BCG is weird, and my brain is not my friend

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Hi,
First of all, I'm not actually complaining, 'cause I'm fairly sure my BCG side effects have been more mild than most. I mean, I downright understand I've had it easy in some respects.
But every week of BCG is different, that's for sure.
This weekend was No. 5 of 6 of my induction course and came after I'd had a week off because the urologist's office was closed the Friday of Thanksgiving week.
Comparatively, this one's been a booger. Some real burners on the pees the night of the installation (Friday), and then some some red, junky urine on Saturday, Sunday and today (Monday).
Also this time (and new to me) some soreness and some bladder cramps or spasms. Nothing that makes me double over or anything, but they do get a guy's attention and make you go, "Yeah, I'm going to need just a second to gather myself."
As usual, my brain remains less than helpful.
Me being me, the noggin' goes straight to, "Why this now and not earlier?" "Does this mean The Big C is back or never left? Or is this just the Battle in the Bladder that immunotherapy has to be?"
Obviously, as all of us have experienced, there's no way of really knowing much until the next scope (cystoscopy) ... but danged if my head doesn't go there regardless. I suppose I'll be a real mess between the ears by the time of my next scope.
Anyway, onward we go. I do manage to laugh at myself fairly often.
Take care, all.
Mark

MarkinUS 1 month ago in reply to Odin

Good luck!
For sure, the installations are a roller coaster.
I got to the point where the installation day and night of generally weren't too bad ... except for the burning on the evening of No. 6.
I found the day after was the worst for fatigue.
Then there was the plain old odd stuff, like you go a couple days with zero side effects, then you take a bloody, junky pee out of nowhere.
Really, I doubt there's any meaning to be taken from any one side effect ... it's just the way BCG therapy goes. But, you know, my brain gets overactive!
Hang in. If there's a chance it helps us keep our bladders, it's worth the effort!

Odin 1 month ago in reply to Odin

Had no.3 best so far even managed to hold it in for the required hour then the next two hours was every few minutes but hardly worth the effort 2 1/2 pints of liquid and 4 hours after it is easing of. Hopefully the effects this time will be ok for now 3 down and three to go. Hopefully your treatment gets easier for you.

MarkinUS 1 month ago in reply to Odin

Thanks, Odin.
I'm on pause now until I have a cystoscopy in late January.
I think one of the aggravating things for me about BCG therapy was that we have/had no idea as to how well it is/was working ... yet there's not much to do but show up and go through it.
That said ... with my HGT1, it does seem to be the standard treatment unless one wants to jump straight to a radical cystectomy, which I sure didn't.
Hope your side effects stay manageable.
Would I do another cycle if they said it might help me keep my bladder? Yeah, I think I would.

Odin 1 month ago in reply to MarkinUS

My tumour was removed when I had a biopsy in Oct it was contained within the bladder lining and my ct scan was clear so mine is preventative but I agree no one knows until we have a a camera in the bladder or a biopsy. At least in the uk we don’t have to worry about paying for it which takes some pressure of. Also any counselling is free.