Cancer stories

David’s story

One day I noticed some blood in my urine. I postponed going to the doctor – I talked myself into it being an infection. I eventually saw sense and went to see my GP, who referred me to have an ultrasound scan.

An ultrasound and cystoscopy confirmed that I had bladder cancer. During the cystoscopy, the surgeon removed the tumour, which was contained in the lining of the bladder.

My urologist recommended that I have a course of BCG to prevent the cancer returning. Because the drug is inserted directly into the bladder, I didn’t have any unpleasant side effects, except embarrassment!

After BCG treatment, I had another cystoscopy. The cancer had come back, so it was removed again and I was given chemotherapy. Like the BCG, it was delivered directly into the bladder.

I then had a third cystoscopy. Unfortunately, it showed the chemotherapy hadn’t worked, so the urologist recommended that I have my bladder removed. He explained that this meant I would have a stoma.

After getting a second opinion and talking to a friend with a stoma, I decided to have the operation to remove my bladder.

During recovery in hospital, I had a catheter in the stoma to drain my urine. Before I went home, the catheter was removed and the nurse explained how to look after the stoma and use the urostomy bags.

Having a stoma and urostomy bag was difficult at first, but I got used to it after a few weeks. The stoma and bag really aren’t visible and I can do almost everything I did before the operation. I have been swimming and cycling and have travelled extensively.

When I speak to anyone in a similar situation, I always emphasise that there is life after having a stoma.