BCG query

Hi Jessie15 welcome to the forum. Its ok to not be ok and honestly none of us cope that well but we all do cope in different ways and thats ok and you are allowed to have bad days so please dont be too hard on yourself. I wonder if you might like to give the Macmillan Line a call and chat to one of the Advisors there as they are great listeners and no appointment is needed. 08088080000. 

Sending some huge big hugs your way for now and please give them a call. They are there until 8pm each night and from 8am everyday.     

Hi Jessie15 . BCG usually starts with a six week course. From there it depends on the individuals and stage and grade of the cancer. I am sure people will be along to share experiences. As regards talking to family, in the early days I tried to keep my feelings and fears to myself. I then found out they were really worried because they did not know what was happening and didn't like being kept in the dark, fearing the worst. I started to share everything and found it helped all of us. Once everything was out in the open we could talk things through. Best wishes.

Hi Jessie I’m very new to all this and loads of other people will have better advice but what I realise already that if you feel bad that’s ok. Please don’t judge yourself. This is hard. I hate that I’ve brought sadness and fear to my family. But I don’t need and you don’t need the extra stress. Cancer affects one in two people. Xx

Thanks Joyce xx

Thanks Rily. 

Thank you Gail, I will x

Hi Jessie,With regard to the emotional aspect it’s ok to not be ok.Of course we all want to be strong and positive but it’s exhausting having to stay strong if we don’t feel it.Personally I found it easier to go along with the emotions rather than fight them.I had a particularly bad day early on when I was crying along with my sister.It helped us both.You are still very early in your diagnosis and you are bound to have the odd low day.I used to listen to music as there were tracks for every emotion.I hope it all goes well on Saturday.Love Jane xx

Hi Jessie, my tips are:

Try not to look too far ahead - take each day as it comes 

If like me you need to feel you have a measure of control, understand what doctors etc are telling you, ask questions, slow things down until you are clear what is involved. Take notes, think about what you want. If you don't want to know too much that's ok too.

Your family aren't blaming you for becoming ill. If you can, try to let them see you are able to face things - they will worry if you look like you can't cope at all. But if you need comforting or support from time to time they will feel they are helping if you ask for it. Mine have become a very supportive and loving team

I'm not very emotional - my mother's mantra was 'what can't be cured must be endured'. I look at it now as meaning the fact I have cancer is non- negotiable so I have to cope with the treatment to come out the other end, when hopefully I will be cured. If not I'll face that then.

I try and laugh as much as I can.The family say that my sense of humour has helped them through this. In fact I have not cried, over my diagnosis or since, but that's just me. I'm not very brave - I suppose I decided not to fill up my life with cancer when there are lots of other things I'd prefer to think about.

Lots of us have cancer. We all have to find our own way to deal with it. I hope you can find a way that is bearable for you and your family.

Good luck on Saturday. You can do it!

Love,

Latestart x

Good evening Jessie15. I had 15 BCG and after this a decision was made to transfer to mitomycin . I had no reaction to BCG and never experienced any side effects. My conclusion is that worry about the new experience and the unknown are the cause of anxiety so after the first instillation the mystery is dissipated. After 15 mitomycin I reached the same conclusion and experienced no side effects. Reactions are what you experience after an event not in anticipation . Clear your mind and deal with this very simple procedure for what it is , best wishes, John.

Thank you very much for this. I’m going to take some of your wise words on board.x