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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?
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Was hoping to get some about bladder cancer. I go to the Dr. urologist May 31 for blood work ab see him. I have read alot about it but not really answer some question.
My husband had a radical cystectomy/prostatectomy 4 years ago after a few years of treatments for highly aggressive urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder, muscle invasive. He is happy with his neobladder and the new normal has him self cathing 4 times a day to empty completely. Incontinence is only an issue at night. I know how much against losing the bladder we were early in this battle, but aiming for a cure takes different pathways for each one of us. You do what feels right for you. New treatments are being approves all the time and saving the bladder is always the priority. Keep reading and researching and consider second opinions if your treatment options seem limited.
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6 Reactions@delavan
BCG didn't work for me. My Dr is talking about doing the Gen/Doce if needed after my next scope in April.
Like to know what people think of not doing chemo for bladder cancer an do you know what the life is without treatment. I have now a 10 cc in my bladder
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1 ReactionI’m an 85 year old man, in good general health with a T1 high grade urothelial tumor with possible plasmacytoid features. Not muscle invasive, and Dr Tyson gave me a choice of BCG or cystectomy. For me, since catheterization is painful and cystoscopy is more painful I chose cystectomy. It is more definitive, and I won’t need to be looking at an endless series of treatments and possible eventual cystectomy. Always interested in more info.
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3 Reactions@sbassmeister, there are a few members who have both prostate cancer and bladder cancer. You may be wish to ask your questions here:
- Prostate cancer AND bladder cancer - any others with both?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prostate-cancer-and-bladder-cancer-any-others-with-both/
All the best with the biopsy this month.
@colleenyoung
It was clear. I have 3 more BCG treatments in late May and early June. Another scope in September and if it’s clear then I’m through with BCG treatments.
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1 Reaction@rwells50, how did your scope go?
@rafcer
The catheter is inserted first and that’s where the discomfort occurs. The BCG is then put in through the catheter and there is no discomfort there. It’s been almost 4 years since my surgery. I don’t remember if bladder urges continued once the catheter was removed. I was told about using the bleach but not anything about getting it on my clothes, and to my knowledge I never got any on my clothes. I really only experienced about one day of issues after each treatment and then things were pretty normal until the next treatment.
@rwells50 In regards to the catheter did you mean just when the dr inserted the BCG into bladder? My bladder urges started after TURBT surgery when I was sent home with catheter for 10 days. Bladder urges still continue as of now. How long does BCG stay in your urine since I was told about using one bathroom,using bleach in toilet bowl so nobody gets contaminated. What were you told regarding if BCG gets on clothing? You can tell I’m doubtful because Dr just gave me pamphlet on BCG. I’m so thankful for this group!