Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Welcome to the Bladder Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with bladder cancer or caring for someone with bladder cancer. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

Feel free to browse the topics, use the group search to find answers to your questions or start a new discussion.

Pull up a chair. Let’s start with introductions.

What type of bladder cancer were you diagnosed with? What treatments have you had? How are you doing?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.

Had my right kidney removed only to find out i also have bladder cancer. I have had it scrapped first and had 2 more timers removed 90 days later. I was placed on a waiting list for BCG treatment and after a month of waiting was offered the gensar chemo and taxotere treatment. I go for my second of six treatments tomorrow. I was not offered any treatment until about 7 months after surgery. I have had no side effects as of today. I am glad my wife found this site. I hope and prey everyone benefits from their treatment.

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Profile picture for bigl55 @bigl55

Had my right kidney removed only to find out i also have bladder cancer. I have had it scrapped first and had 2 more timers removed 90 days later. I was placed on a waiting list for BCG treatment and after a month of waiting was offered the gensar chemo and taxotere treatment. I go for my second of six treatments tomorrow. I was not offered any treatment until about 7 months after surgery. I have had no side effects as of today. I am glad my wife found this site. I hope and prey everyone benefits from their treatment.

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Hello big155 and welcome to Connect Bladder Cancer. My husband has battled an aggressive bladder cancer since 2019. He got tired of all the cystoscopies and followup tumor removals and had his bladder and prostate removed over 2 years ago, with a neobladder surgery done to replace it.
Many people live with and control their noninvasive bladder cancer with regular monitoring and removal of tumors, as bladder cancer does like to return. I hope that yours is very responsive to the chemo so you get a break from surgeries. I am hearing that BCG has become easier to get hold of so maybe when you are finished with your chemo you can use that for a maintenance therapy if needed. Good luck to you and keep looking through the bladder cancer topics here for answers to your questions.

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sepdvm

Hello big155 and welcome to Connect Bladder Cancer. My husband has battled an aggressive bladder cancer since 2019. He got tired of all the cystoscopies and followup tumor removals and had his bladder and prostate removed over 2 years ago, with a neobladder surgery done to replace it.
Many people live with and control their noninvasive bladder cancer with regular monitoring and removal of tumors, as bladder cancer does like to return. I hope that yours is very responsive to the chemo so you get a break from surgeries. I am hearing that BCG has become easier to get hold of so maybe when you are finished with your chemo you can use that for a maintenance therapy if needed. Good luck to you and keep looking through the bladder cancer topics here for answers to your questions.

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Thank you for your reply and concern. I never knew their were other options. I will inquire when this episode is over. Thanks

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Profile picture for bigl55 @bigl55

Thank you for your reply and concern. I never knew their were other options. I will inquire when this episode is over. Thanks

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@bigl55, how are you doing on chemo?

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@bigl55, how are you doing on chemo?

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Going for 4th treatment tomorrow. So far so good only a few side affects. Felt bad last Saturday and appear to be loosing hair. Other than that hopefully this treatment is working. Thanks

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Profile picture for fmfran @fmfran

Thanks Tom
It appears that the BCG worked well for you. I'm having number 4 tomorrow. I have not had many side effects. I'm hoping that it works for me as it did for you. Thank you for the kindness of your reply.
Francis

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Just had my 2nd of 6th BCG treatments Thursday. Did find it was a little more uncomfortable than the first treatment after holding for 2 hours. Thank goodness for AZO which is a live saver. I’ll take this shortly after treatment which helps with urinating after.
4 more to go!!

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I had my last BCG treatment in the 15th I am so glad I have had the worst pain when going to the bathroom which ends up being every 30 minutes, I go back in 8 weeks for a cystoscope hopefully it will not be back within a year. I’ve had two surgeries and have had three places burned off. All I know is I don’t think I could go to the BCG treatment again not with the pain it has caused and my doctor I should say the nurse who gives a treatment all I get from her that’s normal too much pain. Has anyone else experience this thanks, Tammy.

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Profile picture for tom26 @tom26

Just had my 2nd of 6th BCG treatments Thursday. Did find it was a little more uncomfortable than the first treatment after holding for 2 hours. Thank goodness for AZO which is a live saver. I’ll take this shortly after treatment which helps with urinating after.
4 more to go!!

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I’ll have to remember AZO if I ever start having symptoms. I finished my 6th BCG. The 6th one made me the most sick of all but now I have to wait one month before the doc takes a look. I’m not sure how I can sleep but I’m very hopeful and spend a lot of time praying. I’ll add you to my prayer list. Good luck!
Fran

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Profile picture for fmfran @fmfran

I’ll have to remember AZO if I ever start having symptoms. I finished my 6th BCG. The 6th one made me the most sick of all but now I have to wait one month before the doc takes a look. I’m not sure how I can sleep but I’m very hopeful and spend a lot of time praying. I’ll add you to my prayer list. Good luck!
Fran

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My symptoms started on the fourth treatment fifth treatment got worse, sick treatment horrible due to the pain I have when urinating

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I’ve been hurting when I pee for 4 days, it was my last treatment has anyone else experienced this? I have been told its bladder spasms

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