Keeping Bladder Cancer at Bay

I took a break from moderating on BladderCancer.net to focus all my energy on getting through treatment. I knew it would be challenging to face another year of maintenance intravesical chemotherapy with Mitomycin after the first year with Gemcitabine failed.

I lost count of how many total rounds I have received, as I am exhausted by the last 3 years. It has been quite a different experience from when I first developed bladder cancer in 2005 at age 47. I had several recurrences every 2 years until 2012, undergoing 4 transurethral resections of bladder tumors (TURBTs) and receiving only two doses of Mitomycin in the process. They were followed by 10 years without disease, and I thought I was cured.

Bladder tear delayed chemo at first

When the initial "new" recurrence came in 2021, the diagnosing urologist did not administer chemo due to bladder perforation during TURBT. I wore a catheter for 7 days, and the cancer recurred 6 months later. However, treatment was delayed while I sought care from a new bladder cancer specialist.

By the end of 2022, I endured another TURBT and finished a 6-week intravesical induction with Gemcitabine, followed by one year of maintenance chemotherapy: once a week for 3 weeks, then follow-up cystoscopy every 3 months. It probably seems confusing. But the worst part is that at the end of that cycle, having struggled to hold the chemo instillations due to painful bladder spasms, the cancer recurred.

Several years later, I am clear

In June 2023, we started all over again: TURBT followed by a Mitomycin, then a 6-week induction, cystoscopy, and one year of maintenance. The good news is my checkups have been good. There is no recurring cancer, and I have handled Mitomycin much better than Gemcitabine with no true side effects. I just had an instillation yesterday with one more to go next month. My final 3-month cystoscopy - at least, I hope it will be the last - is scheduled for December 11.

Mental strength is critical in healing

The blessing in my experience is that my particular bladder cancer has always been early-stage. In all honesty, the biggest challenge is enduring through the mental, physical, and emotional toll it takes to live with chronic bladder cancer. My choice to drive 40 miles to receive the best care in the region has made it more exhausting. But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Nevertheless, it's been a battle to keep going. I am convinced that mental fortitude is critical for fighting illness, especially cancer. My heart goes out to everyone who has made difficult decisions for treatment plans and endured the painful healing process.

Cancer is not in charge

I am 66 now and feeling that it might be time to retire and rest my soul, mind, and body. My hope is that we are in the homestretch of this long treatment process, and I will be able to relax for at least another 10 years. But since mine is a chronic form of bladder cancer, I remain prepared to keep fighting to prevent it from progressing. As I like to say (and so does my t-shirt), cancer is not in charge.