Full of Anxiety....Trying to Stay Positive

My how time flys! Well I am now an official "little bag lady"! Bladder removed by Dr. Schoenberg at John Hopkins on Jan. 9th. Had a little longer stay than anticipated as bowels did not want to cooperate!
I am back doing my bookwork at home, walking, etc. and trying desparately to regain the pounds I lost. I feel good and some days don't even take a little nap! *lol*

Unfortunately, I had a few nasty lymph nodes and will be starting chemo (MVAC) the first part of March. Am a little nervous about this chemo. The chemo I had prior to RC was Cisplatin/Gemzar and I tolerated that pretty good! Anyone out there who had to have chemo after RC? Would really appreciate hearing from you!

Sending hugs and prayers to all!

Hi Jean. Sorry to hear about the mets to the liver and will keep you in my prayers that the chemo does its job.

I am hoping Cynthia sees my post as I know she is very knowledgeable and very helpful to so many here. My 4 rounds of chemo (Gemzar/Cisplatin) weren't too bad, but I know absolutely nothing about radiation, with the exception that I have read it can do a lot of damage to intestines, etc.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post!
Diana

Give a shout out to Cynthia. She had the chemo and radiation before she finally had to have bladder removal and had to go to Chicago to one of the only DR's that does the pouch I talked to her befoe my surgery and she helped me so much and I finally decided on the operation.
I now have mets to my liver so I am having chemo. Big surprise after nearly 5 years clear. Don't know about radiation but chemo isn't a cake walk.
Good luck.
Blessings....Jean

Hi Mike and thank you for posting. I feel good about Dr. Schoenberg and he will definitely do my surgery. He did say that if I were going for neobladder or Indiana Pouch, having radiation would definitely make the surgery difficult.

Guess I am just rambling this evening to get things off my mind. I am sure I will feel better after discussing this with my oncologist on Monday.

Thanks again!

Hi Lilbit! Yes, it has been a while.

I haven't done the chemo radiation thing but if you have Schoenberg, you are certainly in capable hands.

My surgeon did say radiation made a mess of things but it certainly could be that he was talking about trying to reconstruct a bladder.

Can't help with your decision but wanted to say hi! Welcome back and hope everything goes well!

Mike

Hi there Motomike! Good to hear from you and hope you are doing well!
I really thought that after my chemo, I would get a surgery date, but as you know from my post, that didn't happen. I really don't want radiation, but if I can do more chemo until after the holidays, then I will have the surgery. Not sure if it is wise to not do anything until the first of the year, but sure hate to ruin everyone's Christmas with me going for the surgery now.

Thanks for remembering me!!!!