Hi everyone

[Paul D]

New to the forum and I am from Australia, I have Bladder Cancer and had a high grade tumor removed in March 2016 then a cystoscopy in May. I will be starting BCG treatment in July, I was 65 this year and thought I would have a memorable year and so it has been so far. Should have been over in Fort Saskatchewan AB visiting my sister in July but will be attending Bundaberg QLD hospital instead, reason I am on your web page is we only have a general cancer forum in Australia and I will be asking BC specific questions. I am in a very early stage of BC but with a long way to go and hope for guidance from brave people who have been through what I can only hope will be a successful conclusion.

[Jack Moon]

Welcome Paul, I have been to your beautiful country several times in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Sounds like you are in good medical hands as your Uro is following standard protocol and gold standard BCG treatments for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. I was diagnosed in 2005, had a couple of low grade recurrences and after several BCG treatments I have been all clear since 2007. Good luck with the BCG treatments, and if you have any questions, many of us on the forum have had experience with the treatments. Keep us posted on your progress.
All the best,
BCG = Bladder Cancer Gone
Jack

[DDep]

G’Day Paul

Welcome to Bladder Cancer Canada. I am sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with Bladder Cancer.

Australia is a beautiful country.

Here is a very good pdf document from
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne Victoria.
It deals with Cancer Related Fatigue and BCG
http://www.petermac.org/sites/default/files/Patient_care/Services_patients_families_carers/Cancer_information_resources/Info sheet_practical ways of dealing with cancer related fatigue.pdf

(Sometimes the link doesn’t work. If it doesn’t … ask Mr. Google by cutting and pasting “Cancer Related Fatigue Peter Mac” in the search field (without the quotation marks of course).
The link should be titled “Practical ways of dealing with cancer-related fatigue”)

Finally moving forward …
i) If you smoke – STOP smoking
ii) Take Vitamins A, E, D, and Lactobacillus Casei daily.
(Ref. http://blcwebcafe.org/content/view/103/113/lang,english/ – see “Guidelines” at the end of the article, 4th and 5th bullets from the bottom.)

God Bless

DDep

[Paul D]

Thanks guy’s and appreciate your welcome, I have visited Canada many times and will I hope be there again next year BC permitting. I am trying to find out if the BCG treatment makes you fatigued as my dear wife n daughter want me to stay the night after treatment prior to coming home, it’s only just over an hour trip so I am keen to get home. The smoking question DDep is one I get asked so many times in hospital visits and the answer is I have never smoked but my whole family did, the Urology people have told me not to take anything other than their medication so it’s only Tamsulosin for my enlarged Prostrate. Isn’t it grand to be old !
Paul

[SJay]

Paul
I never felt fatigued after BCG sessions. It doesn’t affect your ability to drive. One thing to remember, though, is that you need to hold it in for 2 hours. During this time you can walk or lay down while moving positions every 15 minutes. That means you can’t just get in your car and drive for an hour after receiving the treatment.

Good luck with your treatments.

[Rick B]

Hi Paul,

Glad you connected…you will find lots of info here…just ask. I was diagnosed with BC mid 2012 and after 2 recurrences followed by BCG instillations I am pleased to say I’ve been cancer free for 3 years. I was 61 when diagnosed.

Like you I was about 1 hr+ from the hospital where BCG installations were administered. Because it is recommended that you lie on each side, your belly and then your back for 15 minutes each following the instillation, we checked into a Motel near the hospital. I did the rolling every 15 minutes for the first 2 hrs…except for a 5 minute walk around the room after the 1st hour. And, oh yes, I waited 2+ hours before voiding.

It sounds like you are in good hands with early follow-up after the tumor was removed and receiving BCG…protocol for high grade non-invasive.

Best wishes to you for all clears going forward…keep in touch…keep us in the loop.

God Bless.

Rick

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