UOAA Discussion Board

I had my RC the 11th of Aug. The surgery went really well. When all the tubes except the SP were removed (left as a back-up) and I was learning to cath myself, urine started leaking from the vagina. I had a pouch-gram and IVP which confirmed it. I have a small fistula on the left bottom of the pouch. In the mean time, I cannot begin chemo until the leak is fixed. I have been back on full time drainage (through the SP/with bag) trying to get the pouch to shrink and seal itself up for three weeks next week. I am probably looking at another surgery to fix it. I am just curious if anyone else has had this problem. It is great reading the insight of so many long time (and new) pouchers!

I have not had that problem. I hope they can fix it for you, so you can have the chemo.Good luck, let us know what happens.

I saw my surgeon on Tues. I will be having surgery on the 10th of Nov. to fix the problem. They are hoping they can just suture up the hole (the size of a pin head causing all this problem) They will use the same incision site..all 47 staples worth! Hopefully, they will not have to use more bowel to fix it and then the recovery will not be as long. I will once again be on my way using the catheter and on to chemo by Christmas time. Some bumps in the road feel like a pothole, but today I am back to it being a bump. It was such a relief to have that miserable painful bladder removed, the IP was a blessing!!

I'm so sorry you are having this problem. I had my chemo prior to surgery and so glad I did. Had robotic surgery and they removed my cancerous bladder, ovaries, uterus, and gall bladder all at the same time. I am sporting an illeal conduit, which I was told would give me less problems in the future. Sounds like the doctors were right.

I'll be praying for you that your problem gets resolved and that the chemo goes well for you.

~Barb ~