Hi Cindi, Sorry to hear you had a kidney infection, I'm glad you're ok now though. My review with the surgeon went very well today, the results from the deep biopsies indicated that the cancer had not gone into the bladder muscle, thank goodness.  My surgeon has arranged for me to see the oncologist in 2 weeks to set times for immediate immunotherapy. That will be once a week for 6 weeks then once every 3 months for 4 years the once every 6 mths for life. From now on my surgeon will look inside my bladder once every 3 mths for 4 years, after this period he will review my condition. He said the treatment will be for the rest of my life, he also did say that there is a strong chance the cancer will return within the next 5 years which he will deal with it when it shows again. I had a great couple of days with my partner, we went into the city and saw a daytime show which was great, had some nice fish and chips then went walking at the beach, and I'm certainly cheered up a bit now. So the news today was good, as he said to me, my cancer is life long. Hope you're ok. Chat soon. xx ... View more

Hi Cindi, How's your week been and how are you feeling?, I've been walking over the last few days, just a km at a time atm with my partner around the streets at her place, I can't walk too far as I need to empty my bladder frequently, it's so annoying as it comes on so fast and I can't hold on either, hopefully that will settle down, I will also talk to my surgeon on Tuesday about that too. I've been at my partners for a couple of days this week, I came home yesterday. My depression comes and goes in waves, today is not the best of days though, i had an average sleep last night even with sleeping tablets, most nights are the same having to go to the bathroom 6 or so times. My pain has settled down a lot now although its not completely gone yet, 1st surgery it took about 5 weeks for the pain to go so there's a bit to go yet. Next Tuesday I will see my surgeon for the results of deep biopsies and review for treatment, and appointment with onc 🤞 How are you feeling ? and when is your next chemo , do you know when you will see your onc and surgeon next. Next few days are going to be sunny, and I'll get to see my partner on Sunday, she is taking me to a play in the city, so that will be fun. Thinking about you and hope your ok xx ... View more

Hi Cindi, Thank you for your support, I really appreciate it.  Yes my partner and I love bush walks. unfortunately she lives 40km away and works full time nightshift, however she is also fantastic support. But its different when I can talk to you, we're both going through the same journey, and that helps me come to terms with it a little better hearing your story. Rained all day here, just an inside day Hope you had good time bush walking.  Take care, xx   ... View more

Hi Cindi, Thanks for your message, I look forward to them. It's nice being home, but its different for me now, right through my life I've always been strong inside right through the ups and downs and kept myself together, since being diagnosed with Bladder cancer, my feelings are different now, I've been a bit depressed on and off, I've felt a bit more lonely too, I guess I'm still coming to terms with it as well. Once I start to heal properly, I'll be able to get out and do things to keep my mind occupied. Do you go through different feelings too ? From all your messages it sounds like you're really on track and really positive. Today its raining here and cold, so just watching TV and I'll read my book later. Next couple of days I'll do some short walks so I don't lose too much fitness.  I'll be thinking about you and hoping you're getting through this ok. Have a good day🙂 Take care, Richard xx ... View more

Hi Cindi, Hope you're ok, thinking about you too. My surgery went ok, this time he removed part of my prostate as well, I was only in 2 days , a cathoda flush for 36hrs, I couldn't sleep...anyway I'm home now and I'm a lot happier, i only have a slight bit of pain, but a lot more when urinating, it will be probably be 4 weeks of healing. I have an appointment with the surgeon on the 15th Oct for a complete review, so I'm staying positive, have to just wait, then see what the oncologist says about treatment. So last couple of days I've just been watching TV and reading my book, surgeon said limited movement for 10 days, but I will be looking forward to going back to the gym to walk on the treadmill,  and I'm lucky that my gym is only 100m away from me. So how are you feeling ? and when is your next chemo ?.  Have you been getting out much at all, last couple of days here the weather has been good, a bit of sunshine always helps me. Hoping you're ok. Take care, Sending nice hugs too xx Richard    ... View more

