Went to the doctor and mentioned some episodes of blood in my urine after heavy exercise which I had out down to Runners Bladder. Urine Sample followed by CT scan followed by TURBT and biopsy results show T1 tumour. 6-week course of BCG starting in 6 weeks’ time.

Which symptoms have you experienced and how have you dealt with them?

Blood in urine – kidded myself that it was Runners Bladder. Urgency to pee – put it down to getting older and the fact I drink lots of water.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Do lots of research, ask lots of questions, keep positive attitude and don’t be afraid to share your experiences with others. If I can help one other person catch it early by sharing my story then I will have made a positive impact.

Have you reached out to other bladder cancer patients or been part of a bladder cancer support group? 

I have joined many forums around the world and have connected with others on a similar journey in the USA and UK through Twitter searches. I am hungry for tips on how to face this journey and keen to offer support to others in any way I can. I will advocate for men’s health more so than ever before.

After I did a biopsy because a ct scan showed a tumour in my bladder. My urologist gave me the results of a cancer phase T1. It was a shock to me and my family. I didn’t have any symptoms that made me think of bladder cancer. I went to see a gastroenterologist for chronic constipation and by doing a sonogram that’s how he saw my tumour in the bladder.

Therefore I want to bring awareness to African people to check themselves and inform them about bladder cancer. I felt lucky enough to check myself to find out for another bigger problem than my constipation.

Which symptoms have you experienced and how have you dealt with them?

The only symptom was incontinence to hold before rushing to the bathroom, for a little moment and it kept me asking questions about why but the only thing I could think was menopause. I tried not to drink any water so I don’t get any accidents.

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment. How long did it last? Did you experience side effects? 

As I just found out in July, I am at my 4th treatment. So far so good until yesterday’s ones as I felt a lot of pressure as treatment was going inside. I asked the nurse to slow down, and then later in the day, I felt a lot of fatigue, back pain and some bleeding. Also since the second treatment, I developed some rash (eczema) in some parts of my body. After 48 hours it goes away but comeback after every treatment. I also noticed my appetite is bigger. Some quick weight gain around my thighs and breasts.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

I would ask them to keep up their faith and have a positive mindset. To seek help and resources. Since my diagnosis, I only research bladder cancer and how to help myself heal from it. It’s good to communicate about it and get awareness on how to heal and help others heal.

I was mindblown when I found out that I had bladder cancer. I did not know how to react, it was very hard. My family still does not know yet. I’m waiting to finish my studies to find out if it metastasised or not.

When it all started, I had no symptoms, just some little bleeding in the urine, which according to my gynaecologist was due to a benign myoma in the endometrium. Besides that, I had no symptoms at all. I could work normally. The diagnosis came after I decided to change doctor: I went to a urologist because I felt that what my gynaecologist said was not correct. A sign, I put in a tampon for a urine culture and I bled just the same. Tests, ultrasound scans of the urinary system, cystoscopy and CAT scan of the abdomen. It took 1 year to reach the diagnosis which was bladder cancer.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Wait for the best possible treatment.

This stock image is provided for illustration purposes.

Tell us about how you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

My doctor finally referred me to the Urology dept at the local hospital. It took 2 years for the hospital to triage me, but once they did, I was scheduled for a rigid cystoscopy almost immediately. On the day of the scope, my Urologist took me aside to let me know they had found a cancer marker in my cytology test. Two weeks later, I received the news that I had NIBC and they’d be starting me on BCG. I cried for the next 24 hours and then was able to pick myself up and face the truth.

Tell us about your feelings and emotions at the time when you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

I had never done any of the things normally associated with BC (smoking, being around chemicals) and had never heard of BC. My diagnosis shattered my world for a few days, but after I had time to come to terms with my new reality, I set out to discover ways that I could turn my tragedy into something that might benefit others.

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment? 

