I received 6 induction instillations starting in mid-November and ending the last day of 2019 in an effort to treat high grade non-invasive papillary carcinoma.
I can tell you that
for me, in hindsight, the first instillation was almost a non-event. The worst part of that first treatment was the anxiety associated with not knowing exactly what was to come and a stiff neck from sitting in the same position for 6 hours watching TV. The second and third treatments were very uncomfortable, BUT ONLY for a few hours and ONLY while urinating. Eight hours after the instillation I was back to 90% of my old self, then I went to bed and awoke the next day free of any side effects. Sessions 4 through 6 were progressively
more tolerable, the 6th being as easy as the first.
It's been over 40 years since BCG was first used as an immunotherapy to treat superficial bladder cancer. Despite its limitations, to date it has not been surpassed by any other treatment. In the face of its potential for toxicity and failure to produce the desired clinical effect in a significant cohort of patients
1, including me (see next paragraph), I have no regrets over my decision to undergo BCG induction therapy and will forge ahead with BCG maintenance, if deemed appropriate by my urologist.
Today I went for my first cystoscopy, post BCG induction, and a small cluster of abnormal cells (tumor) was observed. Another biopsy will be scheduled soon. Doctor said it doesn't look as if its high grade (he said that the last time also, but pathology report stated otherwise). As always I hope for the best and prepare emotionally for the worst. Meanwhile, In between having my bladder poked, prodded, and bathed in BCG (Bladder Cancer Getter) I have been and will continue to wring every bit of joy out of life that I'm able. Skiing Whiteface Mtn. (site of 1980 Olympic alpine skiing events) with grandchildren next week, Miami Heat game and horse racing at Gulfstream Park the following, and Sicily in March. I will have to fit a biopsy in there somewhere. While I can't control those slices of my life impacted by bladder cancer (TURBTs, cystoscopies, BCG treatments) I remain able to control
many other things, including my attitude. Even in the face of a few minor setbacks, I still believe I'm beating cancer one day at a time.
Best of luck to you BadBladd, no matter your course of action.
1
www.dovepress.com/immunotherapy-for-bladder-cancer-peer-reviewed-article-RRU