I hope this forum is still active. I have had a kidney transplant and I am 77 years old. I now have superficial bladder cancer. I have had two TURBT's and am now starting treatments. Because of the transplant, I am being given Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. I have a very large prostate and last year I had prostate artery embolization which incidently discovered the small tumor but did very little to reduce the size of my prostate.
This week I had my first treatment. I was only able to maintain both medications for a limited amount of time which I was told s/b 1 hour a piece. My next treatment I will be taking Oxybutynin 5mg prior to treatment to help with retention. I am getting vague responses regarding what the implications are if I cannot maintain the dosages longer.
Can you tell me if the treatments are adequately effective if I am unable to maintain the dosages longer?
Can you advise if there is an alternative treatment?
Any further suggestions?
Thank you
Joel Ratzker
I am 77 and have fought bladder cancer 11 years with same treatment of Gem/Dox. My doc asked that I do the best I could, and as infusions continued, it got easier to keep drugs in. My cancer was “in situ”, but after a decade, moved to prostate. Now about to do MVAC chemo and have both organs removed. Unknown how my 77-year-old self will tolerate this next journey. Hang in there!
I hope this forum is still active. I have had a kidney transplant and I am 77 years old. I now have superficial bladder cancer. I have had two TURBT's and am now starting treatments. Because of the transplant, I am being given Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. I have a very large prostate and last year I had prostate artery embolization which incidently discovered the small tumor but did very little to reduce the size of my prostate.
This week I had my first treatment. I was only able to maintain both medications for a limited amount of time which I was told s/b 1 hour a piece. My next treatment I will be taking Oxybutynin 5mg prior to treatment to help with retention. I am getting vague responses regarding what the implications are if I cannot maintain the dosages longer.
Can you tell me if the treatments are adequately effective if I am unable to maintain the dosages longer?
Can you advise if there is an alternative treatment?
Any further suggestions?
Thank you
Joel Ratzker
I had my bladder removed and now have a neo bladder. After one year my cancer showed up in two lymph nodes in my abdomen area. I was on chemotherapy for about four months with no change. I have now been on Keytruda for about two years. My lymph nodes have shrunk to the point my oncologist says it is insignificant. My cancer is not curable, but my oncologist feels I could live for several years. I will probably stop immunotherapy this summer. When it starts growing again, my oncologist feels that I can restart immunotherapy and the drugs will effectively treat the cancer.
I had my bladder removed and now have a neo bladder. After one year my cancer showed up in two lymph nodes in my abdomen area. I was on chemotherapy for about four months with no change. I have now been on Keytruda for about two years. My lymph nodes have shrunk to the point my oncologist says it is insignificant. My cancer is not curable, but my oncologist feels I could live for several years. I will probably stop immunotherapy this summer. When it starts growing again, my oncologist feels that I can restart immunotherapy and the drugs will effectively treat the cancer.
I had my bladder removed and now have a neo bladder. After one year my cancer showed up in two lymph nodes in my abdomen area. I was on chemotherapy for about four months with no change. I have now been on Keytruda for about two years. My lymph nodes have shrunk to the point my oncologist says it is insignificant. My cancer is not curable, but my oncologist feels I could live for several years. I will probably stop immunotherapy this summer. When it starts growing again, my oncologist feels that I can restart immunotherapy and the drugs will effectively treat the cancer.
My husband has exactly the same history. His scope last week was clear. He will receive 3 BCG treatments followed by scope in 3 months. I wish your husband well.
My husband is going for cystoscopy after 2nd TURBT and 2nd round of BCG(12 total). If he is clear, would he likely be advised to have maintenance BCG started? Thanks.
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It sounds like you’re a tough guy. God is with you.
I am 77 and have fought bladder cancer 11 years with same treatment of Gem/Dox. My doc asked that I do the best I could, and as infusions continued, it got easier to keep drugs in. My cancer was “in situ”, but after a decade, moved to prostate. Now about to do MVAC chemo and have both organs removed. Unknown how my 77-year-old self will tolerate this next journey. Hang in there!
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1 ReactionI hope this forum is still active. I have had a kidney transplant and I am 77 years old. I now have superficial bladder cancer. I have had two TURBT's and am now starting treatments. Because of the transplant, I am being given Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. I have a very large prostate and last year I had prostate artery embolization which incidently discovered the small tumor but did very little to reduce the size of my prostate.
This week I had my first treatment. I was only able to maintain both medications for a limited amount of time which I was told s/b 1 hour a piece. My next treatment I will be taking Oxybutynin 5mg prior to treatment to help with retention. I am getting vague responses regarding what the implications are if I cannot maintain the dosages longer.
Can you tell me if the treatments are adequately effective if I am unable to maintain the dosages longer?
Can you advise if there is an alternative treatment?
Any further suggestions?
Thank you
Joel Ratzker
@moose63, your story is a welcome addition to the community. You may also wish to participate in this related discussion:
- Experiences with neobladder surgery for bladder cancer
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bladder-cancer-and-neobladder-surgery/
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2 ReactionsThe doctor takes a part of your intestine and forms a bladder.
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1 ReactionIt's wonderful that they have so many new medications now. I believe you are going to live a long amazing life! What is a Neo Bladder?
I had my bladder removed and now have a neo bladder. After one year my cancer showed up in two lymph nodes in my abdomen area. I was on chemotherapy for about four months with no change. I have now been on Keytruda for about two years. My lymph nodes have shrunk to the point my oncologist says it is insignificant. My cancer is not curable, but my oncologist feels I could live for several years. I will probably stop immunotherapy this summer. When it starts growing again, my oncologist feels that I can restart immunotherapy and the drugs will effectively treat the cancer.
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4 ReactionsAll clear, but no BCG- just the three month follow up.
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1 ReactionMy husband’s cystoscopy was clear. His Dr at Mayo is not recommending further BCG, just a three month re-evaluation. We are greatly relieved.
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2 ReactionsAbout 3 weeks I believe. It's on the calendar but we aren't home LOL