My first round of BCG was a disaster. I only got through one treatment and had such a bad reaction that I spent 3 days in hospital. My local urology team referred me to a major city hospital for a review with a RC in mind. This news was more shattering than the initial diagnosis and it took me several days to overcome my sense of loss and grief. When I eventually got an appointment with the uro-oncologist, he let me know that RCs were not a preference for patients with NMIBC and that he wanted to re-try BCG at half strength. After another rigid cystoscopy and bladder irrigation, it became apparent that I had a highly overactive bladder. I was referred to a pelvic floor physio who gave me some exercises the relax my bladder and also put me on a restricted diet, eliminating anything that might irritate my bladder. Once I restarted BCG, I was in a much better place and with the help of Endone, Targin and Oxybutynin, I was able to tolerate the full six-week BCG round. I’m not just waiting for things to settle down before the next scope, to tee if the BCG has worked.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Find as many ways as you can to turn your focus onto other people and things outside of yourself, An inward focus turns you into a victim and coping with the pain and anxiety is difficult. An outward focus helps pass the time, keeps you focus off the pain and give you the opportunity to be “in charge” of your situation rather than it being in charge of you.

Have you reached out to other bladder cancer patients or been part of a bladder cancer support group? 

Yes, I’m a member of multiple BC support groups. I share my story with them regularly. I also share my story and journey with many other FB groups not associated with BC, as part of my BC awareness efforts. The groups I am in follow my progress closely and I share everything with them, including the wins, setbacks and pain.

It has been a long journey. I completed my bladder removal in March 2022, and am still recuperating. Getting stronger every day but I’m not rushing myself. I am good with the ostomy bag but am trying to fix a hole in my incision and where a drainage tube was. It has been a struggle but I am doing my best. I also have breast cancer and have to get a new lump checked out. Pray for me.

You have to maintain positivity every single day. You can’t let yourself get down and depressed. Stay strong!

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Get a second opinion and your insurance should cover it. Make sure you know every option available before you have surgery. I postponed it for a month while I got my mind wrapped around it.

It was traumatic at first but when I realized the tumour had to be removed I remained calm and looked forward to surgery and treatment. My wife and daughter helped me cope with bladder cancer.

I never felt any pain or discomfort, then one day I urinated blood and clots. I was in shock, I thought it was something I ate. The bleeding continued throughout the day. The next morning I went to the emergency and they detected a mass in my bladder. Two days later I had a cystoscopy.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

As soon as you notice blood in your urine, head to the emergency, the sooner it is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat.

This stock image is provided for illustration purposes.

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer when I was 38. I had been experiencing urgency and blood in my urine for 10 months. I’m a mum of two young boys and being told I had cancer was devastating.

At the time, I was alone when I was told I had cancer due to covid restrictions. I was unable to have any face to face appointments prior to my diagnosis. I was having a cystoscopy and was told there and then that it was cancer.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Be kind to yourself. Whichever way you feel is ok. None of us knows how we will feel when we are told we have cancer. The support I had from my family and friends kept me going, I will be forever grateful for that.

Had a suspected UI and after a few GP visits (and antibiotics) the problems continued to develop and I was then asked to do tests for STIs, even though I was still showing signs of an infection in the bladder. The pain got worse and I started to develop abdominal and back pain so went to A&E where they suspected I had a kidney stone in my bladder that needed moving. After an ultrasound and a couple of CT scans I was told there was a lump in my bladder and I was being emitted for an operation to remove it. About 10 days after my operation I was given the diagnosis of state 2 non-invasive bladder cancer.

Which symptoms have you experienced and how have you dealt with them?

Physically I struggled to fully hold urine after my operation but am much better now, it took me a few months after the hospital to not pass blood if I held urine in (due to work meetings etc), it took a while for me to be able to sit down for long periods without pain or discomfort when urinating. Mentally, I have really struggled. I’ve found it incredibly difficult to meet people of a similar age who have gone through it, I have felt very low and struggled with feelings of isolation and loneliness due to what happened and that it happened during covid, so I was on my own throughout, etc.

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment? How long did it last? Did you experience side effects? 

