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What began as a summer family vacation in New York ended with a bladder cancer diagnosis for Houston-area resident Bill Hennessey.

He¡¯d had blood in his urine off and on for about a month but thought it was due to kidney stones. But when it went from a little blood in the urine once or twice a week to a steady stream of blood every day, he told his wife he needed to get it checked out.

The doctor at the urgent care center felt around Bill¡¯s abdomen and said he needed to go to the emergency room right away. An MRI revealed a 2.5 cm tumor in his bladder.

¡°Not only was my family on vacation, but I was in the process of selling a home and a boat,¡± says Bill, who was 70 at the time. ¡°So, there was a lot going on.¡±

He was able to see a urologist in New York to have the tumor removed. He was diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma, a common type of bladder cancer. The tumor was low grade and non-invasive, which meant it had not spread beyond the inner lining of his bladder.

After surgery, doctors wanted to start Bill on a weekly chemotherapy called gemcitabine which would be placed in the bladder as a washing. Since he would be returning home soon, they suggested he start the treatment there.

While chatting with one of the doctors, Bill mentioned that he lived near MD Anderson and asked if he should go there for treatment. ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d go to MD Anderson,¡± Bill recalls her saying. 

Bladder cancer treatment at MD Anderson

Bill¡¯s first appointment was Sept. 22, 2022. He met urologic oncologist

¡°Dr. Navai explained that MD Anderson would do their own testing to confirm my diagnosis,¡± says Bill. ¡°Then we¡¯d go over my treatment plan.¡±

Navai performed a cystoscopy and biopsy on Sept. 30. He found no cancer present, so he recommended Bill get six doses of weekly intravesical therapy to help prevent bladder cancer recurrence, as well as one year of monthly maintenance, which included surveillance cystoscopies.

During intravesical therapy, doctors used a catheter to deliver the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine directly into Bill¡¯s bladder.

A cystoscopy in February 2023 revealed that the cancer had come back. Navai removed several small tumors from Bill¡¯s bladder. Bill continued with another six weeks of gemcitabine. Then he had a cystoscopy on July 7 followed by another six weeks of gemcitabine.

¡°Each time I¡¯d go for a cystoscopy, there were less and less tumors,¡± he says.

Finally, a cystoscopy and biopsy in December 2023 showed no evidence of cancer. 

¡°The first time the cancer came back was a shock,¡± recalls Bill. ¡°Then each time after that, you¡¯re always a little worried about the results ¨C that the cancer could come back. It felt great to hear that I was cancer-free.¡±

MD Anderson¡¯s compassionate care helped ease anxiety

Bill did not have any side effects from treatment. In fact, he said the worst part was the discomfort he felt when the catheter or cystoscope were placed.

¡°I¡¯ve had my fair share of cystoscopies, more than I can count,¡± says Bill. ¡°At first, I was a little scared. My doctors in New York were great, but as my treatment progressed, I noticed another level of care at MD Anderson.¡±

This care included putting bandages on the catheter to keep it from moving and causing more discomfort while receiving chemo and telling Bill about a pill he could take to reduce cramping.

¡°The nurses gave me really good tips on how to relax before getting a cystoscopy, and that really made a difference,¡± he says. ¡°MD Anderson would just take those extra steps to make you feel comfortable. My care team was wonderful, and their attitude made me feel relaxed. Their level of care is terrific.¡±

Focused on staying healthy

Since Bill has been cancer-free for over a year, he now comes to MD Anderson for surveillance cystoscopies every six months. His last round of gemcitabine was in April 2025. 

¡°It¡¯s funny in a way because even though I didn¡¯t want to go through chemo every week, I did for quite a while, then monthly,¡± he says. ¡°I was a little disappointed that I had to wait six months to come back for my surveillance cystoscopy. I feel very cared for and safe at MD Anderson, almost like a security blanket. But I know it¡¯s a blessing to be at the point where I don¡¯t have to come as often.¡±

Bill owns a small business, so he¡¯s been working some and taking vacations with his wife when time allows.

¡°I value my health more now. I watch my diet, exercise and drink less alcohol,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯ve been swimming for years, so I swim a lot, too. I listen to my doctors and do what they tell me to do. And I never miss an appointment.¡±

He¡¯s always happy to share his experience with others facing cancer diagnoses. His main piece of advice? ¡°Don¡¯t diagnose yourself. Go to the experts.¡±

¡°I¡¯d told myself I had kidney stones, but I¡¯m glad I didn¡¯t push my self-diagnosis too far, or else I might not have gotten the treatment I needed,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯m thankful for the support from my family, and I feel so blessed to have been treated by the great people at MD Anderson.¡±

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Bill Hennessey with his wife, Margaret