Opting for no treatment

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer at age 84 and had two six-week immunotherapy treatment sessions with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Mild fatigue was the only side effect I experienced and managed to continue playing golf regularly. The folks at Mayo were wonderfully kind and professional. I've been incontinent for 20+ years after prostate surgery, and this required me to remain at Mayo on a table during treatments. I brought along my iPhone and listened to music or podcasts to pass the time. Insertion and removal of the catheter used to introduce the BCG was not difficult (slight discomfort for a few seconds). There are no guarantees when it comes to side effects, but based on my experience, I would encourage treatment.

I am 85 and agree completely with dswanson. My experience is with Gem/Doce as BCG would not work for me, but I have had virtually no side-effects, other than very slight nausea for a couple of hours after treatment.. The treatment administration is a little uncomfortable, but really nothing to worry about. I also take along my iPhone and iPad to while away the couple of hours while in the private room at Moffitt. I continue to ride my bike up to 50 miles per week.

@dswanson and @gemdoc25...From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. You have no idea how much that means to me during this challenging time. It sounds like my family member has done a little research and may be reconsidering treatment. I will be sure to share your information with my family.

Thank you again for your time and insight, I wish both of you continued good health.

I’m 75 and have had a radical cystectomy. I was not given a choice due to the nature of my bladder cancer. Since your family member is feeling good, my thought would be to try the immunotherapy. If the side effects are not tolerable, you can always stop the treatment. They are not talking surgery where once it’s done, you can’t change it. You may be able to get more quality time together and you won’t be dealing with recovery from a major surgery. It is totally up to the patient. I feel it gives him/her a good chance for extending their life.

Although I am a “young” 77 year old woman, I have a perspective on this. I was diagnosed about a year ago with a very invasive bladder cancer. I received chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and then surgery radical cystectomy. I struggled with all of the treatment.(diarrhea), so they had to discontinue that. However, I am now feeling better one year later, although I’m not 100% back to my normal self before all of this. I’m not sure whether to expect full recovery or not. I am in charge of my physical body mostly and I am in charge of my brain and those were in doubt at times. Having said all this, I am offering my perspective. I say perhaps you can recover at 88 even though I went into at 77. I was not in good shape at all and struggled with the treatment.
Fontaine
PS. I got good support, but fell and fractured both my hip and pelvis 3weeks prior to surgery, had to spend 1 month in the hospital after surgery, and lost 60 lbs.
I’m a survivor!!