My Story

My Bladder Cancer Journey: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Urologist 

Hmmm... My Pee Definitely Shouldn't Look Like That 

November 2021 – There I was, standing over the toilet, admiring the strange hue in my urine, like it was a mood ring for my insides. I’d seen this mystery color pop up before, but like any reasonable adult, I thought, "Eh, maybe I just worked out too hard or have a UTI. It'll clear up." Spoiler: It did not, in fact, clear up. 

The Denial Olympics Begin 

December 2021 – Off on a 7-day cruise with my wife, where the only thing more concerning than my pee was the buffet line. Unfortunately, the situation in the toilet bowl wasn’t getting any better. One day, it looked like I passed a tiny red sea monster. That was the moment my wife moved from concerned to "you’re-going-to-the-doctor" mode. Fast forward to our return, my primary care doc rules out infection faster than you can say, "Urologist referral!" 

The Discovery Channel 

Late December 2021 – A week later, I’m gearing up to have a camera go where no camera should ever go while I’m fully conscious. As the screen showed my bladder in all its internal glory, my urologist casually drops, "Oh yeah, that looks like cancer." Excuse me? Not exactly a phrase you want delivered with the same tone as “pass the salt.” He reassured me with, “But we’ll biopsy it to be sure,” like that was supposed to calm me down. A biopsy was taken, and surgery to remove the 2cm mass was scheduled for the next week. Happy New Year, indeed. 

The News No One Wants 

January 2022 – After what felt like the longest wait of my life, my wife and I were summoned to hear the results. Yep, it was cancer. Stage T1, still confined to the bladder, and they recommended BCG immunotherapy, which sounded like the least invasive option. But because my urologist was a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy, he sent my labs to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion. You know, just to keep things spicy. 

Baltimore or Bust 

February 2022 – Johns Hopkins, here we come! My new urologist reviewed the findings, agreed with the original T1 assessment, and confirmed BCG was the way to go. Great news! Or so I thought... he casually mentioned he was still waiting on some additional pathology results, but he seemed pretty confident. I felt good about it, until... 

Plot Twist: More News! 

March 2022 – One week after my consultation, sitting innocently in my driveway, I get a call from Johns Hopkins. “Uh, yeah... turns out the cancer is actually T2, muscle-invasive, and aggressive.” Well, that escalated quickly. Now it was time for chemotherapy and the big one: a radical cystectomy. My bladder and I were about to part ways, and, oh, I also needed an oncologist. Treatment started immediately, because why waste time when things are about to get serious? 

Chemo: Not the Vacation I Was Hoping For 

March–May 2022 – Chemo time, baby! Cisplatin and gemcitabine, in case you’re curious about my new best friends. Weekly visits to the oncologist took a toll, especially when they had to jack up my white blood count. If you’ve never felt bone-deep exhaustion and general ickiness, chemo’s your ticket to that party. By mid-May, I was done and ready for the next step: surgery. 

The Two-for-One Special 

June 2022 – Just when I thought things couldn’t get more exciting, a CT scan revealed I had a mass on my spleen. The solution? "Let’s take that out during your cystectomy," my surgeon said. I’m sure my insurance company was thrilled at this efficient approach. One surgery, two missing organs—what a bargain! 

The Big Slice 

June 22, 2022 – Surgery Day! After six hours, I emerged from the OR with a fancy new scar from mid-chest to groin, looking like a zipper. Tethered to pain pumps, I walked the hospital halls like a veteran of the abdominal surgery Olympics. I was 3 organs lighter, bladder, prostate and spleen a radical weight reduction program I hope never to repeat. My surgeon assured me everything went smoothly, but now we waited on the pathology results. Fun times. 

My New Normal: Life with a Bonus Bag 

July 2022 – Back home, adjusting to life with an ileostomy bag and lots of couch time. I went from bladder to bag in the blink of an eye. The good news? Pathology showed no cancer in the lymph nodes!  

Grateful and Hopeful (With a Side of Tinnitus) 

October 2024 – Fast forward to now: I’ve made a full recovery! Sure, my strength isn’t what it used to be, and my ears ring like a rock concert after-party. But hey, I’m here. Quarterly oncologist visits and the occasional CT scan keep me on my toes, but so far, so good. Here's hoping this remission sticks around for a long time. 

And that, folks, is how you turn a bladder cancer diagnosis into an unexpected life adventure. 

John Morley – Bladder Cancer Survivor & Patient Advocate 

John Morley is a bladder cancer survivor, patient advocate, and storyteller dedicated to raising awareness about life after a cancer diagnosis. In 2021, what started as an unusual change in his urine led to a shocking diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (Stage T2). After undergoing chemotherapy, a radical cystectomy, and the removal of his bladder, prostate and spleen, he embraced a new normal—one that includes an ileostomy bag, resilience, and a commitment to advocacy. 

Now cancer-free, John Morley shares his journey to help others navigate the physical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment and survivorship. He believes in humor, honesty, and hope as tools for empowerment and aims to support patients facing similar diagnoses. Whether through public speaking, writing, or engaging with online communities, he’s passionate about destigmatizing life after bladder cancer and raising awareness about early detection.