Grade 3 non invasive bladder cancer

Hi Chrisb34, yes I have grade 3 Bladder Cancer, non invasive (pta) 

5 years ago I had 15 BCGs, I managed that very well, not much of a problem and all very doable. To start with I had check ups every 3 months then it went to every 6 months and after 7 years clear I was told i would have yearly check ups for life. I’m not having any treatment since I finished the BCG just the check ups. I’m also under no illusion it won’t return.

It’s 5 and a half years since I first got BC and now I just carry on as I did before, apart from smoking, I stopped that the day Cancer was mentioned.

Anything you want to know just ask away.

Sue Xx

I also had pTaG3. Was offered a choice of BCG or bladder removal & for various reasons chose surgery. That was over 6 years ago & with a clear post op path report was told I am most likely cured. Still have annual check ups just in case & to make sure my new plumbing working OK.

It can all be very daunting but often not as bad as anticipated. As Sue says, ask anything here, there's usually someone who can answer.

Hi Chrisb34. I have just seen your other post in the Ask a Nurse section. You mention cbt, but I assume you mean BCG as Sue says above. You say non invasive and grade G3. BCG treatment is standard for this and we have many here who have had the treatment successfully. You also say you are worried you may not see your son grow up. This is a feeling many of us have gone through. Just the word cancer strikes fear in us all, but we are still here. I was diagnosed with invasive and aggressive bc over four years ago, and I have been clear since. I have just got back from the races at Aintree, so life does go on. Once your treatment plan gets under way, this takes away some of the anxiety as you know something positive is happening. Stick with us and ask anything you like. Best wishes.

I was thinking about the Removal but unsure how long does it take before you can live a normal life and is it pain full don’t know what to do 

Yes sorry do mean that and thank you for your response means a lot so there is hope out there just was so overwhelmed with it all and worry all the time when I get pain thinking it’s the cancer growing I know it’s draft think that but it’s the way my mind working at the minute just had uni getting over that to but means a lot so thank you 

Chrisb34, I would go along with what the surgeon advised you to do, but you could try BCG they give it for 6 weeks then you have another TURBT to see if the BCG is working, if so carry on with it, if not they would most likely advise some other treatment including bladder removal (RC) but once that’s done there’s no going back.

Sue Xx

Hi it’s been 16 days since my last turtb. And still weeing blood is this normal it’s only happend twice but I do have a uti at the minute is this normal and I am taking antibiotics for it 

Hi Chrisb34. Around the two week mark following a TURBT, the scab on the wound starts to break away as part of the natural healing process. it is not unusual to see tiny blood clots or mild blood in the urine at this time. Obviously if the blood gets worse or excessive, then speak to the medics. Best wishes.

Ok thank you just some blood and 3 clots came out but on  antibiotics  For a uti which I thought it would not do it when on them am un sure if the antibiotics are working as weeing blood and clots but as you said could be scabs they have come off as I don’t know why I would be peeing clots thanks 

Bladder removal is a major op, does take months to fully recover. to give you an idea, I started resuming leisure activities outside of home at 6 weeks post op & phased return to work at 3 months. It was about 8 months before I was doing everything without fatigue at the end of the day.

I terms of time of work I reckoned surgery would take about the same, all in one go, as BCG might over the full 3 year induction & maintenance programme.

Shouldn't be any significant pain - especially if robotic surgery. I was off painkillers by about day 10 although various twinges continued on & off for some time after.

The problem is that no-one knows if BCG will cure or not or merely delay the need for surgery. My surgeon said BCG would be a reasonable option with TaG3 - just wasn't my choice.