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Been a whole since I updated here.  I'm now 42 (41 when for Turb) and always been a non-smoker.  Had surgery Jan 22, 2009.  Ran through 6 weeks of BCG.
Started maintenance BCG in November.  We're going to do that every 6 months (or 3 months after every scope for two years then re-evaluate).  My tumor was classed as large, aggressive and high-grade.

About to do my last quarterly scope today.  We'll go to every six months after that.

 So far its been clean.

 Issues:

The scope has become a non-event.  I get a bit worked up before-hand, but the procedure is nothing to me.  I know when to relax, take

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No abnormal cells detected.  Doc said everything inside looked good.  We opted to start BCG maintenance in 6 weeks and every 6 months after that till we determine it's not needed.

 It's amazing how I've gotten used to the procedure.  Only thing that bothers me now is the injection of the numbing jell.  When the scope gets close to the prostate I take a deep breath and slowly let it out and I barely feel it.  That's a FAR cry from how it felt the first few times.  Gets to be less and less as I go through this process.

 The after affects are lessening too.  I still get some spasms following the

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Had my 1st scope post-turb and BCG.  Clear.  ;-)

Still waiting on labs from the wash, but there is no new growth.  Mine was aggressive and good-sized so we weren't too sure about it.

 So....3 months and we'll do it again.

 Weird thing....it wasn't bad.  Took longer than the initial, but on that one he saw the tumor right away and there was no point in looking around much.  I might be getting used to this.  Wow....of all things.....  The scope was merely uncomfortable for the passing of the prostate and that's it.  If anything, my bladder bothered me more as it still seems to be tender post-BCG

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Seems to be this stuff is on the rise.  Also....I see that it doesn't seem to be as much of an 'older person's' or 'smoker's' disease.

 BC still doesn't garner much national attention and there are no specific drives for cure, awareness events, or otherwise.

 The more I read accounts and new postings....the more I am convinced the incidence of this is higher and higher.  This is supported by the comment from my urologist during my initial BCG regimine.  He said - 'you're my 4th BCG today.  Seems like I am doing an awful lot of these lately.'.

 Anyway....I have my 1st 6month scope tomorrow. 

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So.....last Saturday was 2 1/2 weeks post BCG (all 6 complete).  I really wanted to get the whole place mowed, but hadn't done more than an hour or so on the tractor since before my TURB in January.

 My wife did the majority of the push mowing and I only did a little here and there.  She did the majority of the rider mower while I only went around edges on the steeper parts (we have 5 acres out in the sticks).  I took the blade off the big tractor and put on the bucket to move a little dirt.  Got 4 loads put up by the house for the boys to play in.

 (note) the boys went to play in it and our

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Okay, it's been about 12 days since I completed my 6-week BCG treatment cycle.  The scope is scheduled for July.

 I'm having intermittent pains in the bladder area.  They started about 4 days ago.  I've only noticed them once or twice a day.  They are not horrible and feel some like the spasms or cramps following a BCG treatment.  I am not having a problem urinating and nothing abnormal is coming out.  My wonder is if this stuff I am feelinig is common AFTER BCG is completed...?  I don't want to be having a problem and not do something about it, but at the same time if it's normal I don't want

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It wouldn't be complete if I didn't tell the tale of the last BCG.

 Office visit was LONG because the doc had been on vacation and everyone wanted to see him.  I told him that is a compliment to him that folks are loyal and patient.  I was the last person to go back....

 The routine was without drama.  I'm glad to have my regular urologist doing this.  His remarks were 'hey, you made it'.  I suppose not all folks finish their treatments.

 Some cramping and some horizontal spasms (first for that one).  Some blood later and some material (tissue) passed.  Affects lasted mostly for about two days. 

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http://www.ncsdf.org/

I, for one, plan to find out what is going on

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So, we know this cancer can be highly-survivable in most instances if it's detected early enough and quality treatment is followed.  The problem is many folks don't even know it exists.  Many folks ignore or don't get the symptoms checked out.  Some balk at the treatment options.  I don't think this is any less deadly and the statistics speak for themselves.

So, why is there not a Bladder Cancer Week or Bladder cancer Awareness week...?  I've looked and can't find anything.

Let me know

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Differnt doc, same practice.  My Dr is on vacation this week with his family so a partner of his did it.  It was clear that though he is familar with the procedure, he isn't as fluid or practiced in it.  To be blunt....he asked if I wanted the gel and then had the end of the catheter up against the wall of my bladder so the solution didn't go in.  The fix....push more catheter in.  I felt it scraping up against the wall.  A return to bleeding followed.  Yippie.  It's over and that's what I wanted.  One more to go.

Affects...?  It falls somewhere between my #2 and #3 weeks.  Cramping, some REAL

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