Cancerversary

It’s my cancerversary on 13 January – it’s been five years now “fighting” non-invasive bladdercancer with the help of a team of experts and loved ones – it can’t be done without either!

It’s been 10 operations – so called transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) it means they operate through the urethra – (where the pee comes out).

It’s been 10 nerve racking waits for results (usually 3 days as the hospital has a lab except 2020 when it was 10 days). It’s been 10 catheters after the operations from 3 to 7 days depending.

It’s been 2 bladder perforations – this always means that the catheter stays in longer.

It’s been one ureter stent because a tumour was too close to the opening – that stayed in for 8 weeks.

It’s been 17 cystocopies 12 “all clear” or no evidence of disease (NED) and 5 with tumours visible on the tv screen.

It’s been 42 Mitomycin C bladder instillations over three and a half years.

It’s been 7 EMDA Mitomycin C bladder instillations in 2020 (6 monthly ones to come at least).

It’s been 2 urographies, an MRI and CT scan to examine the kidneys and the ureter, all all clear.

It’s been countless examinations, blood tests and doctors’ appointments and many, many hours waiting.

It’s been some heart wrenching phone calls and conversations with loved ones.

It’s been countless deep hugs of support both real and virtual.

It’s been some amazing messages, cards, calls, flowers, visits and smiles.

It’s been many many deep breaths and will take many many more.

It’s not only cancer we’ve been fighting I’ve also been fighting with myself. Fighting to accept the fact that this kind of cancer returns yet being active and taking action to do as much as I can to prevent it returning. A delicate balance I’m still struggling with.

Deep breaths….I’ll keep you posted.

Updated 15 January 2021

I’ll be keeping the faith and continuing with EMDA Mitomycin instillations every month for 6 at least and 3 monthly check ups.