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  • More BCG or RC????

    Posted by bmathews9744 on August 3, 2010 at 10:52 pm

    Dr. Joseph Smith ( Vanderbilt) called a few minutes ago with my path report from my third TURB. The CIS is still there after one round of BCG. Dr. Smith gave me two options–more BCG or RC. I am leaning toward the RC. I thought this would be an easy decision for me, however I am shaking all over. I need your input and tell me like it is–what would you do????? I respect the opinions of all BC surviors. I could not have made it this far without everyones help. Thank God for this website!!!!

    replied 14 years, 6 months ago 2 Members · 3 Replies
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  • 's avatar

    Guest
    August 4, 2010 at 3:53 am

    Brenda..i think its such a variable. Some people bounce back in 6 weeks..i personally took 3 months. My energy level was low…i was trying to train my new Indiana…a little sleep deprived…figuring out what to eat and how much i could eat. Getting bowel function to cooperate was fun….but hey that was me. But they do say 6 to 8 weeks and thats probably a good estimate bearing any complications. You’ve got a good doctor…i don’t believe he does the Indiana Pouch…you should ask him. I read one of his papers and he only mentioned the ileal and the neo. And the thing is the Indiana is so easy to manage once you train it to hold 450cc’s plus…you don’t have to mess with dirty airplane restrooms..yuk…or worry about wearing diapers. Yes you have to cath but only 4 times a day and you can train it to let you sleep all night. I just don’t get it? Why do they keep selling the neo to women when they know that they’re going to be hyper or hypo continent and will have to cath in an unseeable place in a less than sterile environment……ok i’m on my soapbox aren’t i? I think Dr. Chang does the Indiana? Anyway think about it and make your own decisions about what is best for you.
    pat

  • bmathews9744's avatar

    bmathews9744

    Member
    August 3, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    Thanks Pat–I knew I could count on you to tell it like it is–you have been my shinning light on my journey. It is becoming easier to make my decision with your help.
    Any idea on how much down time I will need before I can get back to work and a normal life? I travel all over the USA helping physicians open there practices.

    Brenda

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    August 3, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    Tough one…figures are not great for recurrent CIS
    Consider patients with recurrent CIS for an early cystectomy. At 5 and 10 years, approximately 70% and 30% of patients with CIS who are treated with BCG are disease free, respectively. Recurrent CIS, despite intravesical BCG, is associated with a 63% risk of progression to muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Recurrence after BCG treatment also may occur in the upper urinary tract or prostatic urethra.
    Vanderbilt is a great institution for bladder cancer. Its easy for me to say get rid of the bladder because i don’t have one…but then i don’t miss it one bit either.
    Pat

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