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Questions for the ladies, invasive nature of BCG.
I just had my 4th instillation of BCG (TaHG here). I have found these instillations very psychologically uncomfortable. In 4 instillations, I’ve had 3 different people do them (yay for vacation schedules).
My own doc did #1; very rough, no Lidicaine. I didn’t know to ask for it.
#2 was supposed to be his associate, but the nurse did it (quietly explained each step, used lidocaine, no pain).
#3, the associate; comes in when I’m already spread eagle (nurse I didn’t know had done the prep, even with Lidocaine the catheterization made me cry out); GREETS MY HUSBAND but not me! I said “Hi, I’m Nancy and I’M the patient!” He quickly introduced himself; asked me if I had any reactions to the previous treatments. I told him chronic fatigue flare and bladder cramps with diarrhea; he goes into a whole “bladder cramps don’t cause diarrhea” while I am laying there, catheterized and exposed. I interrupt him with “Maybe we can continue this conversation when I’m not exposed with my genitals in view of whomever opens the curtain.” He gulps, agrees, does the infusion, and then contradicts himself by saying that due to referred nerve impulses, bladder spasms CAN indeed cause diarrhea! So what was all that then?
#4; my doc and nurse again. She was about to do the setup when he suddenly comes in and decides he’ll do it. Forget about Betadine swab, he’s SCRUBBING. I say “ouch” and right then he SLAMS into the side of my clitoris. I yelled “hey, be careful! That’s a clitoris!!” and instead of simply apologizing, he argued with me that he didn’t hit it! IT’S MY BODY. I KNOW what I felt! Even the nurse flinched! So, I gave him a fast and graphic anatomy lesson about where the tissue extends to. When he realized his error, he kept saying “I’m sorry” over and over, but damage done. From now on, only the nurse will be allowed to do prep.
It’s not just that the procedure hurts/is uncomfortable. It’s not just that a bit of…overzealous attention led to one sharp blast of pain. It’s not just that it took a doctor a bit of time to focus on me as a vulnerable patient. It’s the fact that RESPECT goes a really long way when you are so very exposed.
This is a cancer that is one predominantly composed of male patients, and male doctors. Are any other women facing similar issues?