Man, I wish I could take credit for "Frankenbladder," but I saw it on an online support group years ago, and, like brain parasite, it got stuck in my head ... :)
Wow, just wow. What a story, and message. I’m so glad you wrote it, it might save a life, other than your own.
My father was a Urologist and ironically had blood in his urine and bladder cancer, from which he survived at about the age of 70. He would have been aghast at hearing someone say it’s likely dehydration.
Again, a great piece of writing, I was captivated the whole way!
And wow, right back at you: Your dad, a urologist, wound up with bladder cancer. (I guess that may be more common that one would assume.)
A big element of my story, one I didn't stress, was my own denial during the lead-up to the diagnosis. Denial can be deadly. (And, to that end, I have a dermatologist appointment this week!)
Interesting for my father Larry, they treated his bladder cancer by putting a Tuberculosis-like bacteria in him. It triggers an immune response to kill that bacteria that also kills the cancer. It worked. Then Leukemia got him a decade later.
I appreciate what you said about denial. I had a prostate biopsy this summer, even though I didn’t want to. Fortunately it was negative.
Yes, that bacterial compound that worked for your dad, known as BCG, didn't work for me at all. Zero side effects from the treatment, but zero benefit.
Sorry to hear about the leukemia, though. Life is terminal, right?
Glad to hear about the biopsy this past summer. And thank you for the good wishes with the skin doc. (I need to finally start using sunscreen!)
YESSS! It was good to see Billy after all these years! I think of people with a stoma as being a little bit more "open" than others. And of course, you're mighty welcome, Larry.
Oh gosh, bladder cancer?? Like you said to me, welcome to the club (ain't it shite??) Glad you're still around to tell the tale. I'm so glad that you "knew [you were] worthy of a more caring medical professional, someone who wouldn’t gloat while berating [you] every time [you] saw him." I'm glad you trusted your gut and knew that something was not quite right. I'm also glad to still be able to read what you write! Lovely piece, Larry.
Thank you, Dana. Truth be told, I put up with that doctor's rude behavior for far too long. I should've dumped him a lot sooner.
A friend recently recommended that I get checked out due to a few moles. This time, I didn't hesitate; I have a dermatologist's appointment. Live 'n learn, as they say. Thanks again.
Larry, I’m certainly glad you walked out on that rude doctor, saving not only your self esteem, but ultimately your life. What a great cautionary tale! No offense to all the stoma people out there, but I’m so glad you have a frankenbladder instead. ;)
Thank you, Flori. When I wrote this piece, I looked up "stoma," and the images were kind of hideous. That said, I'm sure folks get used to it. Still, I much prefer the "bladder of the Franken variety."
BTW, did you see the bladder doll & caption? Thanks again for all your help!!
Larry, thank you for sharing such an incredible story. It’s such a powerful reminder that we have to be proactive in advocating for our own health—doctors, like every other profession, come with different levels of competence and empathy. Your decision to walk out and insist on better care saved your life, and sadly we so often hear of others who weren’t as brave or self-respecting in that moment.
And for the record, I think the hidden picture puzzles in Highlights for Kids are an exceptionally fun way to pass the time ◡̈
Quite a useful essay, Larry. Thank goodness that first doc wasn’t empathetic + unknowledgeable.
I never considered a situation where the existence of empathy might be a detriment. It’s right here. Fascinating to consider how niceness might try to compensate for incompetence.
Thank you, Chao. Truth be told, I have a slew of amusing stories based on my experience with bladder cancer, but I just don't know if they're appropriate for Substack or Write Hearted! (Maybe one day, we can meet for a beer, and when I'm nice and tipsy I'll tell you a few.) Anyway, I appreciate your support!
Nicely done Larry and stunning... and yet not uncommon. I think we're all vulnerable to the curse of thinking we know everything. But, when it's present in the person we trust with our life, it's a daunting reminder why going to the doctor with someone else in tow (forrmally know as a healthcare advocate) is not a bad idea as challenging as it might be to extend that invitation to a friend or family member.
Thank you, Chris. On that note, I'll keep you in mind the next time I have a doctor's appointment. (And I'm only half kidding. The next breakfast is on me...)
Nicely done Larry. A simple and useful story that brings home the necessity of self respect. How often people abandon it in the face of someone they've accepted as an authority figure is probably mostly unreported and of tragic proportions. I hope this saves another person what you almost died from.
…dude a frankenbladder…nice…great optimism in the eyes of incompetence…
Man, I wish I could take credit for "Frankenbladder," but I saw it on an online support group years ago, and, like brain parasite, it got stuck in my head ... :)
…brainkenbladder…
Copyright that! Before *I* do!!
Love your humor… your levity is infectious… thanks for passing it on.
Wow, just wow. What a story, and message. I’m so glad you wrote it, it might save a life, other than your own.
