My dh just phoned from hospital - bladder cancer diagnosis

[scared1a]

Hi,

I've just had a short conversation with dh who was newly diagnosed with bladder cancer.
I'm so scared for him.
He's 46. We have a young child. He works a physical job.
He said he'll tell me more when he comes home in a bit, but I'm just so anxious.

Has anyone had experience with this? I've read through the NHS page but still not sure what to expect.

I'm so sorry. I have no experience of bladder cancer but I didn't want to read and run. It's good that they have caught it and can put the next steps in place for him.

@GameOfJones thank you

How awful and scary this must be for you all, OP. I don't have any experience, but I didn't want to read and run. The Macmillan forum pages might be helpful: https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bladder-cancer-forum?pifragment-13880=16&pifragment-14527=3&&infinity=ict2~net~gaw~ar~679391152990~kw~~mt~~cmp~G_PS_COM_BND~ag~DSA+2023+COM&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlsy5BhDeARIsABRc6ZsZIIJvMHTO0g-gJb_hTckXAJMdTmeb-mWxDFmDxkjUYI4vrpdNjosaAoz-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I’m sorry to hear that.

I have just watched a TikTok of a man a very similar age telling his story of bladder cancer. He spoke about his treatment and had a good outcome. When he’s ready it may be something he seeks out as so many share their stories online now.

Sending you much love xxx Deep breath, and may everything be manageable and treatable. Wishing you the best.

Was he just told 'bladder cancer ' or given any idea on stage or treatment plan.

Because in the early stages, which most are, it's highly treatable.

Must be a shock to you both . Such a young age . It's OK to be worried and scared . Breathe. And then you have to ask questions about his further treatment and try to just take one day at a time. There are so many great organisations out there with skilled people who understand what you are going through.

My dad had bladder cancer, caught ten years ago at stage 3. He’s still here and he was a lot older than 46. Hope that gives you some comfort x

Hi there, my stepdad had this diagnosis in his late fifties. He had treatment in hospital but no chemo.

He's fine and healthy in his late seventies now, he has annual check ups and they zap away anything suspicious. His bladder is still intact and he has no ongoing issues with peeing or anything. He regularly cycles twenty miles for enjoyment.

Random additional fact, my stepdad had a bit of exposure to radiation in his early career as a scientist. He can't prove a link but thinks it's likely connected.

Hope your DP is OK, all the best to you both.

Deep breaths OP. My friend had this at 40 and was fully cured with surgery.

Hopefully next steps will quickly establish a treatment plan

I also didn't want to read and run. I am sending unMumsnetty hugs

Hi OP. My dad had a diagnosis of bladder and prostate cancer 8yrs ago.

He had a few weeks of radiotherapy and that was it, done. No reoccurence of the cancer since then.

Although I will say that he had to have an operation to adjust the size of his urethra as the radiotherapy affected this.

Otherwise he is fighting fit and nearly 80.

I'm so sorry to hear this, it's a terrible shock for you both.

Was he expecting to get results today?

I received a shock diagnosis recently after a scan - the next stage was to do further scans to check and see whether it was just contained to the initial tumour/area. Then a meeting with the medical team to discuss treatnent options/plans.

I found it helpful to stay away from google until I understood more about my particular situation. It's so easy to get terrified by reading things that may not be relevant to you. Macmillan does have some excellent resources when you feel ready to read more.

Reaching out to friends and family straight away was also very beneficial as they have been so incredibly supportive.

Sending you so much support and love right now

Best of luck OP. As I understand it, it’s very treatable.

So sorry to hear this news. However if they catch it early enough there is a very good success rate. My dad is now cancer free after surgery. Sending hugs 🫂 💐 🙏 ❤️

Oh BTW op, I had gynae surgery in the summer and the absolutely worst thing I did was Joining a FB group for others with the condition, I quickly left the group.

Everyone's health experience is different, we all are given different advice and so one consultant might say one thing and another consultant will have a different view.

In my opinion keep your own counsel and just deal with the facts you are given. Support groups are anxiety inducing!

My FIL was diagnosed with bladder cancer 7 years ago. His consultant said at the time "If you are going to get cancer, this is the best one to get". Caught fairly early. A few procedures and BCG treatments (which made him feel a bit fluey for a few days).

He's now in his early 80s. Bladder in tact, no sign of anything suspicious, yearly checks.

I will be keeping everything crossed for you both @scared1a

Just sending you a virtual hand squeeze OP, you're in shock. Don't go Googling, just wait to speak with your DH.

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer last year.
A scan of my ovaries showed growths in my bladder. At that point, no cancer diagnosis because there was a small chance they were benign.

An op to remove them as a day patient.

They were sent for biopsy, and I got the cancer diagnosis at a follow-up cobsultation a few weeks later.

What followed after that was minor stuff for me - 6 weeks of chemo sessions, one per week, then follow-up cystoscopies every 6 months to check for recurrence.

That's where I'm at. My tumours were very early stage. I hope your DH is equally lucky to have caught it early.

I hope this helps! I really feel for you with small children because that must be very scary ( mine are grown).

My DH had this seven years ago at age 70. His was at the nastier end - stage 3 and muscle invasive. He had a couple of rounds of chemo to shrink the tumours and then surgery - they got the lot with no spread to the lymph nodes and he is as fit as a fiddle and out on his bike every day. He recovered really quickly. At the early stages I think they just scrape it out every now and then. If your DH has to have surgery, he needs to be eating, walking an pooping before they let him out. I spent a lot of time at the hospital encouraging my DH in this and he was out in four days. Good luck OP.

No experience but just want to wish you well and hope they caught it early.

Sorry to hear this. I used to work in the Urology dept at a major London hospital, the majority of the male patients had BC (I'm talking 40 years ago). The majority of them came along as a day case every few months to have treatment to remove the regrowth, and they went on for years and years. It is usually one of the easiest cancers to treat, and of course things will have improved massively since I was there, so the outlook for your DH is hopeful 💐.

Completely understand your shock/worry - but try not to panic. Obviously any cancer is a scary diagnosis, but I know two men who have had bladder cancer and both now have the all-clear after treatment. Your DH's doctors will of course be able to tell you both more once they've taken a closer look and decided on a course of action, but a high proportion of men who get bladder cancer have a really good outcome after treatment.

A relative of my DH had bladder cancer. It can be very treatable. She lived 20 years after her diagnosis and treatment (I think it was radiotherapy for her) and died at a very ripe old age - of old age.

I found it helpful to stay away from google until I understood more about my particular situation. It's so easy to get terrified by reading things that may not be relevant to you. Macmillan does have some excellent resources when you feel ready to read more

This is very true. Either stick to something like CRUK or Macmillan, or the relevant charities for the cancer type, like Action Bladder Cancer UK in this case.