159: Margo Wickersham survived bladder cancer | cystoscopy | radical cystectomy

1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 159: Margo Wickersham survived bladder cancer | cystoscopy | radical cystectomy | plasmacytoid In November 2019, Margo Wickersham noticed blood in her urine.&nbsp; Three months later, she was diagnosed with two types of bladder cancer.&nbsp; After an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, she underwent a radical cystectomy and a hysterectomy in June 2020, resulting in the removal of her bladder, uterus and ovaries, all this during the quarantine phase of the COVID pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp; Ever since, Margo has been cancer-free, but she had to get fitted with a stoma bag and had to learn how to manage it.&nbsp; The bag is an annoyance, but she considers it a small price to pay in order to stay alive. &nbsp; When Margo first noticed blood in her urine, she sought medical attention, thinking she had a urinary tract infection.&nbsp; It turned out she didn’t have a UTI, but she still thought something was wrong.&nbsp; She underwent a cystoscopy, which captured a photo of a cauliflower-shaped tumor in her bladder.&nbsp; Next up was a biopsy, which indicated she had Stage One bladder cancer.&nbsp; Her urologist prescribed BCG immunotherapy. &nbsp; Margo sought a second opinion and her doctor ruled out BCG, because further probing turned up a second type of bladder cancer, plasmacytoid, and said it could not be addressed with BCG.&nbsp; He called for an aggressive chemotherapy regimen.&nbsp; He also said in addition to a radical cystectomy, which would remove Margo’s bladder, he said a hysterectomy would be necessary, a procedure that would remove her uterus and ovaries. &nbsp; Both were performed in June 2020.&nbsp; Because that was during the quarantine phase of the COVID pandemic, neither Margo’s husband nor members of her family could visit her. &nbsp; After the procedures, Margo was cancer-free.&nbsp; However, her life would never be the same after she had to wear a stoma bag into which her urine would go.&nbsp; Sometimes the bag leaks when filled beyond its capacity.&nbsp; She accepts this as her new normal and says she can deal with it, but has to think ahead in terms of access to a bathroom. &nbsp; By way of advice, Margo says one’s primary emotion should be that of hope and not stress. &nbsp; Additional Resources: &nbsp; Support Group: &nbsp; Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network&nbsp; https://www.bcan.org &nbsp; Margo’s Book, available on Amazon and Kindle:&nbsp; Gratitude in the Storm – When Not Dying Is Enough to Keep Fighting &nbsp; Margo’s merchandise line: www.ThriverSurvivor.shop, with a portion of the revenue going to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, to fund bladder cancer research Cancer Interviews http://cancerinterviews.com <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/39264230/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/39264230