Within 4 days of going into A&E I had my op to remove the tumour. I was discharged and then back in A&E 2 hours later in agony due to pain. I was under a lot of stress and it upset my asthma and gastric health. No other additional side effects other than what was mentioned above.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Allow yourself time to acknowledge what’s happening to you, explore how it makes you feel, and allow yourself to have bad days. That asking for help doesn’t make you any less ‘strong’. Normalise bodies too, bladders shouldn’t be embarrassing topics, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed about anything that is or has happened to you.

Have you reached out to other bladder cancer patients or been part of a bladder cancer support group? 

Yes, I go to a bladder cancer group in my nearest city every 3 months. They are great and have been helpful in giving me advice and peer support.

This stock image is provided for illustration purposes.

In July 2021, I had a UTI, and my GP gave me the usual dose of antibiotics; however, I still had pain in my lower tummy and back, plus when I went for a wee. After five sets of antibiotics, my GP finally sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed a polyp in my womb. They also looked at my bladder, but they could not see anything on the ultrasound. This was August 2021, so I went for a failed treatment to get a biopsy from my womb, which was very painful, but it may have saved my life as the tumour in the bladder started to bleed. I was shocked by the blood and back on the phone to the doctors but was told this was the polyp. I told them that it was in my pee. I was booked in for the polyp to be removed under general anaesthetic; however, I was already in A&E before the operation.

I remember it was the 4th of October, and I was bleeding so heavily that I thought something in my bladder had burst. The accident and emergency doctor was excellent, and I guess he did save my life. He sent the sample off, and in 48 hours, my doctor called and referred me to a bladder specialist. He even said, ‘it was a good job you kept on’. I will never forget the 26th of October when I saw the tumour. I had to go alone, and I just cried in the car afterwards. I was in shock. Everything moved very quickly, with CT scans, blood-test etc. And then there was the cancellation of our fantastic holiday after two years to Barbados, again. My TURBT was booked for the 16th of November. I was back in the hospital only a couple of weeks after the polyp was removed. They removed a 2cm tumour, aggressive and ready for a fight. I recovered quickly and felt fine. I got home to see my discharge notes say, ‘Secondary metastasis cancer’. Cancer had not even been mentioned, and I was in shock. I called my doctor the next day, and he told me, “Don’t worry”, but of course, I was worried like hell. I was sure I was going to die! Dr Google told me that! My cancer spread straight away.

On December, my husband and I went to see a nurse; everyone kept telling me that nurses don’t give bad news. But I was told I had muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which had already spread. I cried for two days. All very small but still secondary cancer. Something you can only hope will stay stable. I went from having a polyp to advanced bladder cancer in 1 month. I started my chemo journey in January 2022. My oncologist is fantastic, and I love him; he is so positive even when I am not. After a heart scan, I had my first cycle, and it was hard. The first session was eight hours, followed by a 2-hour session for one cycle a week later. Eight hours of chemo is hard, and I was floored, but I got up every day, showered and sorted myself out. Maybe a few naps. I had my next session in February 2022, so the break lets me feel a bit more human. Everything tasted terrible, I had a bad cough, and my back was hurting, but all that seems to have passed now after some antibiotics, and now my doctor rings me almost weekly. I also got terrible indigestion, which again some miracle tablets sorted out. I must make sure I take the meds on time, and my husband is doing his best with a busy job to cook for me and clean.

I have amazing friends and support with my husband and adult daughter nearby. I have my down days as it is hard for me as a fitness instructor. My last fitness class was in December 2021, and now it takes me a while to walk up the stairs, but I am getting into a pattern of going for a walk every morning and doing some easy Pilates for my back. am scared, but I am a fighter, so watch this space!

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Do not rely on Dr Google – look for credible sources of information (for example a patient organisation).

I was having UTI symptoms when I started seeing blood in my urine I was seeking out doctors and answers. I kept getting told I had a UTI and was given antibiotics. In less than a year I went from symptoms to having a stage 4 tumor removed.

