Third Round Of Three

I had a dose of BCG this morning.  For this round, it was the third.  I'm happy that this round is done and grateful I don't have 6 rounds as I had in the past. As my body reminds me, this is cumulative, meaning the side effects get exponential with each subsequent dose.  For my first two rounds (other than having to deal with vertigo during number one) up until today, the side effects and recovery time had been quite manageable. However, the side effects have been quite pronounced today.  

After having an uneventful commute and in-office instillation by Jenna, I proceeded to do my two hour marination.  First hour was tolerable, but the second hour what quite uncomfortable.  Despite my preparations and 'eating light' yesterday, Mother Nature had a large deposit that needed to be released.  I tried to soldier through, but the pain of my colon pressing on my inflamed (and full) bladder was too much.  I barely made it to the 1 hr 35 minute mark.  In quite a bit of internal pain, I made it to the throne and did my business.  I took some UTI medicine immediately in hopes that it would start providing relief for the burning. I did note that I got home and 9 and by the time I gave up, it had been 11.  Two hours there, but shy of the last two roll arounds. The pain was just too much.

Since 11, I've not been far from the toilet.  Pretty much every 10 minutes, I had the urge and yielded very little (thimble full).  This time I could feel all my lymph nodes screaming and providing my body with what felt like electrical shocks. As visits transpired, I began to notice my passing clots (expected and normal reaction).  I was still waiting for the urine to start changing color (fluorescent orange) to indicate that the medicine (relief) was kicking in.  3 hours and very little orange tinge, but lots of clots, but at this point no blood.

I'm hoping the UTI meds begin to kick in and the clots clear up.  I have been drinking lots of water to flush out the system.

Other than these symptoms, I'm feeling pretty blah, the weather is really nice, so I haven't had any chills.  I hope things begin to calm down so I can take my walk.  We'll see.

So, my next step is to heal.  Then on July 31st, I'm scheduled to have an in-office cystoscopy.  Fingers crossed.

More to come!

Love It When Things Go Smoothly

Round Two Of Three

Made sure my alarm was set and turned on today.  Got up made black tea, read the paper, left early and got to my appointment with time to spare.  Check in was uneventful.  They collected my co-pay (even got a receipt).  I hardly waited anytime when I heard my name.

A 'new' guy escorted me to a familiar examination room.  Quizzed me on some vitals, then told me to drop trow to my ankles, cover up and wait for Jenna.  I don't recall having her before.

A few minutes transpired and Jenna arrived. (She looked familiar, but I wasn't certain). While looking at her file, she said, "You are here for your second BCG, right?" After my confirmation, she began to prepare her implements.  She was quick and there was very little discomfort.  Upon her completion, she asked if I knew about the two hour hold in.  I said, "All too well."  She chuckled and said she'll see me next week.

Ride home was uneventful and I did my two full hours of marination.  I needed to be close to the bathroom since I had the urge to go about every ten minutes (normal).  I had taken over-the-counter UTI medicine (AZO) and it usually takes about an hour to produce florescent orange pee.  This medication eases some of the burning and reduces the 'need to go' time.  I noticed that my supply needed replenishing so I bought more on eBay.  It should arrive early next week.  (Monday is a holiday, so Tuesday?)

So today was a blah day.  I did some recycling, loaded the dish washer, made blueberry muffins then a sandwich. I waited until later in the day to take my walk, but it wasn't as long, since I wanted to be close to home in case I had the urge.

More to come!

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Today was my first of three rounds of BCG.  Having gone through this many times before, I was already accustomed to all the unpleasantness, but am thankful for the treatment that 'works'.

Having an early appointment, I set my alarm for 7AM.  Unfortunately, I forgot to turn it on..DOH!  On the bright side, I was awake at 7:08AM so I lucked out.  But, the reason I was awake is the clincher.  

At 5AM, I had a call from nature, but as I stood from the bed, the room was spinning.  Just what I needed.  Vertigo decided to make a return.  I hadn't had an episode since January 2024.  I bumped into walls on the way to the bathroom, then was hoping I could find a good position where the dizziness would subside.  Luckily, I found one, but the anxiety of the episode and the first round of BCG kept me from falling asleep.  As I lay there thinking about things, I glanced at the clock and OMG, I'm late.

I stood and was greeted with dizziness.  I raised my head to a position where it was tolerable.   I was able to take my meds check my blood pressure and have a cup of green tree.  Each time I deviated from the 'safe' position, the spinning would start. I did manage to keep that position while driving, but as I needed to turn my head to watch for traffic and taking turns, I could feel the dizziness coming back.  I was happy that I had no stopping for the train or signal issues and arrived at the Urologist's office.

By this time I knew the 'safe' positions for my head.  So check in was uneventful.  It wasn't too long before I heard my name being called.  I was grilled for my information and brought to yet another examination room.  After taking some vitals, I was told to prepare myself for the instillation.

With pants down to my ankles and my head trying to keep in the safe spot, Torri (NP) arrived.  She has the best disposition.  Really bubbly personality and talked through the whole thing and before I knew it I was done.  She said, "By now you know about the two hour 'marination'.  I'll see you next week."

