Hello everyone,
My stepfather who raised me since I was 15, and who I am very close with (I do call him my father, he is amazing!), was having some urinary issues and they decided to do a scope to check his prostate. The urologist said when he went in to his bladder he did not expect to see what he found. There was a tumor that took up about 75% of the bladder. They took what they could out and on Monday he got his catheter out, and Wednesday (yesterday) met with the doctor. They stated it was in fact bladder cancer and they said there is lymph node involvement. My question is how would they know this? Do blood tests explain that? He is going for a CT scan on Monday to check to see if it has spread beyond that. He has lost about 20 lbs without trying in the past 2 weeks and he also had a CT scan a few weeks ago and there was a spot on his lungs. I do not know if these are related. I truly hope not, but deep down I just feel something isn't good.
He was a smoker until he met my mother 15 years ago, and I do know smoking can cause Bladder Cancer. I am worried. I cried. I worry about my mother too. He is her lifeline and they love each other very much. I will be devastated if something happens.
His papers he received from the doctor just say stage I, but if there is lymph node involvement isn't that stage IV already? I am confused. He also got more blood work yesterday.
Thanks in advance!
Nicole