In November 2019, Margo Wickersham noticed blood in her urine. Three months later, she was diagnosed with two types of bladder cancer. After an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, she underwent a radical cystectomy and a hysterectomy in June 2020, resulting in the removal of her bladder, uterus and ovaries, all this during the quarantine phase of the COVID pandemic. Ever since, Margo has been cancer-free, but she had to get fitted with a stoma bag and had to learn how to manage it. The bag is an annoyance, but she considers it a small price to pay in order to stay alive.

When Margo first noticed blood in her urine, she sought medical attention, thinking she had a urinary tract infection. It turned out she didn't have a UTI, but she still thought something was wrong. She underwent a cystoscopy, which captured a photo of a cauliflower-shaped tumor in her bladder. Next up was a biopsy, which indicated she had Stage One bladder cancer. Her urologist prescribed BCG immunotherapy.

Margo sought a second opinion and her doctor ruled out BCG, because further probing turned up a second type of bladder cancer, plasmacytoid, and said it could not be addressed with BCG. He called for an aggressive chemotherapy regimen. He also said in addition to a radical cystectomy, which would remove Margo's bladder, he said a hysterectomy would be necessary, a procedure that would remove her uterus and ovaries.

Both were performed in June 2020. Because that was during the quarantine phase of the COVID pandemic, neither Margo's husband nor members of her family could visit her.

After the procedures, Margo was cancer-free. However, her life would never be the same after she had to wear a stoma bag into which her urine would go. Sometimes the bag leaks when filled beyond its capacity. She accepts this as her new normal and says she can deal with it, but has to think ahead in terms of access to a bathroom.

By way of advice, Margo says one's primary emotion should be that of hope and not stress.

Additional Resources:

Support Group:

Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network https://www.bcan.org

Margo's Book, available on Amazon and Kindle: Gratitude in the Storm – When Not Dying Is Enough to Keep Fighting

Margo's merchandise line: www.ThriverSurvivor.shop, with a portion of the revenue going to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, to fund bladder cancer research