Starting over again

The more eagle-eyed readers will undoubtable noticed that the name of this blog has changed. I have been feeling inadequate in the name department after reading the blog of my friend - see below.

ChemoBoy is my alter-ego, and I have the teeshirt to prove it. I might get one of the children to take a photo of me in my superhero outfit.

Now that we have the important stuff out of the way, an update. We had our appointment with the Oncologist on 30th December (and a holiday at Centre Parcs, too, which is the reason for the delay). The result of this is that I have an appointment to start my Chemo on 19th of January.

Again however, we were back to square one with the choices. After everything seemed to be cut and dried, we were given the same choices as before.


There are two definitive treatments for Bladder cancer, according to the Oncologist. They are Radiotherapy and Cistectomy (surgical removal of the bladder). Chemotherapy can be given before either of these options to improve the outcome at the other end.


After a discussion of the options I have chosen to go for the Chemo, hence the appointment next week.


The treatment this time consists of three cycles, and this time it will take place at Ward One at the Western General in Edinburgh. I am sure that Ward One will be familiar to most cancer sufferers in this part of the world, however I managed to avoid it last time, so this will be a new experience for me.


Treatment will take place once a week (a Wednesday) on Week One and Two, with Week Three off. There will be three cycles (of three weeks each) followed by a biopsy and a possible fourth cycle if the tumour is responding. This will be followed by Radiotherapy.

If the tumour is not responding after the biopsy then the prefered option of the surgeons will be to remove the entire bladder.


I am very anxious to avoid this option, if at all possible.


I have been in contact with a friend from my previous life, Janine. She has just been diagnosed with her second cancer - a lump in her neck. First time round she had to have her leg amputated, so I guess she knows what we are going through with the whole bladder removal thing.  She had here five year all clear just before discovering this lump. Click here to follow her husbands blog - Musings and Leanings.


I will post again as the chemo progresses.

On a happier note, I am sitting with my favourite Katie, watching The Two Towers and eating Cadbery Clusters :)

How could life be better?