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Bladder Cancer | Last Active: 16 hours ago | Replies (273)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Hello. We found my 81 year old mother has bladder cancer this week. It is: Papillary..."
So sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis and anxiety. I began BCG treatments last Monday. Insertion and removal of the catheter were briefly uncomfortable, but insertion of the small amount of BCG involved no discomfort. I'm incontinent, so needed to remain in the treatment room for an hour. A pillow, warm blanket and a tv remote made the hour speed by. After treatment, I had a slight burning sensation during urination for two days, a tiny amount of blood in my urine, but none of the potential side effects noted in the literature. Prior to treatment, I had anxiety; after all it's unfamiliar territory. But there's no need for exceptional anxiety. I do have a supportive wife, family and friends, many of whom prayed for me. If you understand that professionals implementing your care are highly trained, capable, kind and experienced, it helps moderate anxiety. But there's no substitute for prayer because you need God's help for healing. I'm 84 years old with an aggressive form of bladder cancer. With BCG treatments planned for the next five weeks, I've been wondering if I'd be able to play golf now that the weather is moderating here in Minnesota. Well, my first BCG is behind me with no side effects. So I'm planning to make a tee time next week. For that I'm grateful to Mayo Clinic for professional help. I'm certain God will eliminate the cancer if that's what He has in mind for me. But I know God will walk with me either way. My bottom line recommendation: Pray for your mom, but also seek help from family or friends who may be able to provide on-site support to help her through this unfamiliar valley and ease her anxiety. I'm not a physician, but my doctor tells me he is confident my aggressive bladder cancer can be controlled with non-surgical measures. BCG may be all that's needed. From your description of your mother's diagnosis, I suspect my doctor would pass along to her the same prediction.