Cancer Survivors Network

I had cystectomy in April. Opted for neo-bladder but my body would not cooperate and the neo-bladder could not be installed. Plan "B" was the Urostomy bag. So far it's been OK. A little annoying but it beats being dead. Suregeon claimed that I can eventually do heavy lifting with the bag and be very close to "normal". My incision will take 6 months to a year to fully heal so I haven't tossed any lumber or rocks around as yet but I am confuident things will work out. May have been for the best becuase an aquaintance has the neo-bladder and he has difficulties self-catherizing which he has had to do more often than they said he would.

You do have a third option: a resorvoir that you simply insert and siphon 3 or four times a day. No stoma no bag. Some find this neat and easy. I didn,t give it much thought at the time, but it maybe a good option. Only advice I have is to think positive no matter which way you go. Good luck.