. Dad's recount of his chemo wash was scary and serious although we all managed to find it hilarious as he put his own spin on it all. His side effects fortunately were very minimal as the chemo was contained in his bladder so not affecting his general health- continence beging the biggest issue. He said that it involved the chemo solution being pumped into his bladder "Via a garden hose through his old fella" as he refers, delightfully watching all the men in his audience squirming in their chair:) Once his bladder was uncomfortably full (any women who have had a baby ultrasound will sympathise) Dad had to lay on a bed and roll 45 degrees every 15 minutes to ensure the solution was in contact with all of his bladder (soething Dad listened to and took very seriously). Dad had been laying for quite sometime but could not hold any longer. He called to a nurse (they didn't stay with him as it was quite long process but they didn't hear him (or arrive quite fast enough) so he decided to try make it to a loo himself. Upon standing up the pressure got too much and he voided the whole chemo solution down his legs and onto the floor. At this time the nurse arrived and in a flurry was gone to return in what Dad described as a full chemical warfare suit to clean the spill. Meanwhile there was Dad standing quite embaressed in the middle of what he now believed to be a very dangerous puddle in the raw! He was in a bit of state querying politely if he needed a shower to remove this chemical from his skin but was simply handed a bunch paper towel by the nurse in the chemical suit with a simple no you are are ok. Needless to say when Dad got home that day he had a very very thorough shower 😉 He was also advised by the chem suit nurse that he didn't HAVE to hold that time and could've gone earlier... if only he had asked or been told that upfront!! For Dad the chemo wash wasn't as effective as his doctor had hoped so he only had a couple of treatments before they canned this and over time the cancer spread up his ureter towards his kidney. After alot of monitoring and biopsies Dad's doctor advised he would like to remove a portion of Dad's afftected ureter and part of his bladder. This would mean a huge bladder reconstruction. Dad had this operation which was a success ( with the exception of a very severe infection which hospilatised him for over a week- most scary thing of this whole process to watch my Dad go through). Dad continues to have checkups every 3 months to monitor the growth of the cancer and every 2nd or 3rd time will have a burn to try and control any areas of concern. His next check is on the 22nd of this month. In terms of how this has been for Dad and us as a family it's been a crazy rollercoaster. I remember vividly that not long after Dad's diagnosis his drivers license was due for renewal and he told my Mum that he no longer wanted to renew for 5 years because he wouldn't live that long. Things like that make me realise the severity and i got really angry at Dad for being so negative as he had no reason or diagnosis that would give him this indication. I now understand that that was all part of coming to terms with the diagnosis and although i always want my Dad to be the strong unwavering Dad that i have always known he will at times also struggle through this process. He now bounces back from any checkups and surgeries so quickly (he thinks "he is as fit as a mallee bull" within an hour of a general anaesthetic) that at times I forget that Dad even has cancer. Since Dad's big reconstruction operation he has had all relatively positive results- (a few burns a year) and the docs have been mananged to keep it contained and have minimised growth. The first few years were really frightenting, not knowing what to expect and where cancer was taking our family, but i guess Dad has now settled into the routine and we accepts the 3 monthly checkups as occasional burns as part of our lives now. We will continue to pray and remain positive that his cancer will be completely removed and a clean bill of health delivered but at this stage i am so happy to continue to have Dad here now to have walked me down the aisle, and to have loved and been loved by my two little girls! I hope that your results come back as positive as possible and would love to hear how you progress. I know my Dad and Mum would be happy to offer encouragement if it would be of any help to you both. Mum and Dad live in Bedfordale WA. Warmest Regards Teresa

[Mabelleigh]

Teresa, Thank you so much for your entry, I must admit I gave a giggle. Hubby failed to see the humour but I feel he is much like your dad in the earlier times. It definitely seems to be the cancer that doesn't like to disappear in a hurry. Gary hates the catheter and this seems at times to be our biggest battle as every time he is in hospital he has to have one. The constant pain when urinating is the other biggie he walks around aimlessly after going holding his pelvic area and squinting because of it. He hesitates to drink as he is frightened to go the toilet, and when he does he moves as fast as he can. Now he is saying enough is enough and is shunning the idea of doing the chemo, as he feels it gives no guarantee. I'm at wits end in what to do or say as he is the one who is going through so much. Hopefully in the next week or so he changes his mind as he is due to start chemo on the 27th. I loved your reply and hope we keep up this communication, you are the first we have had that is similar to my hubbies. Cheers Anne