[Jay-Jay]

My husband has just been dx with Ca. of the bladder (urothelial carcinoma). He's also had 2 bowel obstructions, both of which resolved spontaneously. I've seen this sort of thing happen with Ca. of the prostate in advanced stages...bowel obstructions come and go, but eventually the bowel shuts down completely, and the end comes fairly quickly after that.

Are bowel obstructions common with urothelial cancer? So far, the doctors have said it was a psuedo-obstruction, but that was before they knew he had Ca. He has no appetite to speak of, and feels nauseated when he eats.

[gwenith]

Jay Jay (((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) so sorry that you both have to be going through all of this.

[suzanne4]

Jay-Jay:
So sorry that you and your husband are having to go through all of this.
My thoughts are with you.............................

[jnette]

Oh Jay-Jay... you sure have had to go through so very much lately.

(((HUGS)))

I really don't have an answer, but I do send warmest hugs and energizer bunnies your way. I know you must be frazzled physically and emotionally.

I'm so very sorry about your DH, and pray that he remains painfree as much as is possible. Be kind to yourself, and to one another. He's so fortunate to have you there by his side.

[earle58]

jane,

what were your husband's pseudo bowel obstructions related to? i can understand the etiology w/late stage prostate, only because of the proximity of the prostate to the rectum. i've never heard about it w/bladder ca and is typically contained to the gu system. the s/s i've read are revolved around hematuria....i'll be glad to do any sort of research for you. please let me know.

[canoehead]

You know Jane, every time I come onto this board you have been hit with something else to cope with. I don't know how you are doing it, but you sure sound sane and together. Wish I had the expertise to make something about this illness easier for you.

I keep hoping for some good news, and my love is coming your way.

[Tweety]

Sorry to hear that Jay-Jay. Best wishes.

[Jay-Jay]

Thank you all for your good wishes! Your support and kindness is very much appreciated.

Tina, I really, really wish I COULD give you some good news, but the long and the short of it is, I think my husband is going to die. He has gone from 190 lbs. on January 27, when he suffered the stroke to 145 lbs. He has NO appetite to speak of. Eating makes him nauseated. They've done all sorts of tests and scans, and cannot find a cause. His total intake tonight was 1 small plastic container of jello, plus a bit of pineapple juice (he's taking fluids okay, but HATES Ensure, Resource, etc.) If this keeps up, and it's been this way for a number of weeks, he is not going to survive.

Now, in my nursing experience, I've only discovered two things that can cause this severe a loss of appetite. One is cancer, with a bowel obstruction, and the other is terminal kidney failure. His creatinine and urea have gone back to normal since the bladder hemorhage stopped. What else could it be??

[Jay-Jay]

Earle, to answer your question, the way the doctor explained it, a pseudo-obstruction happens because the person gets so sick that the bowel just shuts down. I guess peristalsis temporarily stops, creating the same symptoms as a physical obstruction.

[CCU NRS]

Sorry to hear about your problems and my prayers go out for you and DH.

Question what is his age and how long has the Dx been know?

If the bowel has not shut down he could recive Tube feeds and if so he could recieve Hyperal or TPN is he currently hospitalized?

Bladder CA can mets, this is why something should be done fairly quickly do you have a good uroligist? A bladder removal with urostomy or faux bladder. They have bladder implants now and there has always been urosotmy. If he is still farily young and in otherwise decent health. You do not want it to reacha a kidney failure level. also if it mets to lung or bowel you will be in real dire straights.