41 yr old female, newly diagnosed

7 years 11 months ago #50960 by karenp
Replied by karenp on topic 41 yr old female, newly diagnosed
Hi Diane-

We told them about the surgery but waited for the pathology report to tell them the diagnosis and treatment plan. Truthfully I delayed telling them until about a week after the pathology because I just couldn't get the words out. I told them separately, oldest first. They had some questions and got quiet. We've had a couple of short follow up conversations too. I can tell they are worried but I'm keeping it as normal as possible and saving the freaking out for my own head.

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7 years 11 months ago #50956 by blurg703
Replied by blurg703 on topic 41 yr old female, newly diagnosed
I can't add anything from a clinical sense. But I wanted to share that I can 100% sympathize with the emotional aspect of this diagnosis. My husband is 41 and was just diagnosed with bladder cancer. Our kids are 8 and 11. We are doing our best to handle the medical side of things, but as a 41 year old, this is very outside the comfort zone of many of our friends, and even our family. For you, without those people nearby, it must be very difficult.

It is comforting to find this online community and realize that you are definitely not alone. I feel that way too. I hope for the best for you.

Just curious what you have told your kids at this point?

Diane

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7 years 11 months ago #50944 by Moonerj
Replied by Moonerj on topic 41 yr old female, newly diagnosed
Hi Karen

Yes I now have annual cystos and still get nervous.(lol)
Hopefully the BCG treatments keep you all clear as it has for so many.
If you have any questions about your upcoming BCG treatments there are several on this forum that will be happy to share their personal experiences.
All the best,
Jack

TA Grade 1
3 Turbts
30 BCG Treatments
Cancer Free since Nov 2007

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7 years 11 months ago #50943 by karenp
Replied by karenp on topic 41 yr old female, newly diagnosed
Thank you Jack. BCG= Bladder Cancer Gone is something I can get behind! Thank you for your encouragement. Seeing you are nearly 10 yrs free of bladder cancer is very comforting. Do you have cystoscopies annually now or more/less frequent? I am curious. I was so nervous before my first- I was a real newbie- never had a scope of surgery in my life but when I think of what my Mom went through with multiple surgeries, mastectomy, IV chemo and radiation, I feel lucky in a way that this treatment seems less invasive.

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7 years 11 months ago #50942 by karenp
Replied by karenp on topic 41 yr old female, newly diagnosed
Thank you Cynthia. The relocation is tough on a young family. We have also lived in NC, OH, IN but I was born in raised in NY. He is from CA. We hoped this would be our last move until the kids got out of school. I have joked with my husband that when he was interviewing here and we were evaluating the hospital and area for our family I never considered the hospital as a "customer" at all, only as an employer for him. Needless to say I'll be at frequent flyer status at the hospital in no time with all of the treatments and checks on the horizon.

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7 years 11 months ago #50941 by Moonerj
Replied by Moonerj on topic 41 yr old female, newly diagnosed
Hi Karen

Sorry you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. You will find the survivors in this group to be very helpful and can assist you on this journey. As Cynthia has stated NMIBC can be treated and has a very high success rate. I was diagnosed in 2005, had a few early small tumor recurrences, several BCG treatments 2006-2009, I have been all clear since 2007.
This group got me through all my treatments, answered all my questions, and several of the members here have become life long friends.
I wish you all the best going forward,
BCG = Bladder Cancer Gone
Jack

TA Grade 1
3 Turbts
30 BCG Treatments
Cancer Free since Nov 2007

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