Your dad was probably high grade but low stage. They start with either BCG or gemcidabine as an
Intravesical immunotherapy/chemotherapy. If it doesn’t work, they move to bladder removal.
How old is your dad now? Infections seem pretty common as do kidney issues as not having the bladder can stress the kidneys too. I’m glad he’s mostly doing well! That’s all any of us can hope for.
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He’s going to be 77 in September.
He’s in pretty good shape other than the UTIs. They have been more aggressively treating the UTIs recently, including stents that run from his kidneys to the stoma, though those have come with their own issues.
My mom has her own issues that make managing my dad’s medical issues fall on me, so I’ve become quite knowledgeable other than the original chemo, as that happened back when he still insisted on hiding all his medical issues from the kids.
You’re welcome to reach out via DM if you’d like while you’re going through this - sometimes you just need a outside person who understands it but isn’t right in the middle of all of it.
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let him do what he feels he can handle. Everybody is different.
I had colon cancer 3 years ago and sailed through chemo with relative ease (great Onco team!)
However, the effects are cumulative. It might change what he can handle. he needs to communicate every side effect to the team.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for you both. Don’t forget to take care of yourself!
I miss those great chemo naps, the neuropathy and random ‘Flu chills’ I could happily do without.
I am here and kicking though.
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Yeah I totally get it. My husband, however, is someone is always tries to do too much and wears himself out. He is a doer and a pleaser. His company was recently purchased too and I’m sure he’s wanting to be a team player. My job is to take care of him and his job is to beat cancer.
He started his last cycle today and will be finishing chemo next week in the 27th!
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If he overdoes it once I guarantee you, he won’t do it twice. My husband had to learn the hard way too.
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My husband has officially complete all 8 chemotherapy treatments (4 cycles)! It’s a small win in this battle. His bladder removal is scheduled for September 30th.
Special shout out to a dear fellow CotH member who had become a friend. Thank you @RJC for words of strength, support and comfort while battling your own war with your husbands cancer too. It’s been incredibly special to have the support of you and all fellow members! 
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Awww, thanks, Steph! The mutual support has been wonderful.
And finishing chemo isn’t a small win! Dean and you both did great and it’s a big win to finish strong and be able to enjoy the recovery time between now and surgery. Plan some fun stuff and live it up!
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Hooray!!! Please keep us updated!!
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I will for sure 
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AGREED!!! So glad he seems to have knocked that out of the way with some juice to spare. We’re all still in your corner here if you need us!
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A few years ago in 2014, my Mom who lived with me had a problem in connection with back surgery where her heart was irreparably damaged. They gave her 1 to 5 years to live. She lived 6 years. She was the rock of our family and a best friend to all of us. What we did is we made sure that she got to do all the things she loved during the time she had left. We went to the opera and rented a house at Lake George twice. We went to hear jazz, we took her out to dinner. Anything we could do to make her life happier. After six years, she died at home with all of us around her holding her hand. It is really hard to lose a loved one on whom so much of our happiness depends. After she died I volunteered at the church next door, fixing things, and I got a German Shepherd puppy and joined a dog training group. I still ride my horses who are both older now. You need to make the most of the time you have left together and then you need to get involved in activities that bring joy to your life and always remember the love you and he share. That will stay with you forever. Our loved ones who have passed are just behind “the curtain” watching over us. They want us to continue and find happiness wherever we can.
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PET scan today. It’s nerve wracking.
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Thinking about you and your DH today.
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Thinking of you…yes, they truly are.
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Well, it seems the chemo worked! There is no metastatic disease and the bladder wall thickening is essentially resolved. We still meet with oncology next week and hubby has 3 hour pre op appointment on Thursday. It looks like we should be good to go for surgery and not need to abort our treatment plan. Thank the Lord!!!
We may have had a shot to toast while still “working” 
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That is SO fantastic! 
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That’s great news! So happy to hear this.
Rebecca
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That’s wonderful news.
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Very good news!
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