Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Hi. I’m a 53yo male and was diagnosed with T1 carcinoma in situ last month. I am being treated at Mayo in Rochester (about 6 hours from where I live) and so far have been very impressed with the care I’m receiving. It’s been worth every minute of the long drives.

I had a TURBT on Friday and will begin BCG in December. This is my first major health issue of any kind…I had never even spent a night in the hospital until last month.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experience in this group…it’s been helpful. I hope to do the same as I work through this.

TURBT is generally very safe. Unless there are other medical issues or allergies to anesthesia.

@jaxfl
Thanks for your reply. My next cystoscopy will be a blue light with TURBT if needed. I'm sure my Urologist is not a oncology urologist but very well trusted in his community.

In addition to all this, I have a 2nd opinion scheduled with Memorial Sloan Kettering on 11/13 to confirm the findings and possible treatment options. In my honest opinion, if I am assured that there is/are no cancer present I will move ahead with the Diverticulectomy. Depending on the 2nd opinion of course, Even though this is a second recurrence for me, it feels all very new to me.

@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.