An Early Birthday Present?

Today is August 22nd, one month before my birthday.  I had a cystoscopy scheduled to 'see' if the BCG has (continued) to keep me bladder cancer-free.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day today, sunny, low humidity and just warm enough with a light breeze.  I arrived at Dr Previte's office in North Andover feeling somewhat anxious.  After checking in and providing the obligatory urine sample, I waited to be called.

I was finally called and after verifying my identity, I was brought to yet another examination room.  However, this room had a bunch of medical equipment all set to go.  The nurse verified some information and prepped me for Dr Previte's arrival.

Dr Previte arrived and after pleasantries, he reviewed my chart and spoke of my last time with him and what he would be doing today.  Dr Previte plays violin, so we had a nice discussion about a favorite violinist of ours as he poked and probed.  This time I was able to see the monitor.  As he spoke and moved the camera around, (to me) it looked pretty clean, but I'm no doctor (nor do I play one on TV).

He interrupted his musical chatter and said, "This looks really good.  Very clean.".  I could then feel the camera being pulled out.

The doctor said that the BCG was working and stated that I would be having another round (of three doses) then another cystoscopy in 6 months.  He wants me to start the BCG treatments in September/October.  The nurse said that she would call me to schedule these.

He bid me a good day and shook my hand.  Needless to say, I was thrilled with the prognosis.

More to come!

3rd And Final

An early morning appointment today at Northeast Urological in N. Andover for my 3rd dose of maintenance BCG.  At this point things are pretty much routine. I arrived a bit early and there was no one in the waiting room.  After check in and providing my urine specimen, I didn't wait too long before being called and grilled for my information.  This time I did visit an examination room I had been in once before.  The attendant said,"You know what to do." She then left not before saying, "Michael will be seeing you today."

I had Michael, the Physician's Assistant administer my BGC in the past.  Of all that have facilitated in these inductions, he is by far the best.  Today he was training a new PA, who just watched and assisted with small tasks.  Michael indicated that this would be my last dose and that Dr Previte will be seeing me at the end of August for an in-office cystoscopy.  I was in agreement.  He arranged his procedural implements and did his thing.  Once again, very little discomfort and no leakage.  He's a pro.

He bid me a good summer and his trainee said, "It was nice to meet you but I hope I never have to see you in the future."  Now wouldn't that be nice!

When I left the office the waiting room was full.  So glad I beat that.

Got home and marinated for the full two hours.  As usual, feeling blah and chilly.  It's 80 degrees outside and I'm wearing a sweater.  Extremities are cold.  I did think about gloves, but never donned them.

I'm hopeful that the rest of the day will be low keyed and uneventful.  I do hope to get out for my walk, but we'll see.  I'm optimistic that I won't have any more entries to this blog until the end of August.  I'm looking forward to enjoying the Summer and all it brings and not having any repeat of "Dexter" scenes in the bathroom.

More to come!

2 of 3

Gorgeous day today, but I'm sitting inside with a sweater and feeling blah, for good reason.

I had an appointment this morning for my second (of three) dosages of BCG for my bladder cancer maintenance plan. After arriving at Northeast Urological and providing my urine specimen, I was brought into yet another examination room where the attendant said, "You know what to do."  I certainly do.  So I dropped trow, sat on the diaper and covered my privates with the huge napkin.

Not too long after, Torrie Rogers (NP) arrived mask less and said, "I see you've brought your mustache." This was my first time there without a mask, so she didn't know I had a mustache.  She is always pleasant and a bit chatty, but she can multi-task. I was surprised at how fast she instilled the BCG.  I said, "Oh.  You are done?"  She said, "Yes.  I'll see you next week."

I drove home and did my mandatory 2 hour marination.  As usual, for the rest of the day I feel cold and blah.  I get the urge to 'go' often but I have very little output.  Some time ago I picked up some ASO over the counter meds for urinary pain.  It turns my urine florescent orange, but it does ease some of the burning.

Pretty routine at this point.

More to come! 

A 'Two-fer' Today

One

I had my first of three maintenance doses of BCG at Northeast Urological in N. Andover.  

