Just thought I'd throw this up on here, seeing cancer has sadly been experienced by many [cloud9] in recent times.

Cutting to the chase, we found out last Friday that my 67 year old mother has T3 stage bladder cancer. Having had surgery twice to try and remove it unsuccessfully, her doctor now suggests removing the bladder as the only option. Now obviously this is a major enough operation as it is, but coupled with the fact my mother has multiple sclerosis for the best part of 40 years, and has been in a wheelchair for the last 20, we went as a family to the hospital yesterday, and they give her chances of surviving the op and rehabilitation period as low as 1 in 2.

A week ago we thought the Friday appointment would be an all clear. Now she is faced with a 50/50 op in less than 2 weeks time.

As a family, we are remaining positive for her. My children have already lost one grandma to cancer, and where she had no option to have surgery to cure it. My mother has a chance, and we believe she's got to try that option. I've seen what cancer can do first hand to loved ones and would rather any other way but that for her.

Sorry to ramble, just had to throw this on here, I'm sure many of you have experience and advice that we may not have considered.

Sorry to hear this mate

I can only start what i'm sure will be a flood of wellwishing comments hoping that your mother will get through it and make a storming recovery.

Sorry to hear your sad news mate.

All the best to you and your family.

For sure - faced with that option, I'd take the op.

Sorry that she's faced with this tough decision. Good luck with it all. My thoughts are with you

That is sad news for sure Dan. Best wishes and good luck to your Mum and the whole family.

James

Truly feel for you. Best of luck.

Sorry to hear this Dan. Good luck to your mum, and to all of you.

Sorry to hear this Dan you have my full sympathy. I've lost my mum to cancer years ago, and my friend, who's a girl, is fighting and losing her battle with breast cancer so i know what you're going through. Just be strong for her and deal with your emotions after....

A horrible descision to have to make. If the option is doing nothing and knowing how it will end, or doing something and at least having a chance I would take the chance. That said its a desesion only your mum can come to.
All the best dan and fingers crossed it turns out best case scenario for you all.

My father was diagnosed with Mesothelioma last October and had his operation 6 days after, it was only to try and prolong his life as without the op he was only given a couple of months.

The op was massive and the risk was great but the chance of 12-18 months was worth all the risks, he was doing well until Christmas but then went down hill rapidly until this time last week he passed away. 4 months was all he could fight this awful disease but it was worth the heartache and all the stress even though it didn't go in our favour in the end.

The hospital staff surgeons and nurses were fantastic and the Macmillan nurses
are still supporting us now.

My advice is fight it as best you can.

Mate...

So sorry to hear te sad news.

Fingers crossed for you mate...
Any thing you need just ask.

Stay positive bro...

So sorry to hear this Dan.

Like has already been said, fight it as much as you can, I don't think you'll regret it whatever happens.

Good luck to you and your family.

Sorry to hear this

Good luck to your Mum and the whole family.

Sorry to read your sad news mate, all the best to you and your family.

Just read this Dan and Gill and i are wishing your Mum,you and all your family our best positive thoughts mate!

I see your mother is a fighter Dan. Cancer is something you can't fight alone, I'm sure she'll find courage and extra power in your being together as a family. Good luck!

Sorry to read this Dan and yes, if the op gives her a chance, then it's the best decision.

I wish your Mum, you and the rest of the family all my love and best wishes.

Sorry to hear your news Dan.
All my best to your mother as well as yourself and all family.Be positive and stay strong.You have plenty of support on here let alone with the people around you.

Sad times mate. Thinking of you all

Sorry to hear that Dan Fingers crossed for you.

Sorry to hear this Dan. All the best too you and your family.

@ Duke

Condolences on your loss mate. You'll be in a bad place at the moment, but it does get better.

McMillans are worth every penny in donations IMO.

So sorry to hear about this, Dan.

I'm sure your mum will follow whatever is the best path for her. Best of luck with it all.

All our best wishes to you and your family, Dan.

Sorry Dan, Sad news, The best you can do is hope and pray, And spend as much time as you can as a family unit, This for me was the best when I my mum was very ill,

Chrissy

All the best Dan, hope she pulls through okay and makes a good recovery.

If/when I find myself or someone close to me in a similar situation with cancer, I'll be going with this advice and cutting dairy out completely.

I really, really wouldn't hold out much hope with that one.

Sorry to hear this Dan,but at only 60+ then the op is a no brainer! Good luck to you all!

Sorry to hear this too Dan. I don't know much about this type of cancer but if you haven't already suggest you read as much as you can stomach on the web to find out best route. Since the last 3 years I've become a pseudo expert on ovarian spreading to brain. We made a few mistakes along the way not pushing hard enough to get things treated quickly enough and not insisting on chemo straight after surgery. Slightly suspicious that your mums case only refers to surgery and whilst I think the normal advice is that bladder cancer is localised I wouldn't trust this. Best to be suspicious as i've seen even the top London surgeons get it wrong. And some of the regional experts can be shocking -so best be on your guard. As long as your mum wants to fight and she'll need you to do this for her then don't take their advice at face value. The better informed of the alternatives you are the better. And i'd push for preventative approach like chemo whatever they say and however unpleasant etc as lomg as your mum wants. Wish you and her all the best. Chris

Oh dear Dan; all the very best. Tricky, but keep positive and I'm sure that she will be fine!

Tim

Update on this - Mum had her bladder removal op today, and is recovering in the high dependancy unit in Brighton's Sussex County hospital tonight. Surgeon told me personally the op had gone well with no complications.

It's been a very long day, but I'll sleep a lot easier tonight now.

Now the fight for her to get back to fighting fitness. And a massive fingers crossed that the dreaded cancer is now gone completely from her body.

Thanks all for the well wishes, I've passed them on to her tonight

One bridge crossed.