Vreeland J. Wood: Putting Bladder Cancer in the Rear-View Mirror

In January 2024 I began noticing blood in my urine that would go away for a while and then come back. Finally, it came back and didn’t go away again, so I went to my family doctor and then a urologist to have it checked out.

I had a CT scan and a scope exam, which showed a large tumor in my bladder. At this point, the tumor was considered suspicious, and the urologist said I needed to see a surgeon specializing in cancer. I did some research online and found Fox Chase Cancer Center.

A Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

I met with Dr. Randall Lee, MD, a highly skilled urologic oncologist who specializes in robotic surgery and is also a member of the Fox Chase - Temple Urologic Institute. He recommended a procedure called transurethral resection of bladder tumor, or TURBT, to remove the mass. Just 10 days after my first visit at Fox Chase, I went in for surgery. 

The operation was successful. Dr. Lee removed a 2.2 cm mass from my bladder, and I was sent home the same day. Unfortunately, I had complications. My bladder was filling with blood clots. I went to my local emergency room, then back to Fox Chase, where I stayed for three days while my bladder was flushed with saline solution. This stopped the clots, and I was able to go home and recover normally. 

Then about three weeks later, the biopsy results came back: I had muscle invasive bladder cancer. That meant I would need chemotherapy, followed by another surgery to remove the entire bladder. 

A Complex Surgery

I had three chemotherapy treatments over six weeks under the care of Dr. Fern Anari, a medical oncologist. Because my wife Linda and I live about two hours away from Fox Chase, we were able to stay overnight in a nearby hotel room provided by the American Cancer Society, which really helped. 

My main side effects of the chemo were mouth sores and extreme fatigue. The staff gave me some mouthwash to help with the sores, and it took a couple of months to get my strength and energy back, but finally, I was ready for surgery.

Honestly, I was worried. I’m a big guy. I am overweight and have a heart condition called atrial fibrillation. I’m also on blood thinners, which I had to stop taking before the operation. All of these things could potentially make surgery more risky. They also make anesthesia more complicated, especially for a long surgery like the one I was about to undergo. Dr. Lee worked with the anesthesiologist to make sure I received proper airflow so my lungs would keep working properly during the procedure.

I was in the operating room for 10 hours. During the surgery, Dr. Lee removed my bladder, my prostate, and 21 lymph nodes. He also took part of my intestine to make a stoma, an opening in the abdominal wall that allows urine to drain out. He then inserted two tubes to reroute urine from my kidneys to the stoma. A plastic surgeon helped with the reconstruction. 

Robotic Surgery = Less Pain

Dr. Lee did an awesome job. He was so caring and took time to make sure we understood everything that was happening. While I was in surgery, he was constantly coming out to let my wife know how I was doing.

He also did the entire surgery robotically, which meant it was minimally invasive. Instead of cutting open my whole abdomen, he was able to operate using five one-inch incisions. This resulted in much less pain and lower risk of infection.

Recovering at home was smooth and easy. Dr. Lee had inserted two stents to keep the tubes in my kidneys open. Once I healed, I went to the Fox Chase clinic in Voorhees, New Jersey, which is closer to my home, so he could take them out. 

It was at this visit that he told me the tests had come back showing that I was cancer free. He said to come back in six months for monitoring. Hearing that felt unbelievable. After everything we’d been through, I was cancer free! 

Enjoying Life Again

I’m now wearing a urinary drainage bag and learning to empty it regularly. My doctor had to adjust one of my blood pressure medications to work better with the bag. But I feel good. I’m grateful to be cancer free, and I’m getting used to my new parts.

I’m also getting back to the things I enjoy. My hobby is collecting and restoring antique and classic cars. I’ve started restoring a 1929 Lincoln, and I’m looking forward to showing it off at one of the monthly car shows we have at our house.

Also, Linda and I have 11 grandchildren that we would like to spend more time with. And we also love to travel. Next up is a trip to Greece for a cruise with my 84-year-old dad.

Cancer is in the rear-view mirror, and we’re looking forward to the future!

Learn more about treatment for bladder cancer at Fox Chase Cancer Center.