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Bladder cancer concerns for Mum

Tea6
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Hi,

I don't know where to begin...

My mum had blood in her urine and went to her GP who immediately referred her to the Urology Department at our local hospital for tests.Mum had a cyoscopy (?) and various other tests blood & ultrasound. The consultant adviser her that she had cancer in her bladder. She has an appointment for surgery next week.Everything has happened so fast which I suppose is a good thing, however no one has sat down with her to discuss anything- what type of cancer how big is it, is it in or out of her bladder has it spread  what will happen in the surgery or even kind of procedure or what the treatment is. She is really worried. She also has been given another hospital appointment 5 days after the surgery for 2 CT scans including one for her thorax.

She had a triple heart by pass 3 years ago.

Please can anyone help or even tell me what will happen. I'm out of my mind with worry as Mum is worrying too.

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    Hello Tea6

    I noticed you hadn't yet received a response and just wanted to drop by and say hello. I am so sorry to hear about your mum and I hope the surgery goes well for her next week.

    I thought I'd share with you the detailed information that is on our site on bladder cancer which you can access here. I am sorry to hear communication hasn't been great so far and that you have many unanswered questions it must be really stressful for you and your mum. I hope you can manage to pin someone down and talk to someone and ask all these important questions.

    I hope all goes well for your mum and that the surgery is a success - keep us updated if you can on her progress. And if you have any questions, don't stay in the dark, our nurses are available on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

    Someone with experience of bladder cancer will hopefully be along soon too to share their story with you and answer any questions you may have.

    Best wishes to you and your mum,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi Tea,

    I am so sorry to hear of your mum's diagnosis. It does sound as if communication has been poor between her and her care team. Did she attend her appointment on her own? It is always a good idea for someone to go with her to her appointments, as it is impossible to remember everything that is said in a consultation and, a bit of moral support is always welcome.

    It is also a good idea to write down a list of questions for her consultant, to ensure that you don't forget anything important. I agree with Lucie, it might be worth phoning the consultant's secretary this week and asking if you can speak to someone who can answer her questions, before she goes for surgery. She will need to sign a consent form before surgery, stating that she understands what is happening and why she is having surgery. It is hard to do this when she doesn't know.  I certainly wouldn't be consenting to surgery, before I knew that it was essential.

    I am afraid that I cannot tell you exactly what will happen, as I have breast cancer and know little about bladder cancer. I hope that someone who knows more will come along to talk to you.

    I sincerely hope that her operation goes well.

    Please let us know how she gets on. We are always here for you both.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    This is a terrible thing to be going through, my family we’re going through the same this time last year, after having numerous water infections and being in agony, endless trips to doctors & hospital my mum was told that she had aggressive bladder cancer, she was told full removal of her bladder was the option for her, naturally we were all in shock, the surgery went ahead January last year , everything went well, massive operation and mum was fitted with a stoma, (she’s in her early 70,s) and hated the thought of having a bag on for life, we were told after surgery the cancer had not spread beyond the walls and muscles so no chemo etc would be needed, the cancer had been caught, massive relief, we keep reminding our mum just how lucky she is even after going through an horrendous ordeal, there’s lots to take in but we made sure we asked any questions even trivial ones , keep positive and hope all goes well for your mum x

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    Hi my husband has just had a TURBT and like your mum he's still in the dark so to speak with lack of communication from the NHS.   Was just given printed general brief details of what to expect.  No idea about his cancer, size etc.    It went from blood in urine one day then very quick appointments only to have his operation cancelled twice on him!.  He left hospital yesterday without a doctor speaking to him and nurse said we don't have notes on this ward and you will be called back for an appointment in 3 weeks to get the results.   All seemed a bit poor as it's a worrying time and some info is better than nothing.  

    Not sure if another appointment 5 days after surgery is wise though. Hubby has little control over his bladder today and I've read this can take upto 5 weeks to get back to normal.   Good luck to your mum with her op and hope everything goes well.  X

     

     

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