Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

I am also HGT1 - I don't want to jinx myself but my BCG treatments have been very tolerable.
I was tired the day after my first one but think it was more due to the stress I had leading up to the procedure.
I did not have any physical side effects until my treatment last week. There was stinging as they were prepping the area for instillation but we think it just might be my urethra getting irritated from weekly catheter insertion.
I was so nervous about starting treatments but feel very lucky that side effects have been so few. Two more to go!

2nd opinions are good. My diagnosis changed from low grade non-invasive to HGT1 with the 2nd opinion.

I've had my 2nd TURBT. HGT1. Will be discussing BCG treatment. Can you tell us about your BCG treatments...like what side effects to expect.

I completely understand being overwhelmed with the news. No one in my family has ever had bladder cancer either.
I did not seek a second opinion, first because I just went with what was suggested because I was scared and second because from everything I read my urologist was offering the recommended treatment.
I've had 2 TURBT procedures and today I will have my 5th BCG treatment at my urologists office. I cannot say enough good things about the care I've received and I trust I am in good hands.
Ask questions, like I didn't LOL. Will you have a 2nd TURBT before BCG?

First TURBT done 6/7/24. Scheduling is calling me to have the BCG start soon, but I'm wondering if a urologist should do this procedure or an oncologist.? I am definitely overwhelmed with the news of cancer which no one in my family has ever had. Do patients usually get a 2nd opinion on this type of cancer? I understand it's fast growing and the need to get the treatments started but I want to make sure I'm making the right choices. Anyone???

@johnnymc, how did your appointments go with the surgeon and radiologist? What is the treatment plan for you?

2nd Turbt done this past week. No invasion to bladder muscle so good news.
Surgery recovery and bladder infection slowing my activity. Awaiting next step with urologist. Thanks for all the comments.

@steenrl, Hi Robert and welcome. Good to hear about the success of your neobladder. I wonder if you might wish to share more about your experience, what to expect and what you wished you had known in this related discussion:

- Experiences with neobladder surgery for bladder cancer
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bladder-cancer-and-neobladder-surgery/

I’m glad you are doing well.

Kind of an off the wall question but thought I would throw it out there to see if anyone could answer.

Does Medicare cover the cost of a Neobladder procedure ?

Hi, been a bystander in the group for a little bit. It took me a while to come around to the reality that I have cancer...HGT1 to be exact. I am 63 and was diagnosed with bladder cancer during first TURBT in early March this year. Had a second TURBT in mid April and determined there is no muscle wall involvement. I just completed my 4th weekly BCG treatment of 6. I'm trying to be ok about all this but it's a work in progress.