Hi Pops, sorry to hear that you now have cancer in your bladder. I have bladder cancer, along with lung cancer, but I can tell you my experience with the bladder cancer which I have had for almost 3 years now. I have had several treatments in my bladder that are called BCG treatments and I wonder if those are the treatments you are referring to. These treatments are injected directly into the bladder and the first treatments are a set of  6 given once a week over 6 weeks. Then if more treatments are required afterward, (perhaps 6 weeks later), then it would be a series of 3 given once a week over 3 weeks. Then if the cancer comes back, treatments would be given at intervals of a few months. This treatment is not chemo, it is a form of serum used in the treatment for tuberculosis. It does work though and while it is not pleasant to receive, you can get through it. Just be sure to follow the instructions you are given at the time.

Come back on the forum and let us know how things are going for you. If I can answer any questions that you may have, just let me know.

Take care.

Lorraine  

Hi Lorraine, thank you for taking the time to  reply and I'm sorry to hear of your problems and I hope you are managing to keep your spirits up, the treatment they are wanting me to have is metormyson which is an intravescial chemotherapy injected into the bladder via a catheter once a week for six weeks and having to have that done sounds scary to me but what I'm trying to find out is how I will be during the treament period as I care for my wife who is very frail and I don't want to be in a position where I'm unable to provide the care she needs and deserves, and I suppose whether it will make a difference but I realize that no one can answer that.The trouble is although I've had several procedures and the one big opp I really feel ok and that there is not alot wrong with me just the old age ache of the day. but thanks again for reply I really do appreciate it.

Kind regards and best wishes    G. Pops

Hi there again Pops, I understand now the type of treatments you are referring to. I myself haven't had those treatments, but I do know some who have had them. I guess it is a challenging experience for sure,  but I'm not sure what the after effects are with them. My experience with this bladder cancer is it seems no one knows a whole lot about it. When I was diagnosed with it, I was shocked. I had never heard tell of it and neither did anyone else I know. Apparently, it receives very little funding as well. I guess we do what we have to do to stay alive, don't we.

Pops, you don't say what your wife's health issues are, so I'm not too sure how much care she needs. It might be wise on your part to try and set up some alternative care just in case you are unable to do all that you normally do. When are you scheduled to begin this treatment? I hope all goes well for you. Stay in touch and let me know how it goes. I don't think there are very many here on the forum with bladder cancer. I will have a cystoscopy on Feb. 25th and holding my breath for an all clear, but I don't live in a dream world either. We'll see.

Take care and when you're able, let me know how it goes.

Lorraine

Hi Lorraine, have'nt got date yet for chemo as a week after the tumors were removed the site got infected and my bladder was filling with blood and then the blood clotted and blocked my water works and then I was unable to go to loo, had 3 days in hosp while they sorted it out and I have to wait a while because of the poss of chemo getting into blood stream , I really hope all goes well for your procedure I never look forward to cystoscopies in fact I have a general anesthectic now , please let me know how it goes, as you say not many people to discuss this type of cancer with and it does make a difference sharing problems and emotions and such with a fellow sufferers .  As for my wife we try not to involve outside carers and distric nurses as we feel personal care is better provided by me and not strangers however lovely they may be unless it is impossible to avoid. well I,ll look forward to hearing from you telling me you have the ALL CLEAR .

     best wishes, good luck  G.Pops

Hi. Sorry for your diagnosis! If you have a low grade tumor then they most often remove then treat with Mitomycin which is a Chemo drug instilled through urinary catheter. So if that is what has been suggested then I would accept the treatment! Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate so going through the discomfort of catheter and maybe some burning sensation is better than risking muscle invasive cancer! I, the same as Lorraine, had high grade bladder cancer and 16 doses of bcg, as the chemo drug is ineffective against CIS, and although the side effects of that were torturous I had to go through it to give myself the best chance. I hope you manage to make the right decision for you and wish you luck. x

Hi Lorraine!

How was your Cystoscopy? Hope all was well! Did you manage to find 'Fight Bladder Cancer: Support' Forum?

C.xx

Hi GPops and cfeast, sorry for not posting sooner. My husband is having some health issues and in a lot of pain and I have had one severe ear ache. It never rains but it pours. Between the hospital and the doctor's office, I think our poor dog thinks we may have moved out and left him here. In any case, I did get good news about my bladder when I had the cystoscopy last Thursday. No new tumors this time!!!!  Unless I have issues, I don't need another cystoscopy for 6 months!! Needless to say, I am over the moon on that one. Of course, I'm not naive to think that I'm "cured" because I know that isn't the case, but I'll take whatever  reprieve I'm offered. I've just finished a round of radiation for my lung cancer and they found another cancer in the lower lobe which they were unable to treat this time, so I'll be dealing with that the end of March. It never really ends, but I try to count my blessings for the years I've had since first diagnosis. Its' been a steady round of scans, surgeries, treatments, etc. right from the beginning.

Thanks for inquiring and do let me know how things go for you. "Talking" on here to others in similar circumstances sure does help all of us.

Take care.

Lorraine