You are a bladder cancer survivor. Congratulations. >>Thank you.
>>Talk to us about your diagnosis. When did you know something wasn't right. >>It was actually
five years ago in 2018, I had a tinge of redness in my urine. And I knew at that point something
was wrong because obviously your urine should not have any type of color of red to it. So,
I indicated that there was some bleeding in my, in my urine and that prompted me to head off and
talk to my primary care physician. At that point, after they ran some tests, they found a tumor. And
at that point, I was whisked off to Dr. Matt Kaag at Penn State Health. >>So, what was your, what
was going through your mind when they said there's a tumor. >>I was like a bull in a China shop. I
was thought it was the end of my life. I thought it was over. As soon as you see something wrong,
you automatically want to deny it. You don't want to reach out and get help because you're afraid of
what you're going to be told. And that's the worst thing you can do. You need to jump when your body
is telling you something's wrong. You know your body, everybody knows her body. When you realize
there's something wrong, make that phone call and, and get help and there's always something in,
in the mix that will follow through and you can get better. And I was one of the lucky ones.
>>You met doctor Kaag and tell us what was the treatment plan? What did you decide to do? >>So,
Frank arrived to our clinic in a somewhat more advanced stage than what your dad did.
And he had already been started on some chemotherapy, which was an appropriate choice,
but he wasn't tolerating it very well. And he was not a happy camper. I think that's a safe thing to
say. So, I counseled him in favor of having his bladder removed. We talked about different ways
to reconstruct the bladder or reconstruct the area tract so we could get the out of the body
the way it's supposed to. And what we settled on was an operation called a Neobladder. He,
was very quality of life focused and really didn't want any sort of external bag. And so, we were
able to rebuild his bladder with the length of his intestine, and basically give him a reservoir that
holds urine and allows him to pee normally. >>No, that's wonderful, Frank, why don't you tell me as
far as your lifestyle changes? We were talking earlier and you said you made some changes right
away. >>As soon as I heard the word cancer, I was a cigarette smoker. I was also a volunteer
firefighter as well, taking in cars and that sort of thing, but obviously cigarette smoking is just
bad. I didn't wanna give my body a chance to pick up cancer anywhere else. So, actually February 9th
of 2018 was my last cigarette and I've not touched them nor do I can tolerate cigarette smoke at all.
Period. All with that, I really focused on biking. I haven't been out on the trails like I should be
this year yet. But I'm getting there >>The weather is better. >>I'm getting, the track
bikes are getting ready to get moving and, I do a lot of biking and walking as much as possible. I
watched my weight, I'm 50 pounds less than what I was back in 18, and just try to have a very
healthy lifestyle. I have a different viewpoint now and, you know, and I ran, I run ambulance,
back in the day as well. So, you know, you talk to patients, they think it's the end of the earth and
they just need to take care of themselves and, and that's, that's key after a major surgery.
Doctor Kaag operated on me July 16th of 2018 by December 19th of 2018. I was back volunteer or
back on a paramedic unit part time. >>Sound like my dad get back out there and do what you love.
Doctor Kaag. How important is it to like change your lifestyle and keep moving forward? >>It's
incredibly important. My, all-star patients are the ones that engage in their own recovery. And
so I know that I can get somebody like Frank back to normal healthy happy lifestyles quickly because
he was really motivated to get there. And it makes it a really good cooperative effort between the
doctor and the patient when everybody is working for the same goal. >>Frank, what is your message
to our viewers watching tonight? >>The biggest message to the viewers would be when something is
wrong. You know, something is wrong. Whether it's even you're in this different color, you're just
not feeling right. You're, you're having pain, you think it's just a normal headache or whatever,
make a phone call and get checked. It, could save your life if you just don't want to let things
drag on the same thing as I heard earlier. If your car is running wrong or something, go get checked,
don't mess around. >>And doctor Kaag, do you want to echo in on that? >>There's not much to add to
that. I think that's absolutely correct. >>Yeah. So, if you know something's not going right,
go get it checked out, especially when it comes to your bladder. Because if you're treated early,
it's a much better outcome. >>Yes, I agree. Ok. But you're doing wonderful. >>Yes,
I'm very, very happy. I have a great quality of life and I also serve on the bladder cancer
Support Group for Hershey Urology. So, it's the least I could do. >>Ok. Great. Thank you
both for being here. >>Thank you. >>Thank you for sharing your story. >>Thank you.