Bladder Cancer History

vgau,

I think that many people live pretty normal lives (minus the cystos and other treatments). And superficial is certainly different than invasive.

I was first dx in March 2006 - 1 papillary tumor, non-invasive. Then had 4 tumors in Sept 2006 and 11 tumors in January 2007 - all probably the result of seeding from the first. The uro in 2007 did 30 min of mitomycin post TURB and then did a saline flush for 24 hours. I have had the regular 6 weeks and then quarterly BCGs since, and have been cancer free since.

I exercise regularly, drink moderately (mostly watching sports at a local bar), try to watch what I eat, and do not smoke. I do take cholesterol medicine and fully expect that something else other than bladder cancer will take me (hopefully many years from now). The regular check ups actually give me a little piece of mind that if I do have a recurrence, at least I will have caught it as early as possible.

Ross

12/07 non invasive pap TCC.

May have come back 04/08 with focal CIS. cysto and fish were negative, 5 pathologist, 2 from the hospital and 3 from a lab saw nothing, one saw cis. Had 15th BCG treatment today.

Joey

Steve has been cancer free since July, 2005 with no recurrence.

He had his 1st TURB with hs urologist in July, 2005 where he removed the tumor and the CIS. He was then referred to his urologic oncologist who performed a 2nd TURB in August, 2005 and found residual CIS, but it was not a recurrence.

He has since completed 27 full strength BCG treatments. After his initial 6 BCG treatments he's had maintenance treatments every six months and finished them in April, 2009.

...Cheryl

Did he complete his treatment in 2005 and been cancer free since then?

My cancer story is very condensed indeed
* 06/10/08 Needed a full physical to renew my racing licence with Skip Barber. Dr. found blood in my urine and ordered a blood and urine workup and an ultrasound.
* As soon as the ultrasound results were shown my Dr. made an appointment with Albany Med urology dept. for following day.
* By 9:30 next day, I was informed by the Oncologist Urologist that I had bladder cancer (we both watched it in living color on TV)
* My first TURB was 10 days later
* My second TURB was 2 weeks after that
* My RC was 5 days after that! My Dr was NOT going to wait around and watch this thing (5 tumors) take over.

Unfortunatly, I did not know a thing about this site then and was flying by the seat of my pants! I did know enough to ask for a second opinion and my surgeon showed me where he had sent my info to 3 other Bladder Specialists and they all concurred with his diagnosis.
I also had a friend who called me and offered to take me to MD Anderson, as he "knew a few people" My surgeon was gracious and said it was THE place to go...... He should know, he worked there!
I know that Albany Medical Center does not figure to be high on the Bladder Cancer places to go, But I feel as though they took great care of me.

I also must compliment my primary physician for the diagnosis! I have seen some on this site who have had months of tests and misdiagnosis before they said, bladder cancer.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

George

Originally dx Jan 2006, 3 tumors, one being large,
Path report TA low grade
Started BCG due to the size of the 1 tumor
Had 2 recurrences during first 18 months year, single tumors still TA low grade
Had problems with UTI's during BCG treatments (5)
Completed 30 BCG treatments Feb. 2009.
Last Turbt Nov. 10/2007
Cancer free now over 2 years
Will have 3 month Cystos until 3 years clear
Jack