Hi Cindi, I've been thinking about you and checking in on how you are feeling after the big chemo session on Thursday.  I really hope you're feeling not too bad and you can get back to the gym in a few days. Finally we are having some good weather,  just the weather can have a bearing on how you feel, tomorrow's going to be sunny and 21 here, but I'll watch the grand final in the arvo, my team is out but it'll be good to watch. I've been stocking up on supplies, food etc for my op on Monday, my last op I couldn't drive for 2 weeks and couldn't walk far for a week, it'll be similar this time around I guess. Its crazy cause today was a day with no pain in my bladder, first time since the surgery, but I'm still incontinent though, I hate the nappies, maybe this will be a lifelong thing though. I hope you're ok, and I'll be thinking about you.  Take care. Hugs xx, Best wishes, Richard    ... View more

Hi Shell16, My name is Richard, I'm 68, 6 weeks ago I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, 4 weeks ago I had surgery to remove 2 tumors and biopsies were taken, however in a review post surgery I had found out I needed further surgery to remove more cancer, that surgery is next Monday the 30th. I know now that cancer is certainly a complete life changing event, it wasn't until a week ago it finally hit me and I became depressed. My partner who doesn't live with me is a nurse and still working at 67, she uplifts me and keeps me busy when she can, she makes sure that I know that she will be right beside me in my treatment and recovery process when that happens after my next surgery.  Personally I know that I won't give up and neither will my partner for being there for me. When we are together there is no discussion about cancer, its about being pro active and doing things and keeping occupied, we do still discuss my symptoms though... its not easy when your life just completely changed in an instant. My GP has been a great help with me, I suggest you talk to your GP and discuss your feelings, I live alone, and that in itself is quite depressing when your sick, all I can say is talk to your GP, maybe counselling could be of some assistance for you. My GP prescribed antidepressants for me with the approval of my surgeon, now I can sleep reasonably ok.  If you have family and or friends, perhaps seek their comfort, now my friends call me often to make sure I'm ok and to have a pleasant chat.  I hope and pray your journey will be a positive one. Be strong, stay strong. Wishing you both all the very best. Kind regards, Richard  ... View more

Hi Cindi, Thanks for your message, and yes I will do my utmost to follow your advice and be as positive as I can.  Yesterday I got audible and downloaded a book, I normally just read but I thought I would give it a try, I don't have any pets either, I had a cat that passed away 2 years ago, she was 17, I live in a small unit from the beginning of this year now so having a pet wouldn't be ideal for them.  Today I'm feeling a bit down atm, my feelings and emotions are up and down, for the first time in my life I don't feel like myself at all, I always felt positive and strong with a good outlook to life, I just have to get that back. I will be thinking about you and sending you positive thoughts. Talk again soon Best wishes, Richard xx   ... View more

Hi Cindi, Thank you for your message, glad the chemo is not as bad as expected for you, have you had any hair loss or gum and teeth problems at all ? Yes the waiting and not knowing is stressful, my doctor has prescribed Endep low dose to help get me off to sleep also some temazapam 1 tablet per day for anxiety, I'm trying not to take these, only if I'm desperate . Keeping busy is a challenge, i go to the gym most days just to walk on the treadmill for an hour, then read a book or watch some tv, I'm 68yro, at this point just trying to get my fitness back, I had a hip replacement in april as well so this year has been a real challenge for me. I had been on google a lot researching bladder cancer, now I'm staying away from that, it hasn't been uplifting for me. Its only been these last few days that its really hit home that my cancer could limit my life, however I just must focus on living and keep positive and have a healthy lifestyle,  I live in the sth east suburbs of Melbourne,  Berwick, my hospital is only 5 minutes away fortunately, the same with my urologist.  So now I will just have to wait till the 2nd surgery on the 30th and then the results of the deep biopsies then the oncologist. Talk soon. Sending you hugs and Best wishes too. 🙂❤ Take care, Richard xx ... View more

Thank you Cindi for your message, you are so very kind .You have been so brave to go through all that, how are you feeling now ? are you on Chemo yet ? Please let me know. I have my next round of cancer surgery next Monday 30th Sept,  atm I won't know what the ongoing treatment will be, definitely immunotherapy, but also could be chemotherapy as well, just have to wait until the op then see the oncologist.  Wishing you all the very best, you will be in my thoughts for your recovery.  Sending you healing wishes Richard xx ... View more