, a surgery to remove my uterus, so I knew it couldn't be my period."That's strange," I thought, concerned.
When I went to the bathroom again later that day, I saw more blood. I knew something was wrong. I called my doctor, who was able to see me within 24 hours. I was diagnosed with aI was also sent to a urologist at a local hospital. I saw him for the next two years as I struggled with constantly recurring UTIs. Every time one would clear up after treatment, I'd get another one.
Meanwhile, I felt awful. I was losing weight. I had severe pain in my lower back. And I was so, so tired. I kept thinking,"Is this going to be my life? Am I just going to feel terrible forever?" Finally, in August of 2016, I told my doctor I wanted a second opinion. I saw another provider who scheduled a second cystoscopy, since the first one hadn't shown anything. My parents insisted on accompanying me to the appointment, and we chatted happily in the waiting room until my name was called.
Within a few seconds of turning the camera on to start the procedure, the doctor stopped. He and the nurse were silent. I looked at the screen and saw what looked like a big piece of broccoli inside my bladder."What's that?" I asked.I was shocked. I was only 53 years old. I had seen a urologist for two years, and he never even brought up cancer as a possibility. I think it didn't occur to him because I was relatively young.