Well this is about my fight with bladder cancer.For weeks even though I have known what I am going to deal with I have said " I am going to be alright" not sure who I was trying to convince. I thought I would start to write a blog to help. I have been writing it in my head for weeks.Not known where to start.
I wish my first clash with blogging was a better occasion. More like the Julia Julia adventure would have been better, but its not.
Well here we go.
I have been diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive bladder cancer, a tumour the size of a tennis ball in a bladder the size of a rugby ball has been found.
I knew it was cancer from the first time that I went for the first scan it was more about what was said and what wasn't.(The nurse said something about not buying a fur coat) funny saying and things you remember.
If I can also as I go through this educate people about bladder cancer and that even if you have a UTI do not leave it get it sorted.
Well the drip feeding began.
Went for Cystoscopy, told it looked like snow storm unable to see much apart from the large Tumour, this was a Friday - Tuesday the week after I was taken in for the TURBT (removal of the tumour) . At this point they wanted to check the extent of it.
Then back for another appointment with the consultant who went through everything the cancer level, and the fact that a full bladder removal was necessary and referal to another specialist.
The specialist went through all the details- options and said they would continue to drip feed the information as time goes on. Also that not just a pelvic sweep was necessay but also that chemo was required first.
This is just a synopsis of the facts nothing else, just to try and help you with trying to understand the whirlwind my life has been.
Amist all this a friend of mine if she allows me to use her name you will meet the character later on with many others that are touching my life .
They were going away and had if I wanted to go for a couple of days I could. What a fantastic idea , Thank you so much to her, to the adventure and to the fun time.
We talked we walked, we also went ridding ( The funniest thing I had never really been on a horse) my horse had a mind of its own, and when my friends went to eat so did mine, these horses had only one pace, but oh what fun.
OK well back home treading water while I waited for the oncologist.
Saw him and then on to the chemo........ AND pre tests........ Day 1 Chemo 16 hours -oh what fun.....not really more anitodtes to come of this adventure.
Well I think this is enough for now I hope I have not depressed anybody too much. I am fighting and positive
So please read and comment and help this is new to me and writing never my best thing but ... I am sure I will improve
Thanks to you all who read and are interested ...Natalie
Keep writing Natalie, this is really helpful to know what you are going through and how we may begin to understand how you are feeling. Love your positivity Steph xx
ReplyDeleteVery brave of you to do this Natalie. The first i knew of your condition, was when you told me over facebook. I was in absolute shock and thehairs went up on the back of my neck. I very much wanted to ask you what type of cancer you had, but felt as though i was intruding. I have been trying to find ways to ask you about it ever since but just couldn't find the words. Your blog has been very helpful and informative. Thank you for helping me and others to understand. You're a true inspiration to us all. Helen. xx
ReplyDeleteNatters, you are an incredibly brave and an unbelievably strong woman. I have known you for such a loooong time so I know you will be a formidable opponent in this fight to win. Rest assured there will be an army of supporters who will continue to love and support you through all of this. Should have told that blurting nurse that you are the kind of caring person who would never buy a fur coat anyway!!!! Your blog shows us how you are working through this difficult experience,helping us all to understand how to be strong and most importantly send out POSITIVE healing energy.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile Big hugs to you across the pond...Fi xx
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ReplyDeleteBecause I am not Action Factory Cath any more but it won't let me be anyone else!
ReplyDeleteAnyway......
Hello! Bloody Hell Natalie....I wondered what was happening from your facebook posts, but in that terribly English way decided not to ask as you would tell us when you were ready - and so you did. This blog is brilliant and I hope is as helpful to you as it seems to be to all of us reading it. 16 hours chemo? - you should get a bloomin' medal. Keep fighting, keep up that positive energy and I hope you keep sharing your journey through your blog. The fight is on!!
Big hugs xxx Cath