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Jim...shit! Talk about a double whammy...

What does this mean for you and your future with immunotherapy..were you planning on getting maintenance BCG? What about perhaps BCG+IFN? There's a new option in phase III trials now that sounds very interesting indeed, that would be Urocidin:
http://blcwebcafe.org/urocidin.asp It works as both an immuotherapy and as a chemotherapeutic agent too.

About your wife, I'm so sorry for you both. I guess you know I'm a breast cancer survivor (my sister had bladder cancer, TaG1). I had a sentinel node biopsy too, they were just getting popular in '99 when I had surgery. I was one of the less than 2% whose lymphatics drain into the internal mammary chain, which is in the sternum. When those nodes are positive it puts a person at advanced stage, IIIC or T2, N3, MO. BC is different than BLC because lymph node involvement doesn't put you at stage IV. If it hadn't been for the SNB I would have been understaged as those nodes are not normally checked. I'm very lucky.

We took an aggressive tack for me and I'm still NED (no evidence of disease) 7 yrs later. I chose for a mastectomy because I wanted to have the least chance of a local recurrence, and only wanted to go in the OR once. I have a medical phobia(s) which makes everything harder than it already is.

My husband has been my rock through this all. I couldn't have done it without him. I'm glad your wife has you there. I can't imagine anyone going through a cancer dx alone.

She can survive this BC diagnosis, survival is quite good for breast cancer even with lymph node involvement. If you or she would like to talk about anything at all, feel free to email me privately;
wendy@blcwebcafe.org

Jim,

My prayers are with both you and your wife, I cannot imagine how this has changed your lives right now. From reading your previous posts I can tell that you're a very strong person and I know you'll be a great support for her right now. Plus you have your computer skills to search for any information you might feel is necessary, just as you did for yourself when you found the WebCafe. I know you'll keep us all informed with both of your situations, and I for one will keep an eye out for your next post regarding results.

God Bless both of you,

Lou Graham

Jim,
I have a very dear friend who is more like a daughter to me who had the exact same diagnosis as your wife and she is still going strong 7 years later. She has always done medical research in the Boston area and presently works at Shriner's Hospital. She is truly a force to be recokened with. When she was diagnosed she immediately gave up red meat, exercised and drank a soy based drink every morning along with lots of vitamins and minerals. The only treatment she had after her lumpectomy was radiation which she actually did on her lunch hour because the hosptial was right next door. So, take heart and know that you both are in out thoughts and prayers. Because.....this board is truly a force to be recokened with when we all set our minds to it.
Many blessings.....Jean

Thank you Wendy, Lou, and Jean, for your kind and encouraging words.

Wendy, I don't know yet how my tumor reccurence will shape my treatement. On the one hand, it might seem that the immunotherapy didn't work, but inasmuch as it is only a single, small tumor, the doctor may actually determine that this recurrence represents some beneficial results from the therapy, especially if the tumor is also Ta or thereabouts and perhaps a lower grade than my previous Grade 3s. On the other hand, if it is viewed as a failure, then maintenance might not make much sense, so going to a combo of immuno- and chemotherapy might be the logical next step. I appreciate your directing me to the new (very new - just reported earlier this month) information about the Urocidin - I've checked it out and put it in my PDA to show my doctor.

My wife appreciates very much all of your comments and support. Wendy, for reasons similar to yours - strong aversion to surgeries, time involved, and medical outcome - my wife has also chosen to go with a mastectomy. This way, with one straightforward procedure she will reduce the probability of recurrence to nearly 0% and be back home a few weeks after the surgery. There are other things the medical center is doing for her in connection with the mastectomy, but they don't effect the prognostic outcome, the timeline, or the number of surgeries. We did, fortunately, catch this at a very early stage, it has not spread (hopefully the complete lymph node pathology report will confirm that; other than not having clean margins, the report on the lump has), and it is technically curable; we certainly hope that will be our result. It goes without saying that we are encouraged on our part, and pleased for ourselves and you, Wendy, at your positive experience working through this, and also, Jean, for your good friend.

Lou and Jean, you are both quite right about the value of this forum. It is indeed a force that is helpful and rewarding, undoubtedly, to us all. I am very glad to have found it, and through it, all of you. I look forward to continuing to follow your commentary and stories, here, and I will certainly continue to post updates on my case as they develop.

Jim

 I have a turb on Nov 27th, do you all think this pyridium might help me. My bladder goes crazy after they do this. This will be my third one. I just 6 weeks ago finished interferon and BCG treatments. Thansk in advance. Don

Jim,

So sorry to hear about your wife's breast cancer and your bladder cancer recurrance.  On the bright side sounds positive for your wife's situation from what you have heard so far.  Guess with the bladder cancer recurrance if its still non-invasive, I'd just keep trying the BCG or Chemo variations.

I've been going through my own drama as I finally managed my divorce and am now a single parent to 5 & 7 year olds.  Life just keeps throwing punches, you just have to learn how to dodge and move your feet faster!  Take care buddy, keep us posted.

Jim,

Sorry to hear of your recurrence and your wife's challenge with breast cancer.  As you know, recurrence of blc is prominent in all of us. Hopefully, when you get the newest pathology report you will learn the grade has been downsized.  Is anyone aware of many who have undergone BCG treatments and not had any recurrence? My first year of bladder cancer diagnosis and BCG treatments also had an additional concern to my life when my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer. We went through it together that year.  I told him it was no fair, I was suppose to be the center of attention for my blc challenge.   He is fine now and needs no more surveillance or treatment as it was caught early and his kidney removed.  I believe our spouses become more conscious of their health when we are going through a diagnosis which urges them to follow through on tests for things that may be concerning them.  Our blc challeng probably helped to have them diagnosed early and saved their lives.

Jim,

I am so sorry to hear about your wife and your most recent news of the return of your cancer.  My husband and I think of you often.  Please know we will be praying for you both.  And keep us informed as much as you can.

God Bless you!!