I was misdiagnosed more than once. When I finally got a cancer diagnosis the cancer institute did not want me to start chemo because I didn’t have insurance.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Get as many second opinions as necessary and don’t stop until you are heard. You are your own best advocate

Tell us about how you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

In 2020 I couldn’t get an outpatient CT to rule out kidney stones due to COVID19. I was given antibiotics for possible UTI even though the culture was negative. 2021 I had a recurrence and got a CT scan which found a mass in my left ureter tube and hydronephrosis in my left kidney. I went to see a urologist and had a cystoscopy with a biopsy of the mass. I was diagnosed with high-grade Urothelial Cancer. I was upset that in 2020 I had been refused medical care due to COVID-19 being too dangerous in the meantime, I had a very aggressive form of cancer. I had seen 9 urologists for 25 years, and no one ever said the words bladder cancer. Once I had a diagnosis, I read that all the symptoms I had were potential symptoms of bladder cancer. All my doctors told me not to worry, “some people just have hematuria” I think one of them should have told me to get an annual cystoscopy and CT scan. I do annual mammograms because of my family history, and since I was 40, I would have been diligent if I had known to pursue these tests regularly. For others, I would say if you are having symptoms pursue research, regular testing and if your doctors aren’t concerned, find another doctor.

What life changes have you made since diagnosis? 

I work less. I had 3 jobs and now have 1. Work used to be the priority for me but I recognized I no longer have decades to enjoy life and relationships. I don’t wait to make plans or say “We should do…” I set a date and then do it. I don’t work out like I used to which I miss but I’ve started doing active adventures with friends like hiking, kayaking, and paddle boarding. I tell my friends and family all the time how much I love them and what they mean to me. I started attending church and my faith has become much stronger. I’ve found great comfort in my relationship with God. This is a very lonely disease and with that relationship, I never feel alone.

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment?

My first surgery was to remove the tumour from the Ureter tube and resection it to the bladder. That was pretty easy 2 or 3 weeks of recovery and then surveillance every 3 months. My first cystoscopy found a tumour in my bladder. I did a TURBT and then another one to stage it, and it was stage 2 muscle invasive. I did 3 months of Cisplatin & Gemzar chemo which was very difficult. I lost my hair in 2 weeks. I was nauseous, vomiting, fatigued, metallic taste, etc. If it was a side effect I had it. Also, the cumulative effect was that by the end of it I was down 25 lbs and could barely function but thankfully the recovery from Cisplatin was about 4 weeks. Once I had time to recover, I had a radical cystectomy, a total hysterectomy, and an appendectomy. During the surgery, they found the cancer had been in the lining of my bladder what had looked like a thickening of the bladder wall was actually a tumour. So it was in my pelvic and vaginal walls. I had to have a partial vaginectomy. That was maybe 4 weeks to get to feeling better and then 8 weeks to totally recover. I had opted to have an ileal conduit for urinary diversion, which is much easier to recover from and has fewer complications. It took a few months to get the hang of the urostomy bag and stoma cate but it’s been fine. I do everything I want to do. It is more of a body image issue I struggle with at times. Since the cancer had spread to my uterus and appendix I was stage 4. I started immunotherapy a few months after surgery. It was going well until 3 months in. I got really severe Colitis and had to stop immunotherapy. When they did a CT scan to confirm Colitis it showed metastatic disease in my pelvis and lymphnodes. So once I recovered from Colitis I started a new chemo Padcev. I’ve been on that since December 2022. I had a really bad reaction on the 2nd week of the schedule, so the changed the schedule to every 2 weeks vs weekly. I still get a range of side effects (skin changes, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue are the main ones), but after about 3 or 4 days, I feel okay. My first PET scan was at the end of April for this new chemo and it showed a total response!! I am currently no evidence of disease!! I’ll stay on this chemo long term until I can’t tolerate it or progress but feel so blessed that I had such a positive response after so many previous poor outcomes.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

There is hope, there is treatment and there are cures. Use the resources available at your cancer centre for education, financial assistance, support groups, etc. Read the sites and literature your doctors give you. Steer clear of promises of cures that you can order online. Ask your friends and family for help. People don’t know what to do but want to do something so be specific. I’ve had meal trains, transportation, a house cleaning day, etc. Move!! It is so hard but it helps fatigue and depression. Cry when you feel like it but don’t forget to laugh too. Do things, love your people and let them love you, and find gratitude.

