Thank you all for your advice.
I completely understand what each and every one of you are saying. I have complete confidence in my doctor and in fact after I sent out the last blog we sat down and had a two hour conference. You would be amazed as to the results of that meeting.
Regardless, I wish the very best for each and every one of you. The "Dutch Uncle" response was also appreciated, however, things have changed.
I have done a lot of research on this bladder cancer issue. I have a well respected pathologist in the family, the chair of Urology at a major hospital in the south is a personal friend of mine. I have another relative that is a charge nurse on a cancer wing in CO and 2 other general physicians in the family. Consulted all including the good people on this site. I 've come to the conclusion it's all a personal choice and only one person can make that choice. Physicians do not tell you all!!!!!. The lady that had breast cancer and then bladder cancer God Bless her. I don't know what kind of treatment we done regarding the breast cancer. But I'd like to share some additional information on this bladder cancer issue.
Please do not think for one minute that I don't take this serious. I have not given up the fight - in fact - I just began the fight and I intend to hit this problem so hard that it will be gone once and for all.
Now I know the current protocol and most of you seem to believe that's the way to go. I do to up to a point. You get 6 washes, they wait 4 to 6 weeks look and if everything LOOKS ok you start maintenance 3 washes in 3 months, look again, looks good 3 more washes in 6 months, etc., etc., etc. All along the physician wants to knock the cancer in the head back to remission. That's the Protocol.
At this point that is not what I want to happen. First of all the initial 6 week treatment is only 70% successful and they can only do it twice - then what - take the bladder. My bladder is going nowhere. We are going to kill the cancer once and for all if the initial treatment does not work and before the cancer gets out.
My Dr. finally admitted that after he removed the high grade cancer tumor he believed he got it all. But to be sure he went back in and did a TURBT around where the tumor was removed and found out I had severe dyplasia. Now to determine that he had to go into the muscle to be sure the dysplasia was in the lining and not entered the muscle. Now he tells me bladder cancer is very aggressive and I can expect to have more tumors. At least that's the odds. Well by going into the muscle and opening was created but he, the physician states, ODDS are no cancerous cells will enter that microscopic opening - you know like a microscopic cancer cell. He really just could not guarantee anything.
Well I just don't like time for things to develop the wrong way so we (The Dr and I) have decided on a new protocol. One for guys that don't want to wait and see if bladder removal is the solution.
I agreed to go through the first 6 week treatment. After that the physician will not just LOOK but do another TURBT to find out what the condition of the bladder really is. In fact I want him to take a few samples around the bladder. If severe dyplasia and/or cancer cells exists we have to make a decision. And as of right now if this first treatment does not work I'll electing full blown systemic chemo. And I'm fully aware of those side effects. I refuse to wait and see for years with numerous washes. If you are going to kill it - kill it. I know some will say well bladder removal is not that bad. I just happen to be one that disagrees with that position. So, I'm giving the treatment the 70% chance and will stay positive that with God's Grace I'll be in that 70%. Thank all of you for your valuable input. WJJJCM