Cancer,BCG & me

16 years 8 months ago #6798 by Rosie
Replied by Rosie on topic Cancer,BCG & me
I wondered also when I read Texas Tommy's BCG for a low grade tumor. There was a neighbor of mine who was being treated for bladder cancer by a local urologist. The neighbor also had a TA low grade papillary as the original tumor. His urologist gave him a choice of BCG treatments saying "you don't have to, but it could be a safe guard." The neighbor chose not to have it done. Rosie

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16 years 8 months ago #6794 by timb
Replied by timb on topic Cancer,BCG & me
I was just about to ask the same thing Rosemary! Then I got that notice warning me a new reply had been posted! Most docs here in the UK would adopt a watch and wait approach for a single tumour with that pathology. It is quite large but that doesn't necessarily mean much. No other tumour present? CIS or anything? It seems quite an aggressive regimen for a first presentation of low grade, superficial tumour Tommy. Maybe your docs are the super cautious type.

all the best

Tim

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16 years 8 months ago #6792 by Rosemary
Replied by Rosemary on topic Cancer,BCG & me
Hey Tommy!

Welcome to our board, and thanks for sharing your experience.

I can totally relate to your BCG experience and it is interesting to compare notes.

My severe burning and bleeding did not begin until after the 9th treatment. (The first 6 treatments were a breeze.) The Doctor reduced dosage to one third on the last 3 (I've had 12 in all), but I did not notice any difference in severity of burning and bleeding with the reduction. According to many people who know, this reduction should have helped.

Just a question. ...With your low grade diagnosis, why did your doctor determine the BCG route? Every doctor seems to see this differently, but some will not prescribe BCG for low grade bladder cancer.

Also, good luck with the cysto in August.

Your new friend,
Rosemary

Rosemary
Age - 55
T1 G3 - Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006

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16 years 8 months ago #6789 by tommyt
Cancer,BCG & me was created by tommyt
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in Oct 06. Because of no bleeding and a constant urge to pee, we (doctor and myself) originally thought it might be my prostrate. After a sonogram, IVP, and a cystcope, it was determined to be cancer of the bladder. Surgery was performed on Oct 31 and the path results were not to bad. Ta Low Grade MoNo 5cm. Six weeks later, I began my fist 6 sessions of BCG. Started off a breeze, but by number 4 each treatment became more and more severe. After a months break of treatments, a cysto showed all clear. 6 weeks later another cysto was clean and I began another series of 3 BCG. Now these 3 were a whole different plan. Very heavy bleeding, passing extremely large clots, and flu like fever and ache. Got through these, another cysto in April 07 and still clean. I have just finished my last of this current round of 3 BCG. The last 3 were of a smaller dosage, thus not as severe as the 2nd round of 3. Glad they are over for now and I am waiting for another cysto Aug 29. Through this ordeal, I have lost about 25 pounds, probably did not hurt :), and besides the day or two after each treatment, I have felt very good. I just want to thank everyone who contributes to this site. What a wealth of information and caring from those on the battlelines. On a second subject, when this all began my prostrate was hard and ridged. This, however, was put on the back burner until my bladder cancer is under control. I guess I still have this new battle to face at some date. Thanks to all

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