Homepage – Forum › Forums › Monthly Treatment Calendar › Calendar for November 2016 – who is up for Surgeries, Treatments and Tests?
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Paul D.
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October 22, 2016 at 4:31 pm #8437
marysue
ParticipantHi Everyone:
It is the second last month of 2016. Where did the year go? November is the month that we remember our men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Let us not forget this and the fact that our freedom makes it possible to do research and fundraise to hopefully find the cure for diseases like bladder cancer. If the outcome of WW2 had been different, we may not be where we are today.
All the best to everyone, especially those that have “stuff” this month. Nothing bladder cancer related for me, just a dental appointment to finish off treatment for a (UGH!) root canal. (((((HUGS)))))
October 25, 2016 at 9:47 pm #21100bluebill
ParticipantHello all,
The only treatment I have is BCG on November 2 which will be the third one for this set. I’m off for 3 months after that until mid January for a cysto.
Best of luck to all that have have any surgery, treatments or test in November.
Cheers
Bluebill
T1HGOctober 26, 2016 at 4:09 pm #21101Saldcorn
ParticipantSo, milestone after milestone… I had the RC and got my neo on 9/21. Happy when the staples came out and happier when the urostomy bag finally went on 10/17. I have a cystogram on 11/7, and if the surgeon is happy with the neo healing, I lose the catheter.
When I got the path report from the turbt in July, the tumour was T2b. The path report following the surgery graded it T3b. The lymph nodes were clean and there was no metastasis. The surgeon said the fatty tissue around the outside of the bladder had cells that indicated post-op chemo had to be considered and wants me to see a medical oncologist to get an opinion.
I have an appointment 11/17 with a doctor who is known to always advise chemo, pre- and/or post- op, so I’m pretty sure I know what his recommendation will be. The surgeon said he doesn’t think chemo is necessary, by that it’s my decision. I’ll get a second opinion on the chemo, but why do they put patients in that position? I have no medical training, so how can I decide? Does it just come down to how big a risk-taker I am?
The surgeon said that surgical oncologists tend to be optimists and see the glass as half-full, and that medical oncologists tend to be pessimists and see the glass as half-empty. Anyone have a similar quandary? Do oncologists offer “chemo-lite”?October 26, 2016 at 4:47 pm #21102SJay
ParticipantSue
My feeling is that anything which gives me a better chance at survival is probably worth it. You could ask the medical oncologist for stats regarding recurrence both with and without the chemo. Did you have chemo before your surgery? How well you tolerated it might help you decide. Good luck!Stephen
October 26, 2016 at 5:14 pm #21103Saldcorn
ParticipantHi Stephen,
No, I didn’t have any chemo before surgery, but that was on the surgeon’s advice. I get the impression he thinks that the effects outweigh the benefits in a lot of cases although of course I have no idea if this is always his advice.
I’m going to try and insist that I get clearer answers when I see him in November. That and opinions from two medical oncologists should make things clearer.
Thanks for your input… it’s basically what I’ve heard from other survivors: better to be safe than sorry.Sue
October 26, 2016 at 6:50 pm #21104marysue
ParticipantHi Saldcorn:
Welcome back and good to know that you are recovering. I haven’t had to do chemo but a thought came to mind. You are right in that it is to some degree a risk either way to have chemo or not and it isn’t an easy choice for a patient to make. I think as mentioned sometimes it comes down to how a patient feels they can deal with either choice. Since you have a bit of a conflicting diagnosis I suggest you go through things again with your doctors to see why there was a difference.
I think that you are on the right track getting more than one opinion. Another thing I suggest is to find out the type of chemo they would recommend – be it a single drug or a combination and try to find out the side effects and risks and how they are managed should they occur if you were to choose to go this route. Hopefully weighing at least some of these pros and cons will help with the decision that you make.
