Needing information for my DAD -- New Here

Lisa,

It sure sounds (based solely on your post) that he may have been severely under-diagnosed back when they decided to do the RC. The answers to Pat's questions would give an indication to that although I don't know that the answer helps anything in his current situation.

Based on the extent of the spread, it is not good news at all. I'd suggest the best thing is to get to the top bladder cancer place in the country. Once you say where he is located, Pat knows all the best docs in the country.

Your question is a good one and a very hard one. Only a top bladder cancer doctor can really answer it though (in my opinion). It is a question of what treatment, if any, is going to be worth it in terms of his quality of life and if it will really help him. It could be that it is or it could be that palliative care is now the best plan.

My thoughts are with you and your family. This is a really tough situation and I just don't know the right answer. I think there may not be a right answer. Maybe its just going to come down to what's the best answer. I would suggest being VERY direct with the doctor on your question though. Some may just keep treating and treating because they think that's what he wants. He may not want that.

Mike

Oh Lisa,
This is kind of a worse case scenario. I'm so sorry. Did your father have CT scans, blood work, chest x-rays, bone scan prior to cystectomy? What was the pathology on the bladder after it was taken out? All this information is yours..you need just ask for the operational report and post pathology report.
40lbs a lot to lose though its not unusual to lose quite a bit of weight after this surgery and much of it is associated with how thin or how heavy you were prior to the surgery.
Are you with a major cancer institution? Where are you located ..perhaps we can better advise you on a top oncologist at this point if you're near a major center.
pat

My dad had t2 invasive bladder cancer and had his bladder removed in December. He has been very weak and has lost almost 40 pounds.
His kidneys have been blocking for almost a month and they did surgery on both sides with tubes today to remove the blockages.
My dads cancer has also moved to lymph nodes, abdimon, blood stream and kidneys. The oncologist will be visting within the next few days to discuss chemotherapy and then they will discuss dialisys after that. Has anyone experienced similiar situations.
The doctors are not saying much. We dont if my dad is strong enough to take Chemo. Will the chemo slow down the spreading or can it actually go away. They did say that he can not have radiation. He has bags in from the bladder, now from his back and we do not know what the future will be. We are concerned for his quality of life and need to know when is enough. Any help, suggestions, similar experiences would be greatly apprciated.
My dad is 71 years old.
thank you