Invasive Cancer of the Bladder (In the Bladder Wall)

Daddys Girl 561

I'm 22 years old, and I'm not ready to say goodbye to my father...
He's been diagnosed with invasive cancer of the bladder, after having a tumor removed from his bladder about the size of a lemon... His current doctor will not perform the surgery needed (removing the bladder and making a new one out of his large intestines).
Any thoughts on funding/financial aid for this? I don't know the first thing about cancer. My father is not technilogically inclined, so I've decided to gather the research and grab the answers. Any help/suggestions/feedback/or anything is greatly appreciated.

gwtwfool

Invasive Bladder Cancer...getting help for loved one
Hi Daddy' Girl. What state do you live in? My mother has the same thing...just diagnosed in March. She was also told no surgery; she is too frail and cancer is just too far advanced. I have gotten her help from a few different sources. She lives in CA and is on Medicare. Visiting Nurses Assoc. comes out twice a week to change dressing on kidney tube. Personal care (helping to bathe, changes sheets, etc.) lady comes out once a week. I also have a call into In Home Services for elderly through the county and am waiting to hear how many hours they will allow for personal services...they supposedly will take to dr. appointments, cook, and help in personal care. It is covered on MediCal and is free. I have also spoken to Hospice.

Dsuzuki

Hugs to you and I will be praying for mom. May you have strength and guidance during this difficult journey. Contact me anytime. I lived in CA for a time. Beautiful state to visit. Diana

barehead

DG, sorry that you and your Dad have to deal with this. But thanks for stepping up.

First, visit BCAN.org for the best curated medical info on bladder cancer for patients and caregivers. They also have a hotline for patients and caregivers.

Second, it is critical to obtain the pathology report from the surgery. It should contain the stage and grade of the tumor, which determines the treatment plan. Depending on the stage, surgery may not be part of the protocol.

Third, there are organizations which can assist with the financial burden of cancer treatment. The Am. Cancer Society and BCAN should be able to point you to some.

If at all possible, see out the assistance of a NCI hospital. You can look these up online. They are experts at dealing with all types of cancers, and are actively involved in treatment, research, and clinical trials for cancer.

Hope this helps.

michaelcarlos

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/194750/invasive-cancer-of-the-bladder-in-the-bladder-wall

I'm truly sorry that you're facing this tough time, and it's evident that you're doing all you can to care for your father. To begin with, you should be aware that there are different means of financial aid and compensation for medical procedures, particularly for cancer. Some hospitals have patient assistance programs, so it's worth contacting the hospital where your father is being treated directly to inquire about financial assistance, discounts, or payment plans. Nonprofit groups such as the American Cancer Society and CancerCare provide financial assistance for cancer treatment, including help with travel expenses, medications, and in some cases, treatment expenses. Also, there are websites such as GoFundMe through which you can create a campaign to collect funds from family members, friends, and even strangers who might wish to contribute. Another option would be to check for government help programs, such as Medicaid, or insurance benefits if your father is eligible for further coverage. Lastly, if the surgery your father needs is unavailable with his current doctor, it may be worth getting a second opinion from a different specialist, as different hospitals or doctors may have different approaches to treatment. You’re doing an incredible job by researching and advocating for him—don’t hesitate to keep asking questions and seeking help from both medical professionals and support groups.