My father was a Urologist and ironically had blood in his urine and bladder cancer, from which he survived at about the age of 70. He would have been aghast at hearing someone say it’s likely dehydration.
Again, a great piece of writing, I was captivated the whole way!
Thank you, James.
And wow, right back at you: Your dad, a urologist, wound up with bladder cancer. (I guess that may be more common that one would assume.)
A big element of my story, one I didn't stress, was my own denial during the lead-up to the diagnosis. Denial can be deadly. (And, to that end, I have a dermatologist appointment this week!)
Anyway, I appreciate your support.
Interesting for my father Larry, they treated his bladder cancer by putting a Tuberculosis-like bacteria in him. It triggers an immune response to kill that bacteria that also kills the cancer. It worked. Then Leukemia got him a decade later.
I appreciate what you said about denial. I had a prostate biopsy this summer, even though I didn’t want to. Fortunately it was negative.
Last and most important, good luck at the derm!!
Yes, that bacterial compound that worked for your dad, known as BCG, didn't work for me at all. Zero side effects from the treatment, but zero benefit.
Sorry to hear about the leukemia, though. Life is terminal, right?
Glad to hear about the biopsy this past summer. And thank you for the good wishes with the skin doc. (I need to finally start using sunscreen!)
YESSS! It was good to see Billy after all these years! I think of people with a stoma as being a little bit more "open" than others. And of course, you're mighty welcome, Larry.
Oh gosh, bladder cancer?? Like you said to me, welcome to the club (ain't it shite??) Glad you're still around to tell the tale. I'm so glad that you "knew [you were] worthy of a more caring medical professional, someone who wouldn’t gloat while berating [you] every time [you] saw him." I'm glad you trusted your gut and knew that something was not quite right. I'm also glad to still be able to read what you write! Lovely piece, Larry.
Thank you, Dana. Truth be told, I put up with that doctor's rude behavior for far too long. I should've dumped him a lot sooner.
A friend recently recommended that I get checked out due to a few moles. This time, I didn't hesitate; I have a dermatologist's appointment. Live 'n learn, as they say. Thanks again.
Larry, I’m certainly glad you walked out on that rude doctor, saving not only your self esteem, but ultimately your life. What a great cautionary tale! No offense to all the stoma people out there, but I’m so glad you have a frankenbladder instead. ;)
Thank you, Flori. When I wrote this piece, I looked up "stoma," and the images were kind of hideous. That said, I'm sure folks get used to it. Still, I much prefer the "bladder of the Franken variety."
BTW, did you see the bladder doll & caption? Thanks again for all your help!!
Larry, thank you for sharing such an incredible story. It’s such a powerful reminder that we have to be proactive in advocating for our own health—doctors, like every other profession, come with different levels of competence and empathy. Your decision to walk out and insist on better care saved your life, and sadly we so often hear of others who weren’t as brave or self-respecting in that moment.
And for the record, I think the hidden picture puzzles in Highlights for Kids are an exceptionally fun way to pass the time ◡̈
Thank you, Rachel. Maybe it pays to have a friend or family member in the exam room at all times.
And, yes, Highlights for Kids really does pass the time! (Sure beats Coin Collector's Almanac or whatever...)
Quite a useful essay, Larry. Thank goodness that first doc wasn’t empathetic + unknowledgeable.
I never considered a situation where the existence of empathy might be a detriment. It’s right here. Fascinating to consider how niceness might try to compensate for incompetence.
Thanks, Kathy.
Fortunately, this one doc was neither competent nor nice. If he'd been nice, things might not have turned out as well as it had.
I love how you kept your self respect *and* sense of humor in what must have been such a harrowing experience! You are an inspiration!
Thank you, Chao. Truth be told, I have a slew of amusing stories based on my experience with bladder cancer, but I just don't know if they're appropriate for Substack or Write Hearted! (Maybe one day, we can meet for a beer, and when I'm nice and tipsy I'll tell you a few.) Anyway, I appreciate your support!
Nicely done Larry and stunning... and yet not uncommon. I think we're all vulnerable to the curse of thinking we know everything. But, when it's present in the person we trust with our life, it's a daunting reminder why going to the doctor with someone else in tow (forrmally know as a healthcare advocate) is not a bad idea as challenging as it might be to extend that invitation to a friend or family member.
Thank you, Chris. On that note, I'll keep you in mind the next time I have a doctor's appointment. (And I'm only half kidding. The next breakfast is on me...)
Nicely done Larry. A simple and useful story that brings home the necessity of self respect. How often people abandon it in the face of someone they've accepted as an authority figure is probably mostly unreported and of tragic proportions. I hope this saves another person what you almost died from.
Thanks, Rick. And thanks again for your help getting this in the right direction.