Which treatment path to choose? Wait & monitor vs chemo or BCG?

Have had 2 scraping outs 2 cystoscopy and both BCG and gem/cit chemo for 6 weeks each. My cancer was biopsied as non invasive but high risk. BCG did not work for me after my first scraping so had the second scraping and then chemo. Just had a scope this week and Dr saw some suspicious areas so have to go in for another scraping/biopsy. It appears the chemo might not have worked for me either. I found BCG to be tolerated easiest, the chem a bit more upsetting to the system. I would want another
cystocsopy in 4 weeks to see.

@hotrod58, treatment decisions are so hard to make. To help make your decision, I might recommend asking more questions of your team like:
- Given my age and health status, what are the pros and cons of each treatment options for me?
- What are the risks of cancer returning if I choose to watch and wait?
- What treatment side effects are expected with chemo or BCG?

Hotrod, will you have another consultation with the cancer team to discuss your next steps? Have you considered a second opinion?

Colleen. I guess the frustrating part is how the system treats bladder cancer. As for second opinion and although very difficult I finally got to speak with Oncology (cancer specialist) and she recommended BCG. I was turned away from two cancer centers because my cancer had not metastasized yet. Yes they wouldn’t even see me because my cancer wasn’t “bad enough”. I was told my urologist would be able to handle it. Last I knew a urologist was there to remove the tumor not make oncologist decisions about cancer treatment. I realize it takes a village but I don’t want the blacksmith making recommendations because he knows the town doctor. Starting to think insurance companies play a bigger role in my well being than I do.

My urologist is doing a second deeper biopsy to make sure there is no cancer cells exist. After healing, if necessary he suggests the direct into the bladder chemo. But we can decide that later as to which treatment.
My pathology report said there were cancer cells in the lymph system and blood. My doctor wants to check that some more as well.
It was recommended to me to see an oncologist to check the rest of my body. After completing the bladder chemo I am going to go to a oncologist. At 73 I want to be aggressive with finding if it pops up anywhere else.