Hi Chris, how are you on your bladder cancer journey? I feel rather silly coming on here but I am so worried for my brother. He went into A&E yesterday thinking he had some issues with his appendix or possibly kidney stones and is in some pain and now after a CT they have told him there are areas on his bladder that are dark areas or spots or something like that and some inflammation and he also has protein and blood in his urine. I suppose I am here to find out what peoples symptoms were prior to their bladder cancer diagnosis and if my brother could have bladder cancer. He is 42, I am worrying so much.

Hello theonlygc31,

How are you?

My bladder cancer journey has been good, it has had its ups and downs, but more ups than down.

You aren't asking any silly questions, they are all valid. I am sorry to hear about your brother, so my symptoms were blood in my urine, but more blood clots than blood, but everyone is different, I am sure they will do a cystoscopy on him to get a definitive diagnoses.

I am sorry I could be more help, but please keep me updated and I hope your brother gets well very soon. 

If you need a chat then just reach out to me.

Hello theonlygc31,

How are you?

My bladder cancer journey has been good, it has had its ups and downs, but more ups than down.

You aren't asking any silly questions, they are all valid. I am sorry to hear about your brother, so my symptoms were blood in my urine, but more blood clots than blood, but everyone is different, I am sure they will do a cystoscopy on him to get a definitive diagnoses.

I am sorry I could be more help, but please keep me updated and I hope your brother gets well very soon. 

If you need a chat then just reach out to me.

Hey Chris, you are so kind to reply to me. I am so sorry again to hear of your diagnosis but I am very pleased to hear that you’re having more ups and downs with your journey with this. I know my brother doesn’t have a diagnosis of cancer at this present time but you just think the worse, your mind just goes into overdrive and you think what could it be that they have seen on the CT scan?! He is in some discomfort on his lower abdomen near his belly button and they did find blood and protein in his urine. I hope his appointment to see a urologist comes through quickly and I did read a cystoscopy would be carried out. How long ago now were you diagnosed and at what stage were you? On top of all this, my dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer only two weeks ago and we are waiting for his results to see if it’s contained or has spread. I just want to be a good support to them both and I think speaking to people who are on their own journey really helps me, you feel you’re not alone if that makes sense. I will keep you posted about my brother. 

Hello theonlygc, no need to be sorry about my diagnosis, if anything it has made me a better person. As my consultant has said, I will out live my friends as I have regular medical check ups.

My advice, never google anything relating to this or any other illness.

I am sorry to hear about your dad, from my experience it is so much harder for those who have a loved one with cancer than the person with the diagnosis, you feel helpless and wishing you could do something to help.

The NHS is amazing, be it under funded, and cancer treatments have changed for the better since my diagnosis back in 2012

But if you start feeling overwhelmed and need a chat then contact me on here, or speak with the wonderful nurses on here, remember there is no shame if you get overwhelmed and seeking professional help could assist you.