My journey with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment

Posted by ggarrepy @ggarrepy, Nov 9, 2022

I’m a 77 year old female. I just started the first of six BCG treatments for T1 high grade bladder cancer. I was so worried that I would not be able to hold it for the two hours but I did it with no problem at all. Turned over every 15 minutes and felt fine. I’ve been back home now for a few hours and feel perfectly normal. So grateful!

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

ljashton | @ljashton | Nov 23, 2022

In reply to @ggarrepy "Third treatment canceled due to hematuria. Small amount is okay but I had a moderate amount..." + (show)

Was your nosebleed related? Hope you can continue soon.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 25, 2022

In reply to @ggarrepy "Third treatment canceled due to hematuria. Small amount is okay but I had a moderate amount..." + (show)

@ggarrepy, sorry to hear that the third treatment was postponed due to hematuria. Like @ljashton, I'd like to know if the nosebleed was related? How are you doing today?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 25, 2022

In reply to @makaylinh "I had my first BCG treatment last week and my second tomorrow. I am a 20..." + (show)

Welcome, @makaylinh. I'm sure you're getting tired of hearing this, but you're so young to have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Talk about life interrupted! I wanted to let you know that there's also a group for young adults here too:
- Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/adolescent-young-adult-aya-cancer/

In addition to the online group, they also meet on Zoom monthly if you'd like to join. See more details about the next meeting here:
- YA, Me Too: Young Adult Cancer Support Group Meeting https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/ya-me-too-young-adult-support-group-meeting-119/

How are your BCG treatments going? Are you on treatment 3 or 4?

ggarrepy | @ggarrepy | Nov 26, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "@ggarrepy, sorry to hear that the third treatment was postponed due to hematuria. Like @ljashton, I'd..." + (show)

I researched to see if nosebleeds are significant and I didn’t really find much of anything. It only happened once. I’ll ask about it when I go for the BCG this coming week.

ggarrepy | @ggarrepy | Nov 26, 2022

In reply to @ljashton "Was your nosebleed related? Hope you can continue soon." + (show)

I will ask about it this week.

ljashton | @ljashton | Nov 27, 2022

I’m just curious about how your treatments are handled- do you stay at the clinic for the two hours or are you sent home? We are sent home and since we live an hour away- the turning is done in the car. Just wondered if this is how it’s usually done.

ggarrepy | @ggarrepy | Nov 27, 2022

I live an hour away too but I am alone so they have me stay in the office for the two hours on the exam table lol. If I lived closer or had a driver, I would be able to go home.

ggarrepy | @ggarrepy | Dec 20, 2022

Today is my sixth BCG treatment in Madison. I’m holding and turning for my two hours. The first three sessions were no big deal, but I began to react more and more with the last three. I’m hoping it is a sign that it is working. Will know mid January when we take a look.
With T1Hg I’m not playing games with this. If the BCG fails, this bladder is out!

ldrlaw | @ldrlaw | Dec 21, 2022

In reply to @ggarrepy "Today is my sixth BCG treatment in Madison. I’m holding and turning for my two hours...." + (show)

Madison, WI? I hope all goes well.

ljashton | @ljashton | Dec 22, 2022

In reply to @ggarrepy "Today is my sixth BCG treatment in Madison. I’m holding and turning for my two hours...." + (show)

My husbands 5th is today. So far, he’s done ok. I think after last time he was more tired. The weather is very bad so we may not be able to make the hour drive to KC and will have to postpone until next week.
Glad you are done and hope for the very best results for you.

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