Have you reached out to other bladder cancer patients or been part of a bladder cancer support group? 

Yes, I have reached out to several bladder cancer patients and people with Ostomy and Urostomy that I’ve seen on social media to ask about their experiences. Everyone has been very generous with their time and responding. I’ve not been able to attend support groups because I work full-time and they meet during work hours.

Tell us about the symptoms you have experienced and how you dealt with them?

I experienced a little blood in my urine, and I did notice a strange smell which I now know could have been my body telling me something was wrong, and no other symptoms. My urine and blood tests all came back negative.

Tell us about how you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

I had a CT scan in 2021 and was booked in for a bladder cystoscopy, but when I arrived, I was told they noticed from my scan 2 tumours on my bladder. The Consultant was abrupt and showed me on the screen tumours and said you have Cancer. It was not delivered in a sympathetic way, and I was on my own. The 2 nurses in the room appeared to be shocked, and the younger nurse who walked me out was visibly upset, I think because of how it was delivered to me. I would like to say that since then, the Oncology team have been brilliant.

Tell us about your feelings and emotions at the time when you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

I went into auto pilot, focussing on what are my next steps in terms of removing the Tumours. I kept in constant contact with the Oncology department and made notes of those discussions so I knew exactly what was going to be done to remove the Tumours; this kept me focussed, and I felt a little bit more in control even though it was the Oncologist team doing all the scheduling of treatments. I also did my research and looked at how I could improve on what was an already healthy lifestyle (I ate healthily and exercised regularly). I looked at the foods which are reported to help fight Cancer and incorporated them immediately into my diet whilst eliminating those foods which are not so good. I started making juices with cancer-fighting properties. I joined a local Yoga group which I can honestly say has been an absolute godsend. I increased my meditation time and daily exercise and now have acupuncture once or twice a month to help support my immune and excretory systems. I removed all negative thoughts and focussed on my own health and doing things which uplifted me and helped support my own journey. I limited the number of people I told until I knew exactly what the treatment would be. I did join some online groups but found them to be draining and not inspiring, or at least not for me; they do help many people but are just not suited to my own needs. I am a reflexologist, so I have an open mind about Holistic therapies and believe they can work alongside allopathic (traditional medicine). I have always been a positive person, so my focus was to take each Month a stage at a time and concentrate on my treatment for that Month and taking care of my body and mind. I also listened to Sleep Healing Meditation.

What life changes have you made since diagnosis? 

I incorporate more cruciferous vegetables and juice veg rather than fruits as fruits have much higher sugar content after juicing. I started fasting, which meant I ate around 10 am and had my last meal before 5 pm, this really helped me feel I had some control over my own health and gave me a daily focus. I said no, to things which did not support my health journey, alcohol was one of them (I did not drink much anyway but thought I would remove it for a year following my diagnosis. I eat vegetables mostly with the occasional Organic fish and Chicken (I have never been a red meat eater), so this was easy to avoid. I tried to avoid sugar which is not that easy, but I tried. This may sound a little harsh, but I distanced myself from negative people in my life and only spent time with those who I knew had an uplifting spirit. I continued with my normal life as I was lucky to be semi-retired, so had lots of spare time to focus on my health, I started doing Reflexology on myself to support my bladder and immune system.

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment?

