My Pathology Report came back AND.....

Thanks Al!

I'm doing fine now. Got out of the hospital on Saturday afternoon and haven't had a problem (pause to knock wood). The only thing I can think of is that I may have just gulped down my lunch because of all of the excitement and stress at the hospital. Had chinese beef and mushrooms with rice. I'm hoping that is the cause because I can't imagine the idea that this could just be a random willy-nilly thing. I can't just check into the hospital for 3 days every now and then. Be tough keeping a job with something like that happening. Sent my doc an email just to let him know about it. If it winds up as a repeating thing, I may have him go in and redo the ileum connection and see if he can use stitches instead of staples so things don't clog up there in the future. My lesson (at least based on my guess of the cause) is to be careful eating EVEN when things go pear shaped in life.

Mother-in-law is out of intensive care but it looks like feeding tube and trach will stay in a while. UCLA is ready to transfer her elsewhere already which is a surprise to me but I guess they don't do the rehab stuff so we're working on getting in a good place tomorrow. My wife is a nurse (somes in VERY handy) and she's been checking out facilities and speaking with the nurses at different places. It's amazing what's also available on line these days. All the inspection reports and lots of statistics about patient care for many rehab centers, acute care, and long term care centers.

I've been checking out caregiver forums for strokes and found some good ones that my wife, her sisters, and my father-in-law may be able to use.
Just like bladder cancer sites, there are good ones and crappy ones out there so that's why I've been doing research today.

If anyone has found any great caregiver information that is general and not specific to bladder cancer, please send me a private message and I'll give you my email address. Don't want to just post it here because you never know who trolls sites looking for additions to their spam lists.

Mike

Dean

I've been having trouble starting, midstream and finishing since December 9th 2008. I've had 2 TURBs one to remove 45 tumors and 8 weeks later 7 more. As Mike said detrol worked to ease some of the irration but not all. My Uro said it was the cancer. I'm still trying to figure that one out......meanwhile as a friend of mine said "It feels like Chuck Norris kicked me in the you know where". I understand your frustration.

Al

By the way welcome back Mike good to hear you again. Hope everything is well with your mother in law.

Dean,

I would suggest following up with your Uro and asking about the Detrol.
Hope it gets better soon!

Mike

OK, now I am irritated...I am off the Cipro (Thank God!) and I still am having problems. I cant figure it out. I had my TURB/TUIP 30 days ago today and I actually had alittle blood in my urine today (first in 2 weeks) and passed a small clot. It has been clear since this morning. And it still hurts upon urination. Could this be bladder spasms that are causing this pain?

It hasnt gotten any better. I guess it wasnt a UTI to begin with. Have you guys (men) experienced anything like this from your TURB or is it to a point where I should go in and see the Uro to get checked out. I have read on line that bladder spasms are normal and can last 6 months sometimes after TURB and what I read sounds like what I am getting. I have heard of a drug called Detrol - anybody ever been on that and had success?

I am glad my tumor is benign but damn, I am getting tired of the pain, the urgency and all that...

I will appreciate any and all suggestions.


Dean

Thanks for that Pat. Good info. It got better. I only have a day and a half left on Cipro (thank God!). I didnt get physically sick again since I took your advice about drinking alot of water..but the Cipro is absolutely a tough one. It did make me a little sick to my stomach (but not throwing up sick), I get tired really easily, and I also noticed a really nice side effect - it makes me really jumpy and irritable. I mean it took my anxiety to an all new level and I am biting everybody's head off. Nice pill.

But it is working. My symptoms havent totally gone away but I do feel it is better. I really think that I did have an infection, but that wasnt all of it. I think the TUIP really screwed with my prostate and it is taking a long time to heal. I still get pain on urination, but it isnt as bad as it was before. So maybe the combination of Cipro and it just healing is doing the trick. It isnt unbearable like it was before but it still stings alittle. Guess only time is really going to take care of it.

But for those new to Cipro - heed my words - it can really throw you for a loop...be prepared.


Dean

Hi Dean....looks like your in the category of mild to moderate side effects of Cipro. One of the things you need to do with this drug is take it with 8 oz of water and drink lots of water during the day so it doesn't accumulate in your kidneys. You can take it with or without food...but if you toss it up again with the food..I'd alert the doctor and switch to another drug like Keflex. Anyway here's everything you probably didn't want to know about it.........
www.drugs.com/cdi/cipro.html
Pat