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Meet Bladder Cancer Warrior Mike and His Wife and Care Partner, Heidi

© Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates 2025 02/25 cp-482994v1

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson
Written by Mike V.

Every patient’s experience is unique and not representative of all patients.

Mike and Heidi are volunteers with the SHARE Network, a Johnson & Johnson program made up of people who are dedicated to inspiring others through their personal health journeys and stories of caring. Mike is a real patient and Heidi is his wife and care partner. They have been compensated by Johnson & Johnson for their time to develop this content. Every patient’s experience is unique and not representative of all patients.

At 46, Mike—a husband, father of three, and assistant principal—knew something was wrong when his bathroom habits changed drastically. He tracked his frequent bathroom visits and memorized the quickest routes to restrooms, though he was often stopped by teachers or students along the way. His wardrobe shifted too, favoring comfort over formality by leaving his shirt untucked and wearing looser clothes.

Within a week, Mike and his wife, Heidi, a teacher, made an appointment with a urologist. Three months and many appointments and tests later, Mike finally got an answer: he had non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in males, but it's less common in females. It was estimated that more than 83,000 people would be diagnosed in the US in 2024.1 NMIBC is cancer found in the tissue that lines the inner surface of the bladder. The bladder muscle is not involved.2 NMIBC represents about 75% of new bladder cancer cases diagnosed in the United States in 2015.3

Mike's diagnosis came as a shock. He had no family history, wasn’t a smoker, and was younger than the average patient—most are diagnosed after 55, with the average age of 73.1 While common risk factors include smoking, genetics, and chemical exposure, bladder cancer can happen to anyone.4

While NMIBC generally has a favorable survival prognosis, recurrence is common,3 and it can be sometimes difficult to treat. Mike soon learned that, in his case, his options were limited. The standard of care in certain kinds of bladder cancer treatment hasn’t significantly changed in 40 years; the most common of which is a procedure called Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy.5 Other treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.6 There continues to be a need for additional treatment options.

Class Schedule: Journey to Diagnosis

Delays in diagnosis can worsen a patient's prognosis and limit their treatment options.7 Mike had to wait weeks between appointments, and more than four months passed before his treatment began.

Advocacy is important when patients are seeking a diagnosis. Throughout the process, Heidi became Mike’s greatest advocate, learning everything she could about his condition and calling the cancer center daily to request an earlier appointment. Her persistence was eventually successful.

Seeking information, Mike turned, as most people in a new situation do, to the internet, starting with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network’s (BCAN) website and podcast. He was a casual TikTok user, occasionally filming dance challenges or looking for recipes. He wanted to see what other people with bladder cancer were saying, but there wasn’t much there. He decided to fill that gap by sharing his experience, speaking transparently about each step of his journey and hoping to help others.

Studying Up: Navigating Bladder Cancer Treatment

Mike makes informed decisions by having a trusted relationship with his treatment team while also educating himself and seeking second opinions when appropriate. His treatment began with six weeks of BCG therapy, a procedure where a modified version of the tuberculosis vaccine is inserted into the bladder via the urethra.8 Mike felt fortunate to avoid chemotherapy but wished he had more options.

The process is, as Mike puts it, “unpleasant and tiring.”

In the summer, when teachers are typically off, Mike and Heidi had full-time jobs as patient and care partner. Later, Mike underwent surgery to remove his bladder tumors. This kept his family homebound, and family trips were put on hold. Mike and Heidi’s teenage sons and Mike’s father took turns helping with caregiving duties.

Heidi has been an unwavering partner and care partner, and Mike never forgets how fortunate he is to have her by his side. She’s taken on his treatment plan as if it were her own and made it clear that Mike is not alone on this journey. Heidi even sought out additional training in wound and catheter care from a nurse friend to help keep Mike comfortable. Her proactive and nurturing approach has been a crucial part of his recovery.

Report Cards: Life A Year Later

Despite the uncertainty of the future, Mike and Heidi remain resilient. Known for their meticulous planning—whether it’s lesson plans or theater trips—they’ve adopted a new mindset, taking things one step at a time.

Mike enjoys connecting with patients and care partners who watch his TikTok videos and has even been recognized in town as “the guy from TikTok!” He’s talked to other patients from as far away as the United Kingdom—and as close to home as a former student, who commented warmly on one of his videos, “Of course you’d be here, helping other people.” He’s learned some exercises he can do to build his strength, and he feels his energy returning. He has found encouragement and camaraderie through Man Up to Cancer, a community that shares resources and encourages men living with cancer to connect with and support each other.

At Mike’s most recent appointment, there was no evidence of disease, and his BCG treatment is scheduled to conclude in January 2025. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Final Grades: Advice to Others Like Mike and Heidi

While this diagnosis has been a challenge, Mike and Heidi have emerged with wisdom and have learned patience, resilience, and how to accept cancelled plans. They have advice for others, too. Patients and care partners should advocate for themselves and push for answers from their healthcare providers. Finding—or creating—a community for support, whether in-person or virtual is critical; Mike is growing his following on TikTok at @mistervee3.

Above all, Mike and Heidi advise others to find their joy and hope. “We came through this as a family,” Mike says. “We’re stronger for it.”




We partnered with Johnson & Johnson to share my story, raise awareness, and educate about bladder cancer. If you also have a story to share like mine, I hope you will consider joining the SHARE Network.

References:

  1. American Cancer Society. Key statistics for bladder cancer. Accessed October 17, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
  2. American Cancer Society. What is Bladder Cancer? Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bladder-cancer/about/what-is-bladder-cancer.html
  3. Grabe-Heyne K, Henne C, Mariappan P, Geiges G, Pöhlmann J, Pollock RF. Intermediate and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: an overview of epidemiology, burden, and unmet needs. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1170124. doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1170124
  4. American Cancer Society. Bladder cancer risk factors. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
  5. Jiang S, Redelman-Sidi G. BCG in bladder cancer immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(13):3073. doi:10.3390/cancers14133073
  6. American Cancer Society. Treating bladder cancer. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/treating.html
  7. Dogan C, et al. The delay in the diagnosis and treatment of newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr Health Sci. 2022;22(3):241-249. doi:10.4314/ahs.v22i3.26
  8. American Cancer Society. Intravesical Therapy for Bladder Cancer. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bladder-cancer/treating/intravesical-therapy.html