susant, the current "best thinking" in bladder cancer treatment is for the initial 6 bcg treatments to be followed about three months later with 3 more. There then may be additional maintenance treatments at three month intervals. It has been shown to improve response significantly. I DEFINITELY want to continue cancer-free for as long as possible and had planned to "demand" maintenance if my uro didn't suggest it. But he did and it is scheduled to start in mid-September.

Sara Anne

Sara, I know how you fell since I felt the same way yesterday after my P&P. As for celebrating, I wiped out my supply of Tequila and Triple Sec and even had to go out to get some more Marg. mix, but it was great fun! Now we need to get back to normal....well....maybe in a few more days.....

What is maintenance? more of the bcg?

Great news Sara Anne! I did find I had a few more side effects with maintenance, but nothing severe. Everyone is different with reactions to BCG - just cross that bridge when you get to it.
Have fun tonight - you have earned it!

Nix

Very nervously went to my uro today to see what the BCG had accomplished. ALL CLEAR!!! I had felt so lousy for several months (my internist and I think that it was due to all the inflammation in my bladder) and have been feeling MUCH better the past few weeks. Was able to discontinue the Urelle three weeks ago and the DetrolLA a week ago. So I sort of felt that things had cleared up...but you never know.

Urologist had scheduled maintenance starting mid-Sept. Said that if I find a protocol on line that I like better than the one he comes up with just to let him know!! He did warn me that just because I had no side effects with the first series of BCG that doesn't mean that I won't with the maintenance...Says that often patients become sensitized.

Think I will go out and "tie one on!!" Wish all of you guys who gave me such wonderful moral support could join me!!

Sara Anne