Hi - I was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer.
I had a TURB two weeks ago (Jan 21st) and had a catheter for five days. I think the code for my cancer is TaN0M0 - Stage 0a. That's noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma.
Upon removal, My Dr. and I discussed the pathology. First, he told me what they found in me was not life threatening. He also told me it was high grade superficial tumor / polyp and that the abnormal cell count was low. He also told me the pathology tends to "round up" to high grade as a point of caution, suggesting that mine was barely 'high grade.'
He told me because of my age and based on his experience, I had a 50/50 chance of recurrence; and his recommendation was to get rechecked in 90 days.
I asked him about BCG and he told me he'd do it if I wanted it, but he thought in my case the possible side effects didn't justify doing it; in my case.
So here I am, two weeks after my TURB. I'm hydrating more than I ever have in my life and I'm having to pee every 30 minutes. Sometimes it burns sometimes worse than other times (especially if there's any blood).
I know I'm healing because of a "deep itch."
After I evacuate my bladder, there are visible traces of blood and sometimes what appears to be a clot or something (rarely, now). Normal?
I occasionally feel pain, especially after activity. Normal?
Erections are still painful. Normal?
So, I'm back and forth on the BCG.
I'm worried about my cancer becoming life threatening because I chose not to go through 10 weeks of BCG treatment.
Overall - I feel like I'm adrift; and I'm worried; but I feel justified in being worried.
Anyone else been down this road?