My treatments started in October 2021, removal of two 2cm non-invasive Tumours (TRUBT) non-invasive means they had not penetrated the wall of my bladder (that’s a good thing) and the biopsy all under general aesthetic (stayed in the hospital for 2 nights until I stopped passing blood in my urine and the catheter was removed) I was very tired after the treatment and rested for 2 weeks with gentle exercise (I drank only water and ate healthily) I also had a full CT Scan to see if cancer had metastasised and fortunately it was all clear. They removed the Tumours but the biopsy was inconclusive so I need to wait another 8 weeks for the bladder to heal and then under general aesthetics have another biopsy, this came back after 2 weeks with PT1 Stage 3 cancer (fast-growing which I now know most bladder cancers are) I was then booked in January 2022 to have a course of immunotherapy (every Tuesday for 6 weeks) it is called BCG and is a strain of childhood injection for tuberculosis and is proven to help bladder cancers. The injections were given via the urethra and were painless for me (I drink so much water that I believe this helped). I waited another 10/12 weeks for another bladder cystoscopy (May 2022) which showed 10 very small tumours (the others had not returned) it was a little frightening, but again I kept focussed. I had another TRUBT under general aesthetic but this time, the recovery was very quick and I was out the same day. Also, the tumours were classed as superficial (PTa Grade 3) I waited 8 weeks for the bladder to heal then another round of GBC was booked for June 2022 this time it was only 3 sessions once a week for 3 weeks, making a total of 9 sessions of BCG since being diagnosed. Once again all very painless. Another full CT scan in September 2022 which was all clear. October 2022, another Flexi Cystoscopy showed two very small tumours between 1-2mm in size and once again non-invasive and no sign of previous tumours returning. I waited 10 weeks and was booked in on 13th December 2022 for a Cystoscopy with Laser which is called TULA, this was fantastic, no aesthetic was needed and the laser removed the 2 small tumours with no adverse reactions and the procedure took 10mins (it was amazing) but I know that some health authorities don’t have this Laser. I am not sure if the Laser would work on my initial Tumours but my advice would be to ask your Oncology team if the Laser (TULA) is an option for you. I waited for my bladder to heal and on 14th February I started another 3 sessions of BCG over 3 weeks making a total of 12 sessions since being diagnosed. I waited for my bladder to heal, and on March 28th 2023, I had a Flexi Cystoscopy with Laser (TULA). The laser was not required as my bladder was showing no sign of any tumours, the relief of hearing those words everything is all clear, was made me cry. Even though I had a clear scan they are continuing with BCG and I will need another 9 in slots of 3 sessions over the coming year, and also Flexi Cystoscopy and CT Scans, I see this as positive as I am in the system and being monitored. For the moment, I am all clear, my next Flexi cystoscopy is on Sunday, 18th June 2023 fingers crossed it also shows I am clear. I am feeling really good so I take this as a sign my body is healing. I would also mention that I am not on other medicines of any kind, not even HRT, so for a cancer patient, that is a good thing. Points to note: Don’t be afraid to ask questions to the Oncology team as to the best treatment for you and if Laser would be suitable. Drinking plenty of water really helps, in particular the lead-up and also after, to stop any infections, water is your saviour keep drinking it. You will be asked to provide a urine sample before BCG and Cystoscopy, as they check this before the treatment. I did my sample at home and took it with me as it took a bit of the pressure off trying to do it at the Hospital and I only live 20 mins away I had no adverse reactions after any of my BCG treatments, but some people do (flu-like symptoms and are in bed for a few days or they may get a UTI) Please listen to how your body is and not how others have reacted to the treatment, sometimes we can over think and that places our body in to stress mode and that is not helpful.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Take notes when speaking with the Oncologist team, if you don’t understand the words they use or the process you need to go through then keep asking them to explain. Always ask when you can expect a callback or when your next follow-up is, if they say someone will contact you in 6 weeks make a note of this and if they don’t then chase up and ask. Find out exactly what type of Caner you have and at what stage, the more you understand about this disease the better. Bladder cancer is treatable and people are living 15 / 20 years after BCG, so please keep thinking that you are one of those people. Look at your food intake, and what are the best foods for helping Cancer, keeping active and doing the things you enjoy is key. You may like to join a Facebook group but I found it a little bit depressing as lots of emotions are shared, but we are all different so you may like to try it. I found this site one of the best, reading stories I can relate to in a helpful way.

Have you reached out to other bladder cancer patients or been part of a bladder cancer support group? 

Facebook Bladder Cancer Community – which I did for a little while then dropped off, but I do dip in and out occasionally. I also joined the Macmillan Cancer Support which I found very sad as I was not at this stage so I dropped off it. Your oncologist team may know of groups in your area which could be of some help but I never needed this.

