Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

@openloc1949
I had BCG with no side effects... some people do get side effects.... but I've had a very pleasant daily life. As a matter of fact I've been eating better and exercising every day. I feel great and am doing my part. the rest is up to the doctors and the medicine.

Hematuria led to dx of high-grade ca; have had 2 TURBTs. Interested in anyone near my age (76) going thru follow-up treatment... what did you have (BCG?) and what were side effects. I'm not interested in prolongation of life if the treatment prevents pleasant daily life🙏

Welcome. My husband had aggressive muscle invasive bladder cancer. He did have his bladder removed and his prognosis is excellent. He never smoked but worked on heavy equipment with oils and chemicals related to automotive and equipment repair for 20 plus years. Ironically two of his first cousins had bladder cancer. A male who smoked for years and a female who did not smoke. They are both alive and well.

@talltxlady thank you for your message.
Well done for quitting smoking I know it’s hard and staying off them. Worth it… for us! I bet it was annoying to get the diagnosis after you quit.
I think it is a smaller percentage inherit it. Nope I did not work with or in a place with chemicals. Apparently it has only been growing for a year. So something triggered it a year ago! I have no idea what! 🤷‍♀️
Did you have your bladder removed? I’m getting use to the idea that might have to happen.
Wishing you all the best.

@annabel55 I hope you get good results with your upcoming surgery. You definitely have to stay on top of an aggressive bladder cancer as it likes to return. My husband is 5 years into this battle and his was muscle invasive. Multiple surgeries and procedures later and he decided to have a radial cystectomy with neobladder formation as the best chance for a cure. Despite complications, he is very happy with his decision, and is still cancer free. Cancer certainly does take over your life and it's good that you have been able to get back to work. It is a good distraction. Keep us informed and healthy wishes for you.

Welcome @annabel55 so sorry you're having to go through all of this and the surgeries.
I, too, was diagnosed with high grade NMI bladder cancer 4 years ago. Hopefully yours is not invading the muscle. Also, I didn't realize bladder cancer could be inherited. Besides the smoking for a year were you ever exposed to any chemicals of any sort? Just curious. I smoked for 33 years so there's no question as to where mine came from. By the Grace of God I managed to quit smoking 7.5 years ago. Three and 1/2 years into my quit was when I got my diagnosis, but I pushed through and never picked them back up again. Best of luck to you on everything.

Hi, I have been reading posts here (thanks to all that posted) and thought I would say hi.
15th October I was told I would have to have an operation. On the 20th I had an operation to remove what was aggressive high bladder cancer. I am female 55 years old, don’t smoke (about 13 years ago I smoked for a year, that’s it) and always been so healthy, my friends were shocked. I had inherited bladder cancer and something triggered it a year ago. It has all been a shock. I went back to work as a TA in a school last week which was nice to have some normality.
Today I had my second pre op and am waiting for my second operation to remove more so they can see if the tumour penetrated the bladder wall/ muscle or not. The challenges life throws at one!
I am hoping to get a cancellation and have my operation earlier than planned which is at the end of this month. 🤷‍♀️