Bladder cancer at 27.

Hello all.

I've just signed up to the site as I'm feeling in need of support.

I was given a diagnosis of BC in Feb this year. I had an ultrasound in Jan when I felt a lump, the lump was a gland and totally unrelated to the BC but the specialist carrying out the scan must have found something as i received a letter asking me to attend an appointment for a flexible cystoscopy. They found a lump but the consultant wouldn't commit to diagnosis. I had it removed and they managed to remove it all. Following tests on the lump they diagnosed the cancer, fortunately it hadn't touched the muscle tissue at this stage.

I've been really struggling with this diagnosis as I am aware I will continue to have tumours for the rest of my life and that they will only get more aggressive. For a few months I completely ignored it and carried on with my life, I got diagnosed with another medical condition (ideopathic angio-edema) not related but not pleasant as its something that effects me daily. I then had to have a ACL replacement on my knee, kept me occupied until I had to have 2 months off sick. Having time to research has and hasn't been helpful. I discovered that the average age of diagnosis is 68 with a prognosis of 5 years following diagnosis!! I am 27 and the youngest person in my town/city to be diagnosed and treated for BC. I feel so alone. I have no idea what happens now and what Im supposed to be thinking. How do I know how long to plan for, there is so much i want to be able to do, kids, holidays, travel, work, buy a house ect...

I had a scan today and they found no tumours, I should be over the moon but I've been tearful since, I feel I have no control.

Sorry for ranting but I find it hard to talk to my friends and family because they themselves have their own issues. Is there anyone of a similar age to me that can help, support or maybe guide me a little. I would be ever so grateful.

Flash, AKA Rachael

  • Hi Rachael,

    Firstly welcome to this great forum and secondly thanks for telling us your story. I do hope you don't mind a man replying Rachael. Please you do not have to apologise for the rant, it's far better to get it out into the open amongst people who understand what having cancer is like. Feeling alone is one of the hidden side effects of cancer for just as you say it hard to talk to family and friends in an open and honest manner for often we feel we will only increase the worry they have for us.

    I hope someone with more information will be along to chat to you shortly but anytime you feel the need to talk rant or rage, this is the place to do it for no one will judge you for most of us have had those moments, trust me.

    Please take care, have a good weekend, best wishes, Brian

  • hi there - sorry I am an oldie - you are certainly having a rough time of it - cancer certainly never seems to play fair. I note your comment that the average of bladder cancer  is 65+, but whilst at the moment it may seem like like much consolation it is a medical fact the younger people usually have much greater powers of recovery with all sorts of things. Being young and facing this might turn out to be a positive not a sure fire negative for you. By the time people get to their  60's we have usually got a bit more decrepit than when we were 25 and have not always got the same level of fight, energy, physical resources left in us -


    a sweeping generalisation and one that will be disproved on this website a 1000 times, when you read some of the posts but please don't feel too gloomy. The other thing is that as you get older and at some time in the future might have to face a revisit to the cancer monster, technology weill be moving forward all the time with cures and treatments becoming more and more effective.


    basic houserule for any cancer sufferer past or present seems to be "Don't waste the moment" - maybe we should all  live our lives as if it were our last day, but most of us take it for granted until we are threatened. My man managed somehow to try and live his life right up to the last very few days...even insisting on a big safari holiday! (yes he was 65+) It was this incredible example that keeps me focused now.

    regards sueps

  • Hi Flash,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat.  My husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 26, so I'm around about your age.  I'm sorry I don't know much about bladder cancer but if you have any questions or are just looking for support the forum members including myself will try and support you as best we can.  A cancer diagnosis is such a tough thing to have to deal with - there are so many other issues to think about at our age as well getting married/having a family so I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. 

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.  Take care.xxx

  • Thank you for your kind words Brian.

    Rachael x

  • Hi Sueps,

    Thank you for your response. Living each day is the hard part, even though at present I am free of any tumours, I feel such a lack of control, when will they come again? How bad will it be? Some days I struggle to see a future even though sensibly Im aware there is one. Im hoping i can find my focus son enough.

    Thanks

    Rachael

  • Hiya Rachael

    ,


    You've definitely identified one of the hardest things to cope with when dealing with The Big C - yep it takes away the feeling of control - even sometimes/ often when things are actually going well. I think too, it spreads out to one's family and close friends - they too often start to wonder just when it will be their turn to have to face the monster. I guess no one actually knows what is around the corner, but somehow this special club so many belong to - whether they want to or not have to face the challenge of uncertainty head on.


    This chat room is certainly full of people who have an amazing empathy, kindness and understanding even when they are dealing with their own problems - I am sure if you keep checking in you will find someone who does actually make you feel a little less alone. It is quite incredible how something as horrible as cancer brings out the best in so many people who check in here.


    Whilst , as yet I haven't to directly face cancer myself, a two year struggle trying to hang on to my husband and keep the quality of life as good as it could be for him has certainly given me an insight. We were very unlikely in that he didn't even realise there was a problem until he was at Stage 111 - but we were very lucky that we managed to get nearly two very special years extra.


    Wishing you all the best


    luv sueps

  • Hi  Rachael, I'm new to this forum, but it looks as though you last posted sometime in June. I don't know if I've missed some more recent posts of yours, but I thought I would respond to you anyway. I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with cancer at such a young age. Your life at this point should be full of hope and wonder for your future. Sometimes, life just isn't fair. I too, have recently been diagnosed with bladder cancer and am now receiving treatment that is called BCG. I have only had one treatment so far, but I have 5 more to go. Perhaps by now you may have started treatment; have you? I am much older than you are my dear child and I am not happy that I am faced with this challenge. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Please post and let me know how you are doing.

    Lorraine

  • Hi Rachael, Just read your post,yet again I'm an oldie 70 this year 10 years ago my first symptoms was passing blood in my pee at 3.25am against all surveys I was at the doctors 8 30am had private medical through work.The tumour was out followed by a chemo wash out with in a week. 5yrs later under NHS annual check up found a reoccurrence. last April another reocurrurrence. I look at it this way a tumour anywhere else cannot be viewed or delt with easier than bladder tumours.If the first is caught early they become a nuisance but controllable.Dont keep your experience to yourself tell mates if they get the most common symptoms, blood in your pee only if it is experienced it for a few hours.Seek medical help,for if it occurs a few times over a period of a year the tumour will possibly be in control that could prove fatal. Best wishes Bazza.
  • Hi Rachael

    how you getting on with the cancer.... I'm 27 now and same as you I found out that I have cancer

  • Hi ssstefan.  Welcome to the forum. We're here to help.

    Rachael hasn't posted for 7 years.  Obviously we don't know for certain why someone drops out, but we think that it's usually because their cancer is gone (or at least under control) and they no longer need us.

    In any case, can I suggest that you start a new discussion in the Newly Diagnosed part of the forum, mentioning your age, gender, cancer type, and anything else you care to share.  That will give you the best chance of getting the responses and help you're looking for.