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| Bob's Bladder | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 18 2017, 12:47 AM (1,152 Views) | |
| Trotsky | Mar 18 2017, 12:47 AM Post #1 |
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Big City Boy
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So, as feared, the lesion in Bob's bladder was cancerous. Surgeon said nearly all bladder lesions are neoplasms. So it was removed and biopsied. I need to clear up the meaning of some of the terms. It is a highly invasive type (Grade) but caught very early (Low Stage.) It has some glandular qualities??? <Meaning is confusing.> It was removed and surgeon said there is an 80% chance it was all removed, the margins were cauterized. He recommended another surgery to scrape off more to see if there is more. Since it involves another general anesthesia in a hospital and several days with another catheter, Bob has opted to skip this second look-see. His echocardiogram got an estimate from the cardiologist of a 40% Ejection Fraction, which indicates some cardiomyopathy (heart failure) so, at 90, general anesthesia is not the wisest thing. Next: This part is rather kewl. In either case (more surgery or not) they would treat with BCG ( Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy.) This is a live vaccine against bovine tuberculosis. It is squirted into the bladder and causes a "mild" flu-like infection causing killer T-cells to rush to the bladder and attack. In killing the bacteria they also kill cancer cells too small to be seen as tumors by normal cystography. The BCG is retained for about 2 hours and then peed out. As I said, BCG would be done whether or not a second biopsy was performed. (So what is the point of the second biopsy except for added risk we both ask? The BCG will be given via a small catheter once a week for 6 weeks and then after 6 weeks off, 1-3 times more and then if I understand it correctly, probably a couple times a year for a while. They give it several times because the iimmune reaction grows stronger each time. Bob is getting whacked with periodic bouts of depression that last several hours. Understandable, but still rather startling, given his normally Sunny disposition. I don't think, given survival rates that this will interfere much with his chances of making it to 100. (I am going to push for a second opinion on the heart matter. All treatments (that I know about) for heart failure involve lowering blood pressure with several hateful drugs and his blood pressure is normal to low, always has been. We made the mistake of watching an excellent move yesterday about Sam Whitfield's (Spartacus Season 1) unsuccessful bout with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. (Talk about cruel fate striking down a beautiful young man on the pinnacle of success.) Fingers crossed on the BCG treatment...I guess that could be called immunotherapy. Best is that it was not needed at all but the immune response lasts and is ready to attack if a recurrence occurs. Edited by Trotsky, Mar 18 2017, 01:00 AM.
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| Durgan | Mar 18 2017, 01:00 AM Post #2 |
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Veteran Member
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SHEEESHHHH. |
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| heatseeker | Mar 18 2017, 01:16 AM Post #3 |
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Veteran Member
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Sorry to hear this, Trotsky. |
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| Dana | Mar 18 2017, 01:18 AM Post #4 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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I hope all goes well with this treatment for Bob. |
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| Peanut | Mar 18 2017, 01:22 AM Post #5 |
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Member
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Trotsky, I'm sorry to hear of, and see that you and Bob are both going through a rough health patch at the moment. sending all my best wishes and prayers to Bob, and hope that he has a good recovery. Regards, Peanut |
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| helen_t | Mar 18 2017, 01:36 AM Post #6 |
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Red Star Member
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Very sorry to read this. Understandable that Bob is having bouts of depression. |
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| goldengal | Mar 18 2017, 02:03 AM Post #7 |
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Mistress, House of Dogs
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I too hope all goes well with Bob's treatment. Nothing worse than hearing the 'C' word. Take care, Pat |
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| angora | Mar 18 2017, 02:44 AM Post #8 |
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WWS Book Club Coordinator
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Hi Trotsky, not the best thing to hear, that's for sure. It sounds very hopeful though. I'll just add that I told you a while ago about my son's mil. She was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had the operation which removed the cancerous tissue. That was about 5 years ago and she is still going strong. She did suffer quite a depression but is over that too now. She is almost 90 herself now. It might be encouraging to hear about someone else who has had the problem and is now doing well. I hope so. Tell Bob that we feel as though we know him and are wishing him the same intensity of concern that we would feel for any good friend. wub |
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| agate | Mar 18 2017, 04:07 AM Post #9 |
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That horrible word again. good to read that Bob's prognosis sounds very good and wishing him the best outcome. |
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| blizzard | Mar 18 2017, 04:16 AM Post #10 |
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Gold Star Member
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It is always sad to hear cancer. So glad it was discovered relatively early and a decision has been made to best treat it without unnecessary surgery. Heart problems are scary. I do hope the bouts of depression Bob is having ease quickly. I can certainly understand why he is having them. Hoping for an excellent outcome. Remember to take care of yourself too. |
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| erka | Mar 18 2017, 04:58 AM Post #11 |
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Gold Star Member
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Trotsky: The dreaded "C" word. When my Dad was in his 70's, he had bladder cancer. With treatment (injection of a experimental solution), he lived another 10 years and was able to continue the activities he loved (gardening/socializing/traveling/dinners out). |
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| Olive Oil | Mar 18 2017, 05:25 AM Post #12 |
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Gold Star Member
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Sorry that Bob has that scary diagnosis but I think there is every hope that he will do very well, especially with the early diagnosis. Still a real depressing situation for both of you. |
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| FuzzyO | Mar 18 2017, 08:35 AM Post #13 |
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I'm so sorry you two are facing this. Sounds like quite an innovative treatment, though not much fun! Best wishes and positive vibes to you both. |
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| David | Mar 18 2017, 08:57 AM Post #14 |
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Sorry to hear this Trotsky. Considering Bob's age and staging, his prognosis is hopeful though. Best of luck to you both. |
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| Shorty | Mar 18 2017, 12:41 PM Post #15 |
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Red Star Member
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Though not the word you want to hear, you are living in the best area for care. If Bob wasn't showing that he's depressed, I'd be more worried about him. It's all overwhelming. Good luck to both of you. |
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