What NOT to say

[tavalon]

12. Yes, yes and yes

My hubby went two years without telling me about his bleeding because he was afraid it might be an STD or an STI or whatever the current abbreviation is. Within a two week period we have had to deal with infidelity and cancer. I would never, ever tell him "you should've........." He didn't know and he's busy beating himself up enough for both of us. I keep telling him he couldn't have known and that it's water under the bridge. And it is. I'm still angry, but not at him. I'm angry that all people ever mention are prostate, lung and colon cancer. I'm angry that hardly any of us ever hear about bladder cancer until it strikes.

When is the last time you heard about bladder cancer? I hadn't and I'm a nurse. Now granted, oncology isn't my field of expertise (it is now, after a marathon education). Bladder cancer is the fourth leading cancer in men. We can talk about the colon but not the bladder? What the fuck is that about?

Public Service Announcement. If you are a man over forty and have bleeding from your urethra. Go to a doctor immediately. If your insurance allows, skip the middle man and go straight to a urologist. if it is a UTI, take your meds and thank your lucky stars.