By Brian M.
When I started having pain on my left side eight years ago, I thought I might have appendicitis. Like most men, I kept saying, “I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine!” It turns out that I wasn’t “fine.” After all, I was only around 50 at the time, pretty healthy, physically fit, never smoked, rarely drank and was physically active.
After a little encouragement, I finally went to see my family doctor, who laughed and said, “It’s not your appendix for sure. That’s on the right side!” So, he sent me for blood work, an ultrasound, CT scan and X-ray. They could find nothing wrong.
But I knew there was something there because it has been bugging me. So, I was referred to a urologist who ordered an additional ultrasound with a deeper dive and more thorough assessment. Sure enough, there was a dark area on the left side of my bladder. The urologist suspected that it might be bladder cancer.
That was followed up at an area hospital with a TURBT (transurethral resection of bladder tumour) surgery to collect samples of cell for biopsy. It wasn’t a painful experience, but awkward and a little invasive. I needed to make sure of the diagnosis, as I wasn’t getting any younger and I didn’t want to be like a car… breaking down every month with something different!
Shocking News
When the results came back three weeks later, my family doctor apologized. “I can’t believe we all missed it. You were right, there is something there. You have bladder cancer.”
I was shocked! My doctor assured me that, “We got it all because you came in early and didn’t let it slide.” Then I got another shock when my doctor told me that the cancer can come back in about 80% of men. Then it became a game of odds. How do I prevent the cancer from coming back?
My doctor game me some ideas: eat a healthier diet, cut out caffeine, cut back on sugars (especially soft drinks), plus some other options. “I’m not saying you can’t do it,” he said, “But if you don’t, there’s a chance the cancer will come back.”
Living In a Smoking World
My doctor told me that firefighters can get bladder cancer because of the second-hand smoke they inhale. That made sense to me because my mother was a smoker. In fact, at that time, everywhere you went people smoked… on planes, in restaurants and theatres. I didn’t blame my mother, no one really understood the impact of smoking on health.
My doctor told me that needed to come in for a cystoscopy quarterly for the first three or four years. I didn’t know what a cystoscopy was at that point. It was a little shocking at first. But to be truthful, I was happy getting it done for the peace of mind knowing that the cancer didn’t come back, something I was naturally very worried about.
After that, the checkups were less frequent, eventually only once a year. My last checkup in July was clear. Everything looked perfect and there was no scaring. Today, I am cancer free! You would never know I had bladder cancer.
Looking Back
When I think back, everyone was surprised that I had bladder cancer. Other than the pain in my side, I did not have any of the typical symptoms of bladder cancer, such as blood in my urine or stool. I was an overall healthy man and the pain wasn’t chronic. That’s why my doctor was as shocked as I was.
I have a great, supportive family. Although my mother was concerned when the diagnosis first came, I reassured her that I was in good hands. My experience with the doctors was very positive. They walked me through the whole process so that I knew what to expect.
Today, I’m probably in the best health that I’ve ever been. I eat a healthy diet, have lost weight, get prostrate checks regularly and work out at the gym. COVID contributed to my really focussing on my health and wellness. I stay active and have no signs of the cancer coming back.
Recently, I’ve become an active participant in Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer. I wish I’d found the walks sooner, as I feel that it’s important to contribute to the cause and help out. The walks have been a great experience. It has been good to meet others, old and young, people and share their stories.
I feel that it’s important that someone who has had bladder cancer and lived through the process to explain it. I believe in spreading awareness and hopefully helping others.
