Next Friday will mark my 24th BCG treatment since being diagnosed 3 years ago. When first diagnosed, I had a high grade flat tumor covering almost my entire bladder. After Turbt and the first 6 treatments, the cancer was still present, so they tried another round of BCG + Interferon. After that round of treatments I had a biopsy and was cancer free. I then went through two rounds (3 ea) maintenance treatments before BCG was restricted to only those with active cancer. After a recent follow up scope and biopsy, the cancer was found to have returned, and I am now at the end of another round of 6 treatments.
This round of treatment has been rough for me. I was able to hold the BCG for 2 hours on the first treatment, 1 hr 45 on the next, 1 hr 30 on the third and only 1 hr each on the last two. I am having bladder spasms and feel the need to pee almost immediately upon receiving the BCG. My nurse encouraged me to contact my urologist and explained that he would likely want me to stay catheterized at the hospital for the final 2 hr. treatment. If any of you have experienced this, what is it like? Do you have any advice for me? Is it more or less painful than a normal treatment? After the last two doses, I really can't even imagine having it in for >1 hour.
Thanks, Vince