Tell us about how you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

I received my diagnosis after an Ultrascan and a CT Scan with dye. Then I had an appointment with Urologist Consultant who was quite robotic in his delivery. There was a Cancer Nurse present as well. You are left feeling numb, and going from thinking it was Post Menopausal related to Cancer was scary and made me angry that this had not been looked at. I was diagnosed with high-grade non-invasive bladder cancer.

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment?

I was being investigated for post menopausal bleeding for 2/3 years so this diagnosis of Bladder Cancer was quite a shock!

I had 3 tumours removed and then 6 weeks of chemo directly into the bladder. The treatment wasn’t so bad to be honest, you have to keep the chemo in the bladder for one hour then wee it out again. Towards the end of treatment, I did start feeling tired. Side effects for one year after were stinging and a constant urge to wee; it was very uncomfortable. I then had a further scare in 2023 which turned out to be benign, thankfully, and my next check-up is July 2023; keeping it all crossed!

Have you reached out to other bladder cancer patients or been part of a bladder cancer support group? 

I joined a Facebook Group called Fight Bladder Cancer with out their support I would be lost and afraid. You get lots of information provided upon diagnosis in paper form but you cannot beat talking to people going through this.

Tell us about how you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

A mass was noted in my bladder measuring 2cm on my 12-week dating scan during my pregnancy, I had a subsequent cystoscopy where the doctor confirmed the cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, the doctor I saw had an appalling bedside manner and caused me a great deal of distress as I was alone and 19 weeks pregnant at this point. But the cancer nurses present were beyond wonderful.

Tell us about your feelings and emotions at the time when you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

I was terrified… beyond terrified. My first thought was for my unborn baby, would any treatment endanger her? Would I get to see her grow up? How would my husband cope without me? But the cancer nurse with me was so wonderful and after ten minutes with her, I was feeling much more hopeful and relaxed. We were even laughing about how no one could say no to me now I was pregnant and had cancer.

What life changes have you made since diagnosis? 

I don’t take anything for granted and enjoy the small things a lot more now. Just sitting in the garden watching my daughter play, or enjoying time with her and my husband. Just being happy. If I hadn’t been pregnant we’d probably not have found the cancer for a long time, so naturally my daughter gets anything she asks for!

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment?

Due to my pregnancy I was unable to have any medical treatment, so my case was discussed at MDT with the obstetricians and it was decided to remove the tumour by rigid cystoscopy. This was done at 23 weeks pregnant under a spinal so safe for the baby. I was told that treatment after my pregnancy wouldn’t be beneficial for me, so I have annual cystoscopies to check for recurrence.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Cancer is a big and very scary word, no matter the stage or type of your cancer any diagnosis is life-changing. Share your diagnosis with your loved ones, let them know how you’re feeling and accept support where offered and needed. Interact with your nurses, no query or question is silly to them, ask them anything and everything. It’s okay to be scared, but you don’t need to be alone.

Receiving the diagnosis was a very scary experience for me. I had no signs or symptoms of bladder cancer, to begin with. In December 2020, I went to the hospital because of a kidney stone and got diagnosed with bladder cancer, as they found a tumour. The tumour was muscle-invasive at this time, so the doctor started me on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment. After my first round of BCG, they had to remove two more tumours, and I then had a second round of BCG during the summer of 2021. In November 2021, I had a cystoscopy that was clear, and I had some maintenance BCG in February 2022. Just in April of the same year, I had a second clear cystoscopy. I have been in really good health since the diagnosis, nothing has changed there, and I will just keep battling.

I had no signs or symptoms of bladder cancer, so needless to say it caught everyone off-guard. It was also very surprising to get the diagnosis because of no symptoms. The only reason why they found my tumour when they did was because of the CT scan for my kidney stone.

As a family, we all stayed very positive, and I am so grateful for all the support they have given me.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Stay positive, have a good diet, and exercise. That has helped me during my bladder cancer journey.

