It has been a while since I visited here, but since I am trying to make another decision, thought I would call on everyone for their kind opinions/advice.
To update everyone, I finished my 4 rounds of chemo in late August. I was then notified that Dr. Schoenberg, at John Hopkins, wanted to do a Cysview/Cysto with biopsy. (This is the "blue light" cysto). I had this done on Sept. 22 and Dr. Schoenberg called me a week later to tell me the pathology report showed no cancer cells. He said he wanted to check me again in 3 months. In the meantime, I sent the news to my oncologist here in Delaware. While he was happy for me he wanted to know if Dr. Schoenberg had plans for removing the bladder.
To make a long story short, Dr. Schoenberg was under the impression that I was going for the bladder preservation route...more chemo/radiation. Unfortunately, this was apparently a misunderstanding. I will be talking with my oncologist on Monday, since I have not been having any treatments since August. I have asked Dr. Schoenberg about the radiation making a mess of intestines and he stated that as long as I was going to have the outside bag, it wouldn't be a problem surgery wise. My question for my oncologist is why can't I just get more chemo until after the holidays, then I feel I want to go ahead and get this ole bladder out!
Trying my best to keep positive, but don't want to make the wrong decision. Has anyone had the chemo/radiation to preserve the bladder? If so, how did it go?
Thanks so much to all of you who keep me from "freaking out"!