Sherry Hampton shares some quiet time with her newborn grandson Abel, who was born the same day that his grandmother learned she was cancer-free following bladder removal surgery.
Sherry Hampton of Columbus recalls with great joy the day in late March of this year that she learned she was cancer free after surgery to remove her tumorous bladder.
“I told everybody I got blessed more in one day than any human should be allowed,” said Hampton, 58.
Hampton’s surgeon at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis brought her the welcome news that her cancer had been completely removed, and that there would be no need for chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
But that was just the beginning.
Upon her release from the hospital that day, six days after an aggressive urinary bladder removal surgery, she headed straight to Columbus Regional Hospital, where her grandson Abel had just come into the world.
“I just wanted to get my hands on my grandson,” she said.
Soon after, Hampton’s son, Justin, a Columbus postal carrier, found himself the temporary in-home care provider for his mother as well as his wife, Tiffany, Abel, and his other children, Hampton said.
“My son is so, so good-hearted,” said Hampton, who is disabled after a career in customer service. After her surgery, she receives follow-up care from CRH oncologist Dr. Nadeem Ikhlaque.
Bladder pain, urinary tract infections and kidney issues had been common for Hampton throughout her life since childhood, she said, but she began experiencing unusually severe pain in August 2022. She was diagnosed with a UTI, and because her pain was so severe, the decision also was made at that time to remove her appendix.
But the pain persisted afterward. “It never eased up,” Hampton said.
She was in and out of the hospital for extended periods until she said a 2-inch tumor was located on her bladder in February. Bladder removal surgery was required, and Hampton knew what the procedure would mean: She would require the use of a urostomy bag for the rest of her life.
Hampton said the last thing she wanted was people feeling sorry for her about the news of her diagnosis and concerns about how it would change her life.
“Here’s how I looked at it,” she said. “I would tell them, ‘I’m not sitting here crying,’” so she didn’t want to see tears shed for her.
“I walk in faith. Whatever God has planned for me, that’s what I have to go through.”
Yet Hampton confesses that she was worried initially about how she would manage being reliant on a stoma and a urostomy bag. She said it turned out that was a needless concern. “1-2-3, 1-2-3, it’s a routine,” she said.
And that’s part of why Hampton said she wanted to share her story — what can seem like a worrisome prospect for those facing a diagnosis like hers is in fact manageable with the proper care. She said the adjustment after bladder removal surgery has been fairly, well, painless.
“Make sure you ask lots of questions,” she advised. “Make sure you get the wound care you need. Make sure you have good follow-up.”
Hampton also said she has found useful resources such as a women’s urostomy group on Facebook where members share helpful and knowledgeable information.
She noted her diagnosis came the day before the birthday of an aunt who died of cancer, and her surgery took place the day before the birthday of her mother, who also died from cancer.
“I had an opportunity that they never had,” she said.
Meantime, Hampton said her curious young grandkids were full of questions for her, and she found a good way to explain to them — “sometimes the doctor has to break you a little to fix you right.”
Through it all, Hampton said she has retained her optimistic outlook and sense of humor.
“I’m the person that likes to find the funny in everything,” she said. “Look, I’m going to be a bag lady for the rest of my life.”
