Today I had my third dose of BCG.
Another early appointment. The drive was uneventful and there was no problem finding parking since my appointment would be one of the first today. I figured I'd be in and out, but they were short staffed. It was just Carmen working the counter. Although she was the whole show today, she remained in good spirits and announced that she was all alone and she will do the best she could. Well that's all we can ask for.
I stood in line and waited for a spell when she called me to the counter. I gave her my name and the reason for my visit. She looked in her computer and turned to find my folder. Like other times she verified my vitals and checked to see if there were any changes. Luckily everything was the same. She gave me a specimen jar and asked that I provide a sample and have a seat. Easy enough. Done.
I returned to the waiting room and had a long wait. I brought the daily paper with me and I read the whole thing and I still hadn't been called. I arrived at 7:45 and it was now 8:30. I almost approached her and asked if I had been forgotten, but my plans were halted when my name was called.
The medical professional requested that I follow her. On the way to the examination room, I was grilled for my identification vitals. We finally reached my destination. So many examination rooms; I had not been to this one before. I was told to prepare myself and wait for Morgan (Physician's Assistant). I dropped my pants and covered up with the large napkin I was provided and waited.
Morgan arrived and indicated that the examination seat/table was wonky and might not work. Apparently a replacement is in back order. Luckily, she was able to position it so she could give me my treatment. Although the device had seen better days it was actually pretty comfortable (like a padded couch).
Morgan is very good at this. She inserted the catheter and instilled the BCG with very little discomfort. She was very quick and efficient. She said, "We're done".
She had confirmed that this was my third dose and asked if I had my cystoscopy scheduled already. I said, "It hasn't been". She instructed me to schedule the appointment before leaving.
I returned to the waiting room and there were quite a few people waiting to be checked in. I took my place in line and waited my turn. Mind you, I'm usually on my way home to begin the 2 hour marination, but I had to wait in line. Upon reaching her, she told me to go to the scheduling window. There was another line. The attendant needed to call another office to find out the availability. She asked if I could go to the Salem, NH office, but corrected herself by saying I needed to return to this office. Looking at the calendar she said the doctor is booking September. I said fine. So she gave me September 19th at 3:30PM. On the way out Carmen got my attention and indicated that I owed a co-pay. Whatever. I whipped out my card and she collected $15.00. [I still don't understand how that works. I had been charged $50.00 in the past then received a refund form Medicare.]
So I wasted about a half hour that I could have been marinating. Once home I started.
The first hour and a half was pretty much normal, but the last half hour was excruciating. I was uncertain if I was having a similar issue as last week, but I tried my best to hold out. I had 15 minutes to go, but I was in agony. I gingerly got up and slowly walked to the bathroom hoping not to have an "accident". I emptied my bladder, but once I was done, I had the urge to go (like last week). Actually I had two deposits. (I know - TMI). Well that explains my discomfort. I hope that my not doing the last 15 minutes won't change anything. Although I had an extra half hour of standing marination in the office. (I'm sure it's not the same).
For most of the day, I was running back and forth to the toilet. My bladder felt full, but the output was low. The burning was really bad. I took the pills, but they hadn't gone through my system yet. So I surrendered to the fact that I would be tethered to the toilet.
I made coffee. I hoped that would help flush my system out. I had some bleeding (expected). By 6PM I was making fewer visits. But I did not take my walk today because I didn't think it was wise, considering.
So I'm glad this round of 3 is completed. I trust that things will begin to return to normal over the next few days. I do have concerns about not making the whole two hours. Recalling my very first treatment, I had a few times when I couldn't make the whole two hours. Not sure if that was the reason why it wasn't successful the first time. So I'll worry about that until September 19th.
More to come!
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