Kate was 65 when she first spotted blood in her urine. Here she describes her experience of Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer:
I have just had a very scary time after eventually getting fast tracked for cancer of the bladder.
I searched everywhere online but everything I read was all really bad and left me wondering how I could come out of this.
I'm a 65 year old mum, grandmother and hippie. My symptoms started with pink pee last Julyand I went back to the docs so many times for more antibiotics because they didn't know what to do with me.
I went on holiday in October and started bleeding again. It was bad. It looked like red wine. When I came home I called the surgery and fortunately got a new doctor who fast tracked me to the hospital.
My first appointment checked my kidneys with ultrasound and then I had a camera into my bladder and was shown on screen the two tumours that were causing the problem. I was told they would be removed as soon as possible.
December 18th was TURBT day and I was escorted to the hospital by both of my children. All the staff at the hospital were lovely and I met my surgeon and anaesthetist who both explained I would have a rigid camera inserted into my bladder, the tumours would be removed and my bladder would be filled with a chemotherapy solution for an hour to make doubly sure they were gone.
When I came round in recovery I had a catheter fitted and litres of water were being put through it to irrigate my bladder. I had not had any chemotherapy. It was 11.00 when the anaesthetist was putting me to sleep. I woke up and the clock said 12.00.
After several beautifully made cups of tea in recovery, I was moved to a ward and started my recovery. I had been told it was day surgery but it was apparent with irrigation going on that I would need to stay for one night.
The catheter was removed the following day and I was told I had to pee properly before I could leave.
I achieved this and made it home to recover. Post op problems were few. I felt a bit cystitisy and had to rush to the loo all the while.
Three weeks later my appointment for review day arrived. I went to urology clinic with my daughter and eventually we were called in.
I was told that the tumours removed from my bladder were cancerous and that they had been fully removed. I would get a follow up in 3 months with a camera and if all clear they would leave it 12 months before the check again.
I'm writing this because I couldn't find a story similar to mine and I really think people should be able to find a less harsh outcome. I'm not a fool and I know this could go wrong but at least I have been given a positive outcome.
