Thanks to all for the positive mojo. @downtoearth – brother was referred to Dartmouth-Hitchcock by the urologist in our hometown. Apparently, due to the size/location of the tumor, the recommended course of action is removal of the bladder. Because B is in excellent health (and never smoked), he’s a good candidate for getting a neobladder, i.e. the doc will create a new bladder from intestinal material. (Sorry if this is TMI.) B will definitely talk to/see other docs – one at MGH and then H’s contact. (I have a HS friend who works in one of the cancer labs at MGH, so got a contact thru her.) It does seem as if his prognosis is good, but, again, never a diagnosis anyone wants to hear. And I have to say my B feels fortunate that within our own family there are connections and contacts to gather additional information. Not everyone has those resources.
Sorry for the diagnosis, @CBBBlinker . The prognosis does sound good. My sister just yesterday celebrated her one year anniversary of her last radiation treatment for breast cancer. Hope things go as well with your brother , and sounds like they will- and that he has good care lined up . Always stressful though for the patient and family, even if the prognosis is good. Like your non smoker brother , I had a non smoker college roommate that had lung cancer at age 40 and had never smoked. Often with certain cancers , smoking is the first risk factor that comes to mind, but that is not always the cause.
My friend had a neo bladder done at MGH.
Certain cancers are just more associated with smoking and bladder is one of them, although you don’t have to smoke to get it. My friend who died of tongue cancer did not smoke or drink. My BIL was a former smoker. As you know I would be the last to “blame” cancer on a person’s habits. Although I blame myself for life long overweight as it is the only risk factor besides having my children after age 30. I had genetic studies which were negative, and I was like “really?” There is always an association, but no one knows …I wish we did.
True, I think that no one really knows with these things. And bad things can hit people , even with no major risk factors. Please don’t blame yourself, downtoearth. I had both my kids after age 30 as well. My sister never had any kids and that also seems to be a risk factor. Her good friend, who also never had children, had endometrial cancer. There also seems to be a higher risk for that for women who have not had kids. I had only had one mammogram before my sister’s diagnosis. I just had one again in January and was more inclined to follow through with getting that done because of her experience. I am not good with doctors, tests at all!
Darn…fighting another bad cold and now have laryngitis. Think I will lay low today and not do much. I went to bed at 8:30 last night and was awake at 3. I hope this passes quickly.
Hope you feel better soon, NM.
Positive thoughts on all who are fighting sickness or know someone who is sick. NM - my cold is back again too. Can’t hear out of one ear. It’s going to be a good day. 
Sending healing mojo to the lot of you 
Hope you are better today, RM.
This will be one of my long days at work but I’m wearing red
Both ears are infected. ENT appt today.
Hope they can help you RM. Feel better! My voice is getting better but still raspy. I am going to try and get out today.
Gosh, hope everyone gets to feeling better!
RM, ouch.
Today is my last Mah Jong class. I really like the game.
The women at my table…not so much. They want to get together
ongoing. I am not sure how I will navigate this request.
Feeling particularly stressed about our trip to Boston for D’s
residency match day that is the 17th. Not sure what that is about
as I am not as attached to her placement as I thought I would be
so maybe it is meeting his parents or simply that I hate jet lag.
Boston is probably a great place for a residency.
ShawSon had his surgery yesterday – 6 hours. Great doctor, as far as I can tell. Very good staff, but was supposed to be in the ICU recovery room and instead was put in a PACU recovery room, which was properly staffed but didn’t have supplies easily available when they needed them. He says he is doing pretty well – he’s actually not talking as they broke and moved forward both the upper and lower jaws – but he is texting.
Glad your son is doing pretty well! Hope recovery goes smoothly. My niece had some pretty involved jaw surgery before she started college and it was successful but I do remember the recovery took awhile. Very good you can be there to help!
Checking in - sorry to hear so many are under the weather. NM and RM, hope you are both doing better. Hope ShawSon’s recovery goes well.
Got to hear Billie Jean King speak Tuesday night; tonight we’re hearing Lesley Stahl.
My next work trip is to Edinburgh, Scotland! D is going to join me for part of the trip - she’s also going to London; she’s looking at graduate programs there and will also visit her company’s London office.
Ears are starting to clear – medicine must be working. Still tired but I think after a couple of more days I should feel much better.
CQ - sounds like fun!
Shaw - hope your son is recovering.
NM - hope you are feeling better as well.
Was up at 3:30 this morning as I couldn’t breathe and my coughing was bothering H. Wow! This virus has really been a pain! RM…you are correct about the fatique. I am exhausted.Haven’t been out of the house since this hit. Not much of an appetite. Hoping it clears soon.
Seriously??? Now I have conjunctivitis! So ready to be done! Ugh…
Oh NM! NO!!! I felt that way when I knew that I had an ear infection.
Glad your S’s surgery went well, @shawbridge. Healing light to you, @NorthMinnesota.
@oregon101 – Match Day is St. Patrick’s Day? Boston should be fun! (Although the parade isn’t until Sunday, March 19th.)
My brother just sent an email saying his cancer surgery got moved up from 3/21 to 3/17. I’m going to go for the day so SIL isn’t alone, waiting at the hospital. There’s been so little surgery within my family that this is all new territory – and somewhat scary! B is an attorney in my hometown; he’s been updating wills, etc.