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Hi, my Name is Wendy and I am 51 years old. In April and September 2010 I presented with gross hermaturia. Went to my GP (general practioner) and after a urine test she prescribed an antibiotic for a UTI. After 2 days on both occasions the bleeding stopped. Then in February 2011 it started again. My GP again tested for an infection, gave me an antibiotic. After 7 days the appearance of blood had not subsided and my GP referred me to a Urologist.

I went to see the urologist and he suggested that I be booked into hospital as he would need to perform a cystoscopy and wanted me to have an IVP

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My 78 year old father was diagnosed with a Stage 1 T1 Grade 3 tumor in Jul 2009. He successfully went through a TURBT and six BCG treatments with minimal side effects. In Mar 2010 he had a follow-on biopsy ... good news; no evidence of the cancer. Then he started BCG maintenance in May 2010. We had 3 treatments scheduled. After the second treatment he started shedding the lining of his bladder so we stopped treatment. Here is the issue: he has pretty significant burning when he urinates. This started with the BCG maintenance treatments in May and still continues today (3 months). He had

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I'm a 47-year old female (non-smoker) who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in March 2010.  My pathology showed high grade papillary urothelial carcinoma with superficial invasion into the lamina propria.  I've gotten 3 opinions and my options are BCG therapy or cystectomy (neobladder).  I'm afraid to do the BCG therapy because of the the low cure rate and high return rate.  I know the cystectomy has a higher cure rate, but has a high rate of complications.  Does anyone have any advice for me?  I have 2 teenagers that need their

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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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At our family Christmas gathering, we all gave small speeches. This was mine and looked at the positives of my cancer experience.

  

I am going to relate to you all tonight something about my cancer experience. Experience can be defined as the accumulation of knowledge that results from direct participation in events or activities. Well, I have definitely been a direct participant in this. But what have I learnt? What has cancer taught me?

Firstly, our lives are incredibly fragile. Even though our bodies are resilient and have astonishing powers of healing, none of us knows how long or how

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I have created a flow chart for bladder cancer patients.  It can pretty much be used at any time from initial concern about the potential of having bladder cancer through various stages of treatment.

 My hope is that people will find this useful.  Rather than posting it everywhere and having to try to maintain version control on a number of sites, I am putting the link to ABLCS forum where I originally posted it.

I am not a doctor but I do have a good bit of experience as a bladder cancer patient.  This guide has been reviewed by a number of other bladder cancer survivors as well.

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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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I am a 43 year old male recently diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinmoa of the Renal Pelvis and Carcinoma in-situ of the upper ureter. I have just had the results of my first cystoscopy three months after my radical nephrectomy - they were clear. The surgery was on the 21st of April. Over the last five weeks, I have had adjuvant chemotherapy (carbo) and radiation treatment of the kidney bed to prevent seeding. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar treatment and what your experiences of it are. In three months time, I will have to have a sonar of my kidney bed. I see that the 5

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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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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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