Runners Bladder, Bladder Cancer... thoughts.

Oh my, sorry to hear about this.

I have a friend that was diagnosed with bladder cancer 20 years ago. He had surgery and they removed his bladder, and made a new one out of part of his intestines (not sure if it was large or small intestine.)

He never had to go through radiation or chemo, and he's been cancer free since.

I hope you have such luck.

June 7th is an awfully long time away. I’d be on pins and needles the whole time. Hopefully that’s a sign that the docs don’t think your situation is serious.

Best of luck to you

Thankfully, so far I have not had any cancer issues other than lots of basal and squamous cell carcinomas which just get frozen or chopped off. Ghost of Igloi (now 70 or about to turn 70) on the 50+ Masters thread has gone through the process of treatment for lymphoma, provided very informative commentary on the treatment and its effect on his running, and is working his way back to competitive fitness. You might want to check in on that thread and get his perspective on things.

Shoot fisky, that really sucks.

Wish I had any info to help, all I can do is send well-wishes your way. Stay strong 💪

Sorry to hear that Fisky. Tagging on to old guy II. I pulled up the treatment options for your disease, of course unsure how accurate it is. That said, one treatment option is immunotherapy. I was treated with both immunotherapy and chemotherapy initially, then radiation. In some variants of my disease the sole treatment is the immunotherapy Rituxan. This would be the preferred remedy, if it does the trick.

My disease was aggressive yet curable, so the oncology team thru all options. I am quite a bit stronger 3 years post treatment. I would assume if immunotherapy is an option it will be a quick fix. Anthracycline chemotherapy kill rapidly multiplying cells; in my case targeting B-cells in the lymphatic system. For me the chemotherapy included steroids that resulted in 35 lbs weight gain. Steroids were to support the body during treatment periods where my red blood cells were depleted. I was given Claritin for bone aches while the bone marrow is keeping up with the depletion. Sounds strange a allergy drug, but it worked. I forced myself to park a mile from my office so I could get some exercise. Challenges were not crapping myself on the way in or too tired to make it to my car. I have lost about 25lbs, but not back to where I was. Chemotherapy is tough, no doubt about it. One would have to have more fortitude than I to train thru it. Radiation just makes you tired an hour or two after treatment, but they string those together over a period of weeks Monday thru Friday. Mine was a four week period. I could train through this period; not normal but tolerable. So, severity: 1) chemotherapy, 2) immunotherapy, 3) immunotherapy.

In answer to your question, I feel I can be nationally competitive, but at this point untested. In January 2018 shortly before diagnosis I had one of the top early season indoor times M65 800m 2:59 and mile 6:32. A month after completing chemotherapy I ran a 7:22 1500 meters. It was the most difficult race in my life; could not catch my breath.

Probably too much information, but the experience is a lasting memory, though more positive than negative.

Currently I am sitting in the hospital while my wife recovers from major surgery; non-cancer related, and something that is hopefully behind her. As she said “you eat well, exercise and still....”

Best wishes.

Igy

Sorry to hear that and hoping for the best. I had a bladder cancer scare very recently, based on finding microscoping blood in my urine. I have other symptoms includng having to pee multiple times per night. Fortunately the cystoscopy which was extremely unpleasant was negative but in my anxious mind i feel like this could return. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Get well soon, fisky

Wishing you all the best!

I realized that I had not updated this thread. I have good news.

On July 1, I had bladder cancer chemo, which was a chemical called gemcitabine inserted into the bladder for one hour. I also had another biopsy done at the same time.

The biopsy was negative! Apparently, the original surgery to cauterize a raw spot also removed all the skin cancer! However, bladder cancer, like skin cancer, can return so I'll have to have periodic checkups for the rest of my life.

When I attempted to return to running in August, the bladder pain returned. I messaged my doctor and was told to not run until my next cystoscopy, which is in early October.

I'm grateful to be cancer-free, but it's frustrating that doctors can only get me to "not sick" instead of back to optimal health.

Always thought my prostate cancer was brought on by nearly a half century of dedicated training.

Wow, I missed this thread. OP, sounds like you came thru the chemo like a champ.

fisky wrote:

When I attempted to return to running in August, the bladder pain returned. I messaged my doctor and was told to not run until my next cystoscopy, which is in early October.

How are you recovering? Hopefully October gives you the green light to return to running.

fisky wrote:

I'm grateful to be cancer-free, but it's frustrating that doctors can only get me to "not sick" instead of back to optimal health.

I can sure relate to that :-/

Good news, but training halt must be frustrating. Best wishes.

fisky wrote:

I'm grateful to be cancer-free, but it's frustrating that doctors can only get me to "not sick" instead of back to optimal health.

It is great to be healthy, but frustrating to not be back to 100%

Unfortunately....that is part of ageing I think. If you run, you inevitably have mobility downgrades. You slow down, you do not recover as quickly etc. The curve is pointing downwards, and the best you can hope for is that the curve will be gentle in its decline. I say hope, because when you pas 60-70-80, there is not much you can do. Genetics, the exercise habits from previous decades, luck, and your own frame of mind will determine outcomes, rather than any steps you take that late in the game. Vitamin C supplements will not make up for a lifetime of bad dietary choices, for example.

Good luck! We're all in the same boat, whether we realize it or not.