Part 2 of Bladder Exam

By Xtbird

1 min read

Well, today I received my transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT). IV went in easy, they briefed me and then I got the good stuff. I don't remember anything. The doctor said he cut out the spot since it was so small. He said using the heat to burn it off wouldn't leave much if any tissue to give to pathology. Once he got the report he burned the area around it just to be sure.

Feeling Gratitude

I'm sooooo lucky my doctor was proactive and wanted me to do this if not it would have been another year and who knows then?

My dad had bladder cancer and passed away 2 yrs ago but covid did it, not the cancer which was in remission.

Following TURBT

I'm peeing fire right now and blood, some small pieces of tissue or clots, I guess. I am wearing a diaper but no catheter. I go back next week for a follow-up post-surgery.

This site sure helped calm me down and what to expect.

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Laura MacKenzie Member
<inline-mention username="Xtbird" user-id="6714707"/> hi. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. Glad the site and forum were a support to you. Wishing you well with your follow up. Let us know how you go. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
CommunityMember643879 Member
Anyone out there decline BCG treatment and regret it?
1. Linda Urbanski Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember643879" user-id="6889118"/> I hope that someone responds to your question. Are you considering BCG or has it been recommended that you try it? We are always happy to help out if possible. My best to you. Linda Urbanski (moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>bladdercancer.net</a> team member)
CommunityMember643879 Member
<inline-mention username="Linda Urbanski" user-id="2062957"/> they do want me to start treatments here in a few weeks with the BCG I just don't know if I want to go that route
1. Phil Norris Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember643879" user-id="6889118"/> I hope you are doing ok and managing to find some respite in the middle of this storm. I have a couple of links which may be of use to you at this time. Choosing your treatment path is a personal decision and it needs to feel right to you. My mom decided not to go down the BCG route and instead opted for an RC instead. You can watch her video about making her decision here: <a href='https://bladdercancer.net/video/deciding-between-bcg-cystectomy' target='_blank'>https://bladdercancer.net/video/deciding-between-bcg-cystectomy</a> Additionally, our editorial team have written an article about the realities of BCG treatment. You can read this article here: <a href='https://bladdercancer.net/living/expect-bcg-treatment' target='_blank'>https://bladdercancer.net/living/expect-bcg-treatment</a>. One final article which may help in your decision making is this article: <a href='https://bladdercancer.net/living/difference-mitomycin-bcg' target='_blank'>https://bladdercancer.net/living/difference-mitomycin-bcg</a> which discusses the difference between mitomycin and BCG. I hope that these help, even if only just a little bit. Please keep us updated on your progress and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any more support, advice or assistance. Phil, Moderator, <inline-mention username="BladderCancer.net Team" user-id="6713344"/> 
2. Linda Urbanski Member
 CommunityMembere643879 - As others have stated, there are not guarantees in life unfortunately. In my personal journey I was told that high grade cancer has a very high recurrence rate and without treatment it could return at a higher stage. I chose RC over BCG for this reason. I am not a medical professional but know that BCG can be effective for many people but not all. I believe that doctors try to "get all" of the cancer that they can see or are able during a TURBT but it takes a bad cell or two for a recurrence. Many people do well with BCG while some choose other treatments such as RC. I think that possibly your doctor is indicating that with no treatments your possibilities of recurrence are high. What is important is the you decide how to move forward with the best medical advice you can get. Have you had a second opinion ? Wishing you the best. Linda Urbanski ( moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>Bladdercancer.net</a> team member)
Stanwithnoplan Member
It's good to see how others are dealing with BC. I was diagnosed about 6 months ago. I'm not going to have any treatment because of all of the other things that are wrong and the pain that goes along with them. They can't fix them and I am tired of begging for some pain relief. There were good doctors and some bad ones. But even with the proof, they would rather label me as an addict and drug seeker. I guess it's a power trip and of course the money. I would like to hear from others who have decided not to go with the treatments, to see how they are getting along. It's nice to hear about the progress that others have with the treatments and advances that they have come up with. For now I consider it all as destiny and now I know what mine is so I will deal with that. Best of luck to everyone and thanks for sharing.
1. Linda Urbanski Member
 <inline-mention username="Stanwithnoplan" user-id="6146726"/> It is certainly unfortunate that you feel you are being labeled versus provided help with the pain you are experiencing. I agree that there are good and not as good doctors that we encounter in our lives. I have been very fortunate to be able to weed out the ones I do not feel will provide benefit to me and have had success with the team who got me through my bladder cancer journey. I wish I had a good response to provide but wish you the best with the choice you have made. Doing what is best for you and having support when you do that is all we can ask for. Keep us posted on how things are going. We are always here to provide support and information from our personal experiences. My best to you. Linda Urbanski (moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>Bladdercancer.net</a> team member)
2. Laura MacKenzie Member
 <inline-mention username="Stanwithnoplan" user-id="6146726"/> sorry to hear your are having a difficult time. What’s important is your medical team has your best interests at the fore of everything. If you don’t feel that is the case, you should consider a change of team and maybe get a different perspective on things. Wishing you well. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
Stanwithnoplan Member
The thought is appreciated, thank you.
1. Linda Urbanski Member
 <inline-mention username="Stanwithnoplan" user-id="6146726"/> Absolutely. Please reach out any time. I wish that the options were better at this time. My best to you. Keep us updated. Linda Urbanski (moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>Bladdercancer.net</a> team member)
CommunityMember643879 Member
I asked my doctor percentage of recurrence if I did not do BCG treatments he said 100%.. I just don't know how he could say such a thing I understand no guarantees whether I do treatments or not but how could he come back with that response it's really changed my whole mind about everything where I thought I was okay with things after having my two surgeries that he thought he got it all and second time in said he didn't see anything and then he came back with thay comment very confusing
1. CommunityMember643879 Member
 <inline-mention username="Laura MacKenzie" user-id="4260298"/> I would love to get a second opinion but I don't even know how to go about that. . through the same Cleveland clinic but different doctor or go to a different hospital, University hospital and their urologists oncologist??
2. Laura MacKenzie Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember643879" user-id="6889118"/> hi. I am not medically trained but if you want a second opinion, you need to get an appointment with a different urologist. It doesn’t need to be a difference hospital but it may be more comfortable for you. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
CommunityMember643879 Member
I have an appointment to meet with my doctor on the 31st and will get all my questions out... If he had told me there was a high reoccurrence with ladder cancer I could have understood that... I will probably go ahead with the treatments at least for the first round and see where we are at my 3-month checkup... I'm not so worried about the affect the treatment will have on me but the fact that they will go up through my urethra at least seven times for this round and I worry about it being stretched out...having accidents, going more often & how it's going to affect my bladder....
1. CommunityMember643879 Member
 <inline-mention username="Linda Urbanski" user-id="2062957"/> I already feel like just having the two surgeries and having the catheter in for a week each time that I go to the bathroom more often and feel like I have to go even when I don't
2. Laura MacKenzie Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember643879" user-id="6889118"/> sounds like a plan. Good luck and let us know how you go. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
CommunityMember643879 Member
No I know its liquid ...but they still have to put the catheter in for each treatment and then the follow-up visit so that's seven times and that's just one round
1. Laura MacKenzie Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember643879" user-id="6889118"/> it is definitely a lot to deal with. Sending you the strength you need for the next steps to come. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
CommunityMember643879 Member
Thank you!!!