Bladder Cancer - 5 - Chemo First Round

First round of MVAC chemotherapy. This is the 5th in a series of videos that document my experience with bladder cancer and its treatment.

In the Fall of 2015, at the age of 38, I was diagnosed with Stage 2, aggressive bladder cancer. These videos are a detailed account of my treatment and some of the helpful lessons that I learned along the way. The story is unfiltered; I don't avoid frightening, painful, or embarrassing topics.

My treatment consisted of four rounds of MVAC chemotherapy followed by a radical cystectomy and prostatectomy with an orthopedic neobladder urinary diversion. Thanks to many excellent doctors and nurses, countless unseen researchers, two extraordinary surgeons, and the support of my family and friends, Summer of 2017 marks my first year of remission.

My treatment spanned 36 weeks and is documented across several videos:

Week 01 Video 1 Symptoms
Week 03 Video 1 MedCeck consultation
Week 05 Video 1 Primary Care Physician consultation
Week 06 Video 1 Urologist consultation
Week 08 Video 1 CT scan/Cystoscopy
Week 09 Video 2 TURB biopsy
Week 11 Video 3 Biopsy Results (diagnosis)
Week 11 Video 3 Surgical consultation
Week 12 Video 3 Oncologist consultation
Week 13 Video 3 Chemo prep procedures
Week 13 Video 4 TURB resection/debulking and chemo port

Week 15 Video 5 Chemotherapy round 1 of 4

Week 17 Video 6 Chemotherapy round 2 of 4
Week 19 Video 6 Chemotherapy round 3 of 4
Week 21 Video 6 Chemotherapy round 4 of 4
Week 25 Video 7 Radical cystectomy and prostatectomy with neobladder
Week 27 Video 8 Post-op #1: Removed kidney stent and JP drain
Week 29 Video 8 Post-op #2: Removed foley and started urinating
Week 31 Video 8 Post-op #3: Removed SPT
Week 34 Video 8 Removed ureteral stent and chemo port
Week 35 Video 8 Returned to work