Hello again,
My husband had his bladder, ureter, and prostate removed shortly after I first posted two years ago. All of his check-ups have been excellent, with no signs that the cancer has returned. Since the surgery he has had problems with debilitating chills and he had a hernia with the intestines poking out by his stoma, otherwise his recovery has been good.
About three weeks ago he got infected with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (damned ticks!), which was quickly and effectively treated with antibiotics. Shortly after he was done with the medication, he started having pain in his hips and back, and this morning he vomited after two bites of breakfast. We figured that the RMSF was back, so he went to his family practitioner for help. Blood tests found no evidence of infection, so they did a CT scan which showed enlarged lymph nodes in his torso. The MD thinks that this might be evidence that the bladder cancer metasticized. I am hoping that they are enlarged due to the infection even though it is completely gone. His MD is going to consult with Dr. Chang at Vanderbilt, but she feels pretty sure that it is time to see an oncologist.
I assume that chemotherapy is what happens next, if indeed the cancer has returned. Any words of wisdom about chemo and what to expect?