Really. A non-political post. A question actually.

Message

Beebs52 · #1 Post by **Beebs52** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:45 pm

My father-in-law has just been diagnosed with bladder cancer. He's 85, so we're dealing with elderly sorts. I would like to know if anyone else has dealt with it and with specific treatments.

We've gotten him to ask the docs for a HIPPA release to give us the medical information, since he's just sort of, well, I have to go for biological sort of treatment in a couple of weeks...

No info on the path report, stage, etc. We've looked up a lot of stuff on it and are just curious if anyone else has messed with it.

My m-i-l was concerned that he couldn't fix her her food during all this.

Oh well.

kayrharris · #2 Post by **kayrharris** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:59 pm

I wish I could help you, but I can't. I don't know of or have anyone in my family that has been diagnosed or treated for this. Hopefully someone here will have some information for you.

I know you're dealing with some distance between you as well, aren't you?
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers for sure.

sunflower · #3 Post by **sunflower** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:09 pm

I'm with Kay...I unfortunately don't know anything about it, but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

SportsFan68 · #4 Post by **SportsFan68** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:21 pm

Same here, I'm totally ignorant of this -- I've never even heard of anyone having it.

I'm sending all my best vibes as you meet this difficult challenge.

Ritterskoop · #5 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:37 pm

I have read a bit about end-of-life cases like this but obviously I hope you are nowhere near those problems.

The main idea is that some folks do not want treatment, and those wishes should be respected if they are from a person who is lucid enough to choose.

I hope you are a long time away from these kinds of conversations.

Beebs52 · #6 Post by **Beebs52** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:46 pm

Ritterskoop wrote:I have read a bit about end-of-life cases like this but obviously I hope you are nowhere near those problems.

The main idea is that some folks do not want treatment, and those wishes should be respected if they are from a person who is lucid enough to choose.

I hope you are a long time away from these kinds of conversations.

Interesting that he, of course, will take treatment, and should.

I'm just curious about the big picture. If I were 85, I might want to know what's what. I think we're dealing with confusion on all parts. Therefore, we need to talk with the docs. Whatever Jeff's dad decides is fine, we just want to know what to do/expect/figure out.

Getting old is a majorly important process. So, all you youngsters out there, prepare yourselves.

And then buy a margarita machine.

VAdame · #7 Post by **VAdame** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:47 pm

Probably BCG therapy.

What that is, is an inactivated bacillus which is mixed into a saline solution & administered via a urinary catheter. It seems to stimulate an immune response for these sorts of bladder cancers.

Lots of info out there -- just Google "BCG therapy."

Ritterskoop · #8 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:50 pm

Beebs52 wrote: Interesting that he, of course, will take treatment, and should.

I'm sorry, I was not trying to speak to your situation. One of the cases we read in school in June was bladder cancer, but it could have been otherwise.

You know whatever I say to you is with the best of intentions. Even if it comes out wrong.

Beebs52 · #9 Post by **Beebs52** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:58 pm

Ritterskoop wrote:
Beebs52 wrote: Interesting that he, of course, will take treatment, and should.

I'm sorry, I was not trying to speak to your situation. One of the cases we read in school in June was bladder cancer, but it could have been otherwise.

You know whatever I say to you is with the best of intentions. Even if it comes out wrong.

Skoop, I didn't take your response as anything "wrong" at all! Please, no snark taken or meant on my part either. I didn't frame my response very well.

I totally agree with you on the end-of-life difficulties, that quality of life should probably be the focus, etc. and ultimately it IS the choice of the patient, assuming he/she is mentally ok.

Also, while he's lucid and smart, he's very down in the dumps and obviously doesn't have the wherewithal to ask the right questions. I'm always surprised when people come down with some drastically drastic disease and then don't poke the docs for info. But, that's me and not him. Hopefully we can get up to speed on everything in a few days.

Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, I certainly didn't mean to.

Oh yeah. Factoring in the m-i-l should make his treatment period a fun carousel ride...

Beebs52 · #10 Post by **Beebs52** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:00 pm

VAdame wrote:Probably BCG therapy.

What that is, is an inactivated bacillus which is mixed into a saline solution & administered via a urinary catheter. It seems to stimulate an immune response for these sorts of bladder cancers.

Lots of info out there -- just Google "BCG therapy."

VAd, thanks so much for the link! I'm going to (certainly not at work, nuh uh, nuh un) look at it right now. Would we be right that this treatment is for early stage disease? Or would it be the least invasive in a situation more advanced but with an older, compromised patient?

Ritterskoop · #11 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:01 pm

Beebs52 wrote:
Oh yeah. Factoring in the m-i-l should make his treatment period a fun carousel ride...

This will be the worst part, sounds like. Stress brings out the best in some people and the worst in others. Their choice.

Beebs52 · #12 Post by **Beebs52** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:08 pm

Ritterskoop wrote:
Beebs52 wrote:
Oh yeah. Factoring in the m-i-l should make his treatment period a fun carousel ride...
This will be the worst part, sounds like. Stress brings out the best in some people and the worst in others. Their choice.

It's worse when the "people" are inherently a beyotch, self-absorbed, with no grasp on actual reality, coupled with bedriddenness, too many meds and mild Alzheimers.

tlynn78 · #13 Post by **tlynn78** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:10 pm

dammit, beebs. I hate that you have this to deal with.
You will kick it's punkass bitch's ass, but still...

t.

Beebs52 · #14 Post by **Beebs52** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:14 pm

tlynn78 wrote:dammit, beebs. I hate that you have this to deal with.
You will kick it's punkass bitch's ass, but still...

t.

You know what? It's not me having to "deal with it" so much; I know, I know, I do, but it's more of partnering with Jeff and his sis through it. Mortality seems to keep making its presence known all the time. The noive.

And this bladder cancer needs a good can 'a whuppass from the Punk Ass Mitch.

But wait! There's more! Buy now and we'll throw in the Punk Ass Mitch Fringe Trimmer for those hard to target areas!

Mitch Miller · #15 Post by **Mitch Miller** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:22 pm

Beebs52 wrote: But wait! There's more! Buy now and we'll throw in the Punk Ass Mitch Fringe Trimmer for those hard to target areas!

I highly recommend this product for keeping those areas neat!

(I had to chime in so I could get this gig instead of Billy Mays.)