The ride home was uneventful and the dizziness appeared to calm down a little.  I started my two hour flip around and hoped that one of my positions wouldn't trigger the Vertigo.  There were a few times when I could feel it coming back, but I managed to avoid it.  I almost made the whole two hours, but nature had a delivery that was pressing on my bladder.  Really uncomfortable.  But I was able to empty myself completely.

Feeling kind of domestic, I paid bills online; made blueberry muffins; dropped off some recycling; did two loads of laundry and decided to finish my taxes.  I guess I should have waited on that last part.  H&R Block program told me there was an update.  Did that.  Continued.  Printed out a copy for my records.  Then was unsuccessful in eFiling.  First it said the servers where busy.  I waited then tried again.  Told me that the program needed to be updated.  AGAIN!  I tried 5 times.  (Definition of insanity is attempting the same thing expecting a different outcome.)  I was in no mood.  I printed everything out and I'll be mailing.  So tomorrow, after my dermatology appointment, I'll be at the post office.

As the day progressed the dizziness subsided.  I was all set to do the Epley Maneuver (used to move the canaliths out of the canals so they stop causing symptoms), but things calmed down.

So manged to get some things accomplished without caffeine today.  I hope I sleep well tonight and remember to turn on my alarm. 

As an aside, it only took about a week for my new medicare replacement card to arrive.  And true to form, my old one was right where it was supposed to be, but it was stuck on the back of another card.  I felt somewhat vindicated because it's not like me to lose things.  Now I have two cards.

More to come!

Shape Of Things To Come?

Late Night Squeeze

On Monday, March 31st, I arrived at the Methuen Holy Family Breast Cancer Care Unit (BCCU) for my annual mammogram.  From my previous blog, I had mentioned that this was originally scheduled for March 17th then rescheduled for the 19th (at their request), but a the last minute cancelled to accommodate their switch over to a new computer system. Stewart Health sold their two Holy Family hospitals to Lawrence General.  So with new ownership comes new systems, etc. But, I was not rescheduled and time had been running out.  I had an appointment with my oncologist already scheduled to review the results. So my primary care doctor gave me referral paperwork and I called to book the mammogram.

Probably due to the late hour, traffic was light and the hospital seemed like a ghost town.  Having been to the  BCCU a few times, I knew the location and arrived with 5 minutes to spare.  There was no one in waiting room, and check-in was quick.  I was given some paperwork to complete and as I was filling in inforation, a medical professional said, "I'll be with you shortly".  A few minutes later she returned and told me her name (didn't really hear it).  She told me she was going to be the technician.  She asked me to follow her.

We walked down to the mammogram room and after asking me to remove my shirt and undershirt, she pulled up my record and reviewed my vitals and asked a few questions. Finally we were ready.

She was very clear on how I should stand; how to lean in; and where to place my arms.  Not having much meat on my breast, she managed to get me into a position for the big squeeze.  Uncomfortable is not a strong enough word.  Just when I thought I was done, she asked me to change positions and place my arm 'just so'.  Squeezed again, then she said, "We are done".

She instructed me to dress and indicated that the results would be reviewed and sent to the doctor.  I too would receive something in the mail.  [In hind sight, I should have asked which doctor the results would be going to.  My primary care gave me the referral, but my oncologist needed the results.] 

I left and stopped at the front desk to book next year's appointment.  The attendant said once I receive the 'letter' with the results, I can book the appointment.  [hmmm]

Dana Farber

Today (4/2/25), I had my annual follow-up with Dr Mehta at Dana Farber, Methuen.  Their protocol was to wear a mask and be screened for Covid.  So everyone was masked.  It's been a few years since I've been in this situation, but it is what it is.

After being cleared to proceed, I checked in and the attendant indicated that they hadn't received the mammogram results.  I told her I had the mammogram Monday at Holy Family.  She then called them and although I only heard one side of the conversation, apparently there's no record.  After the attendant hung up, she indicated that they (Holy Family) are having problems with their computer system but whomever she was talking to said that I was a no show. Around this time, my name was being called.  The attendant said she was going to ask the doctor for guidance.  She told the other nurse to hold off. A few minutes later, I was told to follow the nurse and the doctor would still see me. 

I was weighed, measured and had my vitals checked.  After-which, I was brought to an examination room and waited about 10 minutes for the doctor to arrive.

Dr Mehta arrived and reiterated that he didn't have the results, but physically examined my nodes and breasts for lumps.  When finished, he said everything looks good.  He added, "A mammogram is just a test if there was something, it would be useful in doing a hands-on exam.  But he said, "You've been 10 years, so when it does surface, I feel confident that you are clear.  So I'll see you in a year."

He also indicated that these types of things will happen more often as smaller hospitals struggle with funding and staffing.  He said, "It would be a shame if you had to go to Boston for a mammogram". I said, "It would be more than a pain.  Let's hope it doesn't get that far."

On the way home, I provided a urine specimen at North East Urologic in anticipation of next week's round one of BCG. Fun, fun, fun!

More to come! 

POST SCRIPT: My mammogram results appeared in my portal. Mammogram was routine/clear!  I contacted my oncologist who confirmed that they had access to my files.  I also sent the results (PDF) through their secured messaging system within the portal. I was told it would be added to my file.  I also received an appointment for my next mammogram for 2026.