BLADDER CANCER: When one cancer isn’t enough!

Many of you who have read some of my posts know that I am dealing with advanced prostate cancer.  Recently I detected some blood in my urine and went to a urologist who performed a cystoscopy, a procedure where they put a camera up through the urethra to look at the bladder.  Well it was bad news!

My grandson – Kishan’s – sense of humor after my cystoscopy procedure. (I do like Tofurky! Also love the detail on the guitars!)

There was a large tumor in the bladder which he attempted to scrape out but could not get it all. It appeared to have gone through the bladder wall.  I had a PET scan to see if it migrated to other parts of the body. Thankfully that appeared to be clear except for the cancer in the bladder, however there could be microscopic bladder cancer too small to detect elsewhere.  This bladder cancer is a separate cancer, not prostate cancer that has gone to the bladder.

After much consultation with my oncologist and urologist I decided to do systemic
chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy.  Taking the bladder out was another option but because I have had a lot of radiation in that area in the past for prostate cancer, that may not have gone well.  So here I am having chemotherapy once again. I am just about to have my 3rd of 12 sessions – if my body can handle that many.

(No sound on video)

Prognosis is about 50% as to whether I get a meaningful extension of life from this procedure.

It’s not much fun, however this is life!  I do not want or expect sympathy. The Bhagavad-gita explains that birth, old age, disease and eventually death come with this material body.  We should not be surprised when this happens.  I am very fortunate that I can access good medical care, when so many people in the world cannot.  Plus, I have a very supportive family. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.  Meanwhile, I have some more posts about guitars I want to put up shortly.

Namaste.   Chaitanya das aka Charlie

18 thoughts on “BLADDER CANCER: When one cancer isn’t enough!

  1. Love Kishan’s wry take on things. Whether its immunotherapy or tofurkey that does the trick, so glad you are still here ‘n posting.

  2. Haribol Chaitanya Das. Always so nice to get a new post from you.

    Sorry you are suffering and wishing you well.

    My Mum had cancer and the chemotherapy made her so unwell. She understood that she was not her body and towards the end she was no longer afraid.

    She left this world very peacefully hearing chanting.

    Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and many others.

    Warm regards Dave

    1. There have been advances in how the different chemo is given these days. Often anti nausea meds are given with it etc. It’s early days yet for me, 3 out of 12 sessions so far. Good to hear your mum was not afraid at the end, and yes the chanting of God’s names is the key. Many thanks Davey, Chaitanya das

  3. So very sorry to hear you are facing difficult treatments yet again. Yes you are correct we all face or will face these situations because that is life but we can feel overwhelmed. I hope you can find peace and that your pain will be minimal. Hang in there Charles, I guess sometimes that is our option.
    Peace be with you, that is my prayer.
    Rich

    1. Hi Rich. Thanks for your kind words Rich. I’ve been practicing meditation for over 40 years and find it very useful in dealing with situations such as this. While I will use pain medications if needed I find I that when pain is at it’s worst I can go within, meditate on not being this body and be with the Lord in my heart. The Bhagavad-gita explains that an expansion of God travels with every living entity in this material world and resides in the region of our heart, and through practice we can tune into and be there with our Lord. In this state there is only peace. When we leave these bodies we are forced to go inwards anyway, and fear comes when we do not understand what is happening. Much love Charlie aka Chaitanya das

  4. Bad news or good news, it’s always good to hear from you, Charlie! So sorry to hear that this time it’s not good news. Anxiously awaiting to see the new guitar posts! Thinking of you, and hoping for better news to come! — Patrick.

    1. Hi Patrick, Yes, other commitments and my health has kept me away from lengthy periods on the computer and so I haven’t don’t many posts of late. However I have been trying to collect and organize material and I’m hoping I have time over these next months to be more productive in getting it out there. All the best to you and your loved ones. Charlie

  5. You look like the same Caitanya das I know and love❤️🙏but you are incredibly brave to withstand all this. Sigh. We are not in control when or how we leave. I CALL on the Names of the Lord❤️✌️💯

    1. Namaste Siva dasi, You are my dear friend Siva dasi. I am not brave it is just the hand I have been dealt as you say. Much love Caitanya das

  6. So sorry you are back dealing with it again, Charles. I do love your grandson’s cartoons and wit. And it appears, with your strong faith, you have cultivated a healthy mindset amongst the family for dealing with such life events.
    Best wishes for you and your family.

  7. Namaste Chaitanya das, my instant reaction to this was an unprintable ##@#$$. You may not be expecting or wanting sympathy but you’ve got it. I’m sure things have advanced since my grandmother endured her successful treatment for bladder cancer, but still, not fun! And of course she has passed decades ago, but it was not from cancer but rather ripe old age. So let it be so for you also, God willing. And I know you will be in feeling, not as I will but as God wills. Haribol

    1. Namaste Jayasri dasi, so nice to hear from you. Thanks for your comments, hope you are in the best of health also. Much love, Chaitanya das.

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