Bladder removal (female)

mw4pratt
mw4pratt Member Posts: 1
in Bladder Cancer #1
I'm facing a decision about bladder removal and would like to hear from any other women who hve gon through this. I'm wondering if there is an alternative and if not, what is life like after removal? Any experiences would be helpful.

Comments

  • wilsel
    wilsel Member Posts: 38
    #2
    From a man's point of view
    I am a man and had my bladder removed in June of last year, 2010. It completely stopped all of the pain I was experiencing and also has given me a chance to live longer since my cancer was staged at 3a and the tumor was very aggressive. I think those are the kind of things you have to think about when making your decision. I now have a urostomy which really isn't all that bad. My 'bag' and I made friends right away and i am glad I decided to have it done.

    I would just suggest if you do decide to have it removed, you do it at a teaching university hospital which is experienced in urological operations of this nature. I myself had mine removed at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh, and all went very well.

    I know I'm not a female as you were hoping for, but I thought I would try to encourage you just the same. I wish you well. Any more questions I may be able to help you with, don't hesitate to call upon me. C U.....Bill
  • chast081610
    chast081610 Member Posts: 3
    #3
    there is an alternative
    I too am a male but I had the same demon to confront as you do. In August 2010 I had a my bladder removed and replaced with a neobladder. If you qualify your bladder is replaced with your own tissue and before very long, you are nearly normal. Please look into it as it has been a miracle for me. Mine was done at SUNY Stoneybrook in NY.
  • bebadol
    bebadol Member Posts: 3
    #4
    chast081610 said:

    there is an alternative
    I too am a male but I had the same demon to confront as you do. In August 2010 I had a my bladder removed and replaced with a neobladder. If you qualify your bladder is replaced with your own tissue and before very long, you are nearly normal. Please look into it as it has been a miracle for me. Mine was done at SUNY Stoneybrook in NY.

    Neobladder
    I'm glad you're doing so well, chast081610. I'm a female, 74 years old and had surgery at Mayo Clinic, MN, on March 2009. The bladder was removed and replaced with a neobladder made out a piece of my own intestine. I had stage II. I need to cath at least 4 times a day because, most of the time, I'm not able to void on my own. I drink plenty of water, at least 80 onces a day or more. I would like to hear more about what you experience. I do have some spasm here and there especially when is time to empty the bladder. I do have quite a bit of mucus and they tell me it's normal because the bladder is made out of intestine and that is how it behave. So far, I'm clear of cancer. My last check out was in feb. 2011.
  • bebadol
    bebadol Member Posts: 3
    #5
    neobladder
    Hi mw4pratt. I've just joined this site and saw your commer from February. I hope you've had your surgery and it was succesfully done. I had my bladder removed in March 2009 and now I have a neobladder. I'm a female, 74, and doing very well. The only drawback is that I cannot void normally and have to cath at least 4 times a day. But that is nothing when you are cancer free. Please, let me know how you are doing, best luck.

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