My collection of survivors from Cancer!!!

At the end of a busy day at work, Sannes' doctor reached him at his office with the test results. The tumor not only was cancerous, but also had progressed to Stage 3, an advanced form. The tumor was growing in toward the bladder. "How is the nursing home going to function, I thought," says Sannes. "I was devastated."

Sannes called his grown sons, who live in different Midwestern cities, and they came to support him. The family turned to Mayo Clinic, Sannes says, noting that his sister was impressed with Mayo after researching bladder cancer on the Internet and his best friend had been treated there for cancer.

Before the surgery, Sannes' doctor informed him that in addition to removing the tumor and reconstructing Sannes' bladder (neobladder surgery), it might be necessary to remove his prostate and some lymph nodes and perform an ileostomy (creation of an opening from the small intestine to the outside of the abdomen for the passing of wastes). He was hesitant about the neobladder procedure. "In the end, I didn't really have a choice." Sannes says. "However, the doctors said that since I was 56 and otherwise in excellent health, I was a good candidate for a successful procedure.

"I had the two most remarkable physicians at Mayo and became very close to them. Their confidence and competency was very important. Before the surgery, I knew that it would go well. I just took a deep breath and said 'Here we go.'"

The surgery did go well. Surgeons removed his prostate and nearby lymph nodes, but an ileostomy wasn't necessary. And the prostate, lymph nodes and urethra were clear of cancer.

When Sannes returned home after the surgery, he felt old and debilitated. He had a urinary catheter in place and experienced some incontinence at night. Within a month, though, he was back to an eight-hour workday, had gained back his weight, and was feeling less tired as the days progressed.

Mayo personnel were encouraging throughout the ordeal, prior to the surgery, and afterward when he struggled a bit (as many patients do) with depression and getting back to a normal sex life. "They become part of our family in the process, although they remained very professional," says Sannes. "My faith and a family support system also got me through."

Today, he has complete urine control and is sexually active. His lifestyle is normal, and he is happy to have avoided the need for a urinary abdominal bag. Sannes has no cancer, and after the surgery had no need for radiation or chemotherapy. He's as energetic as ever and enjoys taking out his pontoon boat and riding his WaveRunner.

Based on his experience, Sannes offers this advice: "If you have symptoms, time is of the essence. And if surgery is necessary, it is going to change your life somewhat. But you can live with it.

"The situation has taught me to put my life in order, that I'm not infallible. I've started thinking more of others, too." The Sannes have made a business of helping others, but perhaps now they have even more compassion than ever.