A few weeks ago I noticed that I had blood in my urine and it came as quite a shock. The first thought that came in to my mind was whether it could possibly be cancer. The blood actually stopped later that day but I wasn’t going to take a chance.
I contacted my local surgery and filled in one of their online forms detailing the symptoms. It wasn’t long before I had a phone call from a doctor with an appointment for Friday, just a few days time.
I was told that I’d need to bring a urine sample so I got that sorted, before my appointment, and handed it in to the surgery.
I was a bit nervous on the day of my appointment as I was half expecting a prostate examination. Goodness knows why but that’s what was buzzing around in my mind.
As it turned out, the doctor examined my abdomen and explained that he was going to refer me to the Urology Department at my local hospital (Salisbury District Hospital). I’m over 60 and it turns out that this is standard procedure if there’s blood in your urine.
He mentioned that I may well have a CAT scan and that I could possibly have something called a Flexible Cystoscopy. I ‘Googled’ it and winced.
Once the consultation was finished, I was sent to the hospital for a blood test. I really don’t like needles.
Within a few days, I received a urology appointment. I can only assume that there was some sort of marker for cancer in the blood test results.
Urology appointment and cancer diagnosis
I turned up at the Urology Department at 10am, feeling rather nervous. A quite look around the room told me that I wasn’t the only one.
It wasn’t long before a kind nurse called my name and I was lead in to a small room where I met the specialist. I must admit that I was panicking a bit but they did their best to put my mind at ease.
I’m no expert but I could see what looked like an endoscope on a table. I guessed that I was going to have the flexible cystoscopy.
We had a bit of a chat about the blood in my urine and he confirmed what was going to happen. I was told that the procedure could carried out under a general anaesthetic but I just wanted it be be done.
I sat on the examination bed, lowered my trousers waited nervously. I knew that some sort of local anaesthetic gel (cream) was going to be used but I was too frightened to open my eyes.
I could feel the movement as the cystoscope was inserted in to my urethra and on towards my bladder. It wasn’t painful as such but I did find it rather uncomfortable.
After the procedure was finished, the doctor gave me the news that I didn’t want to hear. He told me that I had bladder cancer but that it would be treatable. After the shock, I went home to ponder what might happen.
I was warned that urinating might be a little uncomfortable for 24 hours or so. I found that it stung rather a lot but it didn’t last long.
If you ever discover blood in your urine, please make an appointment to see your doctor.