Consultation after 2nd TURBT

Hi Barneybear . A second TURBT is fairly common so try not to read to much in to that . At the consultation your Dad should get the pathology results from the biopsies taken. This should give a stage and grade. The stage is how advanced it is and the stage is the type of cell. You can read up on stage and grade as well as treatment options on THIS  Macmillan site. Your Dad really needs someone with him at the meeting as you can be overwhelmed with information which is hard to take in. A second pair of ears always help. There are various treatments going forward and will be dictated by the results. Further test and scans may be needed. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.

I know it's difficult when you are concerned about your parents, but it is important to remember that they may want privacy and independence in such matters. Hopefully they will appreciate that you are worried and keen to be involved as much as possible so as to be able to provide support as needed. 

Having 2 TURBTS implies a high grade cancer, so he will likely be offered some sort of treatment to deter further tumours (BC is highly recurrent). As rily says, he may well have some other tests eg CT scan for them to have a full picture before recommending best course of action. Hope all goes well. 

Hi

Two turbts does not mean it is high grade, there are many reasons why people have two and it is recommended standard practice by the guidelines.

best regards

I agree with Bsk7f940d,  having a second TURBT was described as standard practice to me. My tumour was Grade 2 so kind of middle grade. It meant I was presented a choice between BCG or bladder removal. I would also support Rily's suggestion that having extra pairs of ears in the room when results are described is very very helpful. Teaswill's makes a good point about your dad's need for privacy, we are talking about intimate treatments, so hopefully your mum can be there for him? He doesn't have to make anything snap decisions, he can ask for time to reflect on treatment choices so hopefully he will feel able to discuss things with you afterwards. Having the support of a loving adult child was my life saver during the three and a half years of treatment I experienced. Sending you very best wishes for results day. Hxx

Barneybear,

Sorry to hear about your Dad. I'm afraid we are always 'the child' to our parents though there is a crossover point when suddenly our daughter becomes our Mum. I've been both in my time (often in the space of one day). 

I was useless when my mother had  ladder cancer - too young and self-centred but my daughter has been a great support to both of us parents since my diagnosis. In this instance I would rely on your mother for this meeting, maybe give her some thoughts on questions to ask etc. The main things to understand being:

• is the cancer muscle-invasive or not
• What treatment path is recommended and when 
• What does that involve
• Are there alternatives and what would they entail, and probable outcomes 
• What support will he need

Personally I wouldn't get too hung up on stage and grade. If your Dad or Mum like facts and figures they may want to know. Otherwise they may just focus on getting themselves set up to get to whatever treatment they decide he needs to have. My husband focused on potential useful life after treatment. I focused on getting rid of the thing.

You can be very helpful if they want to discuss afterwards and in making practical decisions eg getting to treatment sessions.

Don't worry about not being in on this meeting, no father wants to dicuss whether he'll be impotent afterwards with his daughter in the room.

All the best,

Latestart

Thank you for your kind reply. My dad has finally agreed for me to sit in at his appointment tomorrow. I will ask the questions you have mentioned above hopefully it won’t be as bad as I’m imagining.

Write it down if you can or, if they agree, record it on your phone. Then you can play it back/re-read it. Remember they're only people but because they do it so often they may not think to explain so if you want more info just ask.

All the best,

Latestart

Hi latestart, 

Dad’s appointment went better than l thought it would. He has high grade non muscle invasive cancer the op managed to remove most of the tumour only residual cells may remain so dad has to have BCG treatment for 3 years with regular monitoring every three months. If you have also experienced BCG treatment any advice as to what to expect would be appreciated. Once again thanks for your support 

Barney bear

Glad it went well. I have never had BCG (at least not for bladder cancer), mine was invasive so chemo, bladder removal, stoma and immunotherapy. 

All rhe best,

Latestart

Good news at last. BCG instillations are painless and the procedure literally takes minutes. You have to hold the BCG in the bladder for two hours before urinating. Your Dad will feel uncomfortable for 24 hours or so with frequent need to empty his bladder and often stinging when urinating. After 24 hours or so he should be back to normal. I hope your Dad sails through the BCG treatment.