I was diagnosed at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Not a great time. I went through testing, procedures, and diagnosis alone or via phone. Everything felt extremely unsafe, more than just worrying about Covid as everyone was. Scared but everyone was scared so it wasn’t easy to talk about my troubles. Difficult for my adult daughter as she wasn’t able to come with me.

I was fortunate that I had some blood in my urine. This was post-menopausal so something I thought I should get checked out. I thought that it could be a hormonal issue. I had a pelvic exam, then an ultrasound, then a vaginal ultrasound, then another ultrasound, then sent to a urologist specialist, where I had a CT scan, then MRI, then TURBT, and another CT scan… then I was diagnosed with plasmacytoid bladder cancer which is a rare, aggressive variant. I was transferred to a top urologist surgeon and an oncologist. Started chemotherapy 3 months later (late due to Covid delays in hospitals), which was for 4 months. Then 6 weeks later I had a radical cystectomy, with a urostomy for life.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Talk to others, Who have been through it. I was too isolated. I knew the information but I needed to know more about actually dealing with it. It was harder than I expected. But you do get through it. And it’s okay.

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Suffered for months before diagnosis, doctors kept treating me for bladder infections and did not take my symptoms seriously until I started to demand more tests. I knew something was going on inside my body that needed much more attention than another round of antibiotics. I was a new mom, it was hell. Finally got a diagnosis, and had my first turbt. It came back less than 2 years later. Had my second turbt. Currently in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)treatment.

I experienced constant bladder cancer infections. Debilitating discomfort to the point I was missing time from work, and family gatherings, it was affecting my ability to be present for my child. Way too many rounds of antibiotics. Blood in the urine. By the time I had my surgery (which ended up being an emergency procedure) my urine had so much blood in it you couldn’t see through the cup. It took way too long for a diagnosis because it’s not ‘statistically common’ for a 27 year old female to develop bladder tumors. I was overlooked and dismissed for an unsettling amount of time. Until I started to not take no for an answer and demanded to be taken seriously.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Access the most suitable treatment for you, and also reevaluate your lifestyle and what you eat, your overall diet. It is important to give more consideration into what you put in and around your body.

This stock image is provided for illustration purposes.

Tell us about the symptoms you have experienced and how you dealt with them?

My father experienced symptoms such as blood in urine and urgency to go pee frequently. The symptoms started one year before the bladder cancer diagnosis fell. They were dismissed as UTI by our regular GP. Yet, when they returned a year after, the replacement of our regular GP asked for more tests, this is when stage 4 invasive bladder cancer was diagnosed.

Tell us about your feelings and emotions at the time when you received your bladder cancer diagnosis?

My dad, my hero, was the one with the bladder cancer and he was ready to fight (chemo, surgery, etc…) you name it… He was feeling great and definitely ready to beat this cancer! He had a very positive attitude and was feeling confident with the oncologist’s strategy.

Tell us about your experience with bladder cancer treatment?

My dad received strong chemotherapy starting in October 2013 and had surgery to remove his entire bladder in early 2014. The side effects of chemo were harsh and he lost a lot of weight. The surgery was successful and he was able to live a “normal” life for a few months.

What life changes have you mde since diagnosis? 

After 3 years of treatments, my husband had a radical cystectomy and now six years later, he is living life to the fullest with almost no complications or inconvenience. Having his bladder removed was the best thing for him and he now enjoys a robust quality of life at age 94!

Which symptoms have you experienced and how have you dealt with them?

My husband’s symptoms were a dull pain in the abdomen and blood in the urine.

What advice would you give to others who may be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Ask a lot of questions, exhaust all new therapeutics, especially immunotherapies and new combo therapies, explore and insist on clinical trials, but if it comes to radical cystectomy being the only option, know that it can change your life for the better. Don’t be afraid of it!

Have you reached out to other bladder cancer patients or been part of a bladder cancer support group? 

Yes. The Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute at Johns Hopkins hosts educational and support group programs, and a special support group for women (only) with bladder cancer. The talks are recorded and available on the website. The “Grand Round” talks are presented monthly (save for a break during the summer): bladdercancer@jhmi.edu