Hello all:
It's been 6 months since my last BCG treatments and a bit scary. The 2 years of 3 or 4 month treatments were doing so well (keeping the cancer at bay), waiting 6 months my mind starting to wander. I have a new Urologists that does things a bit different, but follows the same protocol for scheduling BCG. Instead of taking scrapes/biopsies after the BCG treatments, he just looks and if everything looks good, that's it. With my other Uro, there was always a scrape of two, which I had no problem with. This new Uro is suppose to be one of the best and can tell by sight. He says if you keep taking unnecessary scrapes, over time all the scar tissue will not allow the bladder to maintain it's elasticity with all the scar tissue. That makes good sense as long as his vision stays well, plus there shouldn't many clots without scraping. He takes a look a month before the BCG treatments and then takes another look about a month after, an in and out appointment. It's also my decision whether I want the catheter left in for 2 hours, have it removed, go home for the 2 hour turning or stay there. I prefer the catheter to be removed and also stay there. One of the worst treatments I had was driving home and I think the drive home with the BCG sitting in the bottom of my bladder, irritated things more than usual and the burning was a bit sharper. I will admit, holding in the BCG was easy, wondering if the 6 almost 7 month layoff made it easier to handle. I'm home now with my routine, drank about 20 ounces of water, 2 cans of chicken soup, some more water and hitting the soup again. This seems to work for me? I'm hoping the best for everyone in this group and as usual you're all a bunch of great information and inspiration!!! Jay