As already mentioned some patients choose to have the chemo as a form of extra insurance, others are of the mindset that they will only have it if there isn’t any other choice. Only you can decide which camp you belong in. Best wishes on a good and speedy recovery. Let us know how it goes. Take care. (((((HUGS)))))
October 30, 2016 at 5:30 am #21117Paul D
ParticipantHi all and it’s been a month or so since I posted anything, just had my meeting with the visiting Urologist at the local Cancer Care Clinic in Hervey Bay QLD and maintenance BCG will start on the 14-11-16 then two more after that in November then back to the main hospital in Brisbane for a Cysto in December 2016. April 2017 for six more BCG’s then another Cysto after that, life can be so predictable but if it means me walking the planet on my own BC Journey I for one will not be complaining. I did mention to the Urologist the method of BCG procedure you guy’s in Canada have and he was shocked, hope all of you are going well.
Love & Best Wishes to all,
Paul DOctober 30, 2016 at 8:33 pm #21120Gord
ParticipantDue to some recent retention issues I am having a cystoscopy on Nov 2nd. Haven’t had one in a looong time so on the one hand I am not looking forward to it, but on the other hand, its always good for my doc to get in and have a look see at how my now 3.5 yr old neo bladder is doing. I actually think I had an infection, which was cleared by some antibiotics, but am curious to see if there are bladder stones or if the opening is getting covered somehow, as both things have happened before, but not for a while. Needed minor day surgery for both those, one to blast the little buggers out of there, and the other to widen the (neo)bladder neck. So we will see.
Then I have my regular 6 month check up on Nov 9th. But this time, instead of a CT scan, it’s just an ultrasound, and blood work. Glad to have graduated to that kind of checking. Should have a good idea of how I am doing after all of that, so I am looking forward to a 3.5 year all clear at my follow up with the Doc on Dec 2nd.
And Sue, glad you wrote. Seems like things are progressing well for you post surgery. Good to get the good news path report. An all clear is an all clear, even if it was graded more seriously post surgery. Some good advice from others regarding chemo, which I concur with. I think if it were me, I would seek a 2nd opinion at a major hospital that treats a lot of bladder cancer, and would seriously consider chemo. I was diagnosed T2a pre and post surgery, and had chemo prior to surgery, so it was not suggested for me, post surgery. Keep us posted on your recovery and decision!
November 25, 2016 at 5:51 am #21181Paul D
ParticipantHi all and I had my second Maintenance BCG’s last Monday and the final next Monday so time has passed quickly as it it does when we we get older, all going well apart from some bleeding and pain on the first treatment but this week was a breeze. Told the nurse about my problem the week before and she was very gentle so it does pay to tell the nurses if you have problems. I also had a session with the psychologist whilst getting the BCG which I will recommend to all BC sufferers as even the slightest thing can get you down and you are not on your own with BC as there are people around who can help.
Love & Best Wishes to all,
Paul DNovember 28, 2016 at 9:05 am #21185Paul D
ParticipantJust had my last BCG for the year and well it could have gone better, walked into the treatment room which is annexed from the main ward and it was freezing. Got prepped up and all going to plan even though I had the nurse from hell who was I may add very pleasant and caring so I hold my head in shame for giving her this title, one and a half hours into the 2 hours I drank the water to help drain and the cold got me so quarter of an hour before the 2 I had to press the button for help and she came to the rescue. OHHHH what a feeling as my bladder drained, apart from that all good so best of luck to all having treatment.
Love & Best Wishes to all,
Paul DNovember 29, 2016 at 5:25 pm #21187Saldcorn
ParticipantI’ve been pretty remiss with posts. This bladder training and spending a small country’s worth on continence products had me in a week-long snit. However… I final got my grateful back on. Cancer-free and told by two med oncologists that no chemo was necessary. I am, however, scheduled to begin a clinical trial for an immunotherapy drug.
No details yet as to whether I’ll be getting the actual drug or not. A bit scary, but…Sue
November 29, 2016 at 10:47 pm #21189Paul D
ParticipantHi Sue can you let me know how you go with the new drug and what it is please, I am seeing my oncologist next week in reference to how I am coping with BCG and I wouldn’t mind giving him ideas on the new drug over here in Australia.
Love & Best Wishes to all,
Paul D -
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