Just Starting the journey

Hello Gray & Dot
If you don’t mind I’ll call you “Gray” because we have another Doug. I’m older than you and confuse easily! lol

Don’t worry about what diversion you need to get. There are experienced folks here who have knowledge of all of them and will advise you as needed. Mine is external.

It is important to understand what your doc is talking about. He might have flyers or brochures which he can mark areas for your attention. It is your body so it’s important that you understand what’s going on. Keep asking questions. Then if you’re still foggy about something more we all have experience that can be helpful. I found it helpful to take notes for doc visits.

OK, buddy, deep breath. You are among friends here. Everything will be all right.

Hi, Doug, Love Pat's suggestion of having Dot stay in the peds ward while you are in the hospital. Bet the children would love her as well. But, maybe you have a good friend who might keep her for you? I know how stressful all of this is and having the concerns for Dot makes it worse. We were fortunate when Jim had his RC/IC that our daughter who lives 8 hrs from us was able to meet us halfway and keep Lance the Wonder Whippet for us until Jim was home a day from the hospital. It did relieve us of a lot of worries for him. He too is very bonded to us and it does concern we who are dog lovers.

As far as what help you may need when you get home. Your surgeon should set you up with the home health caregiver of the level you would need. Many say they didn't need help but since you live alone it is important to have the help you need. Between the hospital social worker (they are the ones who usually assess needs of patients returning home) and the doctor you should be okay. We are all eagerly awaiting what you find out today. And know that we are here for you.

Give Dot a pat for me!

Hi Gray....hmmm this paper which is difficult to read but is a really good reason to get a second opinion from a top bladder cancer urologist and you do have one at the U of Chicago..Dr. Gary Steinberg....here's the paper
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11996105
you really need exceptional pathologists to deal with this.
Dr. Steinbergs contact sheet
www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/gary-steinberg.html
If you're closer to Indiana one of the top bladder cancer places is at the U of Indiana Simon Cancer Center. They are tops.
Dr. Koch quite the innovator.
www.iupui.edu/~urology/koch.html
Wishing you the best and maybe Dot can play in the pediatric ward during your surgery?
pat
P.S. you'll have to copy and paste the complet URL on Dr. Koch as it did not take..........pat

Thanks for the kind word's about Dot . She saved my life when I lost my wife to ovarian cancer .About a year ago she got leptosurosis (spelling) we still dont know how as she is with me or in my fenced yard,everyone gave up on her surviving even the University of Illinois Vet school.I brought her home from there with 2 prednison pilss and was told nuthin more could be done . My avitar picture is the day before she was to be put down,the next morning I got her to eat some boiled chicken from my hand ,its now a year latter and she is still with me ,not as strong as she once was,cant climb stairs,chase squirls,and generaly get into mischeif,but happy ,pain free,and still sleeping next to me each nite.My vet says if she hadnt had me she would have been gone a long time ago. Seems only fair she saved me and I could do no less than same for her.She is one of my main concerns ,I was at the vets yesterday and asked him if/ when I get the surgery did he think she would survive even in his kennel and care , he looked down and replied no,she wouldnt without me. She gets meds twice a day ,and my care and attention always and amaze's everyone how well she does. In all honesty Im more concerned for her than myself. I go to the Doc Fri to finialy see what all the results are and options .I just dont know what Im going to do,as I said in previous posts I live alone with Dot and havent a clue what kind of help Im going to need at first or how long before Im able to do much for myself.So untill Fri Im just doing what I can and lovin my little Dog she will be ten years old the 11th of this month....