It was a bright, but chilly May day with light traffic.  I made good time getting to the appointment and after checking in and providing a urine specimen, I was met outside the restroom by a medical professional who called my name, grilled me for my vitals and asked me to follow her. 

Visiting yet another examination room, I was told to drop trow and wait.  Not too long later Torri (NP) and Morgan (trainee) arrived.  After exchanging pleasantries and verifying who I am and why I was there, Torri began to prepare her implements. She took time to explain a few things to Morgan and then I felt the tube go in and my bladder empty whatever I didn't get out.  Once again, I felt that unmistakable warm feeling as some urine decided to run down the uglies.  There was some chatter of jargon and Torri announced that we were all done.  She collected her laptop and other items and said, "Until next week."

Got home and did my two hours of marination.  Got ready for my appointment with Doctor Mehta.

Two

 

Not knowing what traffic would be like mid-day, I gave myself extra time to arrive at Dana Farber, Methuen. This site still requires masks and covid screenings.  I got up to the 3rd floor and after check in, was provided with SATs to complete.  I just sat down and was immediately called in for blood work.  The phlebotomist was very pleasant, but I think I scared her with my tales of multiple jabbings and very little blood.  She then told me she was still in training.  She called her 'trainer', who looked at my veins and said that taking the blood from my hand was the best option.  Although not my favorite area, at least she sized up the situation without torturing me.  The phlebotomist successfully drew the right amount of blood, with just one jab.  Yay!  I was instructed to return to the waiting room where I completed my SATs.

Not long after, my name was called and I was directed to follow her to an examination room.  Luckily for me Dr. Mehta was already there, so there was no waiting.  I gave him my SATs.  He looked at my electronic record and said, "The blood work is good and everything else looks excellent."  I mentioned that I had a cystoscopy in April and the results were good.  It appears that the BGC was working.  I added that I had by first round of BCG today.  Two more to go over the next two weeks.

He seemed pleased and said there's nothing he can offer me right now, but wished to see me in 6 months.  Of course if things change, notify his office.  He also mentioned, "There are a number of trials in progress and they are showing some positive results.  So there are a few things in the pipeline."

My next appointment is the day before Thanksgiving.

More To Come!

Scheduled Maintenance Is A Good Thing

I was surprised to receive a call from Dr. Previte's office.  First thing I thought of was, "Oh Oh, I hope this isn't bad news".  I had a mental note to contact the office at the end of June to schedule my BCG maintenance.  Coming out of my anesthesia fog, I thought the doctor said he'll see me in August for maintenance.  Well I wasn't too far off.  Today's call was to schedule my next round of BCG, starting in June and an in-office cystoscopy in August.

So I'm happy that I don't need a reminder to chase them down and was pleased that the next cystoscopy will be in-office versus a hospital. 

More to come!

Tele-health Follow-up With Dr Mossanen

I had a follow-up visit on Zoom with Dr Mossanen today.  It was very short and sweet.  He was very happy for me when he heard that my cystoscopy (last Thursday) yielded NO Cancer.  He was in agreement with the plan going forward: round of maintenance of BCG in August with a cystoscopy.  He did add that if things change, or cancer comes back, to contact his office to discuss options.

Fingers crossed.  Hoping to enjoy the summer without this looming over my head.

More to come!

Oh Happy Day!

Good news does come in threes.  No cancer/or lumps found in my mammogram; Biopsies came back as benign for the two polyps found from my colonoscopy; and today - no tumors or cancer found for my bladder cystoscopy.

After much prep work and medical tasks needed for today's procedure at Holy Family, Methuen, I had a 12PM check-in for my cystoscopy/biopsy and  possible TURBT.  Last few times they have been scheduled for 6AM so I was optimistic that today might have good results.

My sister Leslie provided my ride to and from, today.  She was also happy that the appointment was mid-day so she too could sleep in.  We arrived at the hospital at 11:45 and prior to her leaving we estimated the timing for best and worst case scenario.  The best would be my having the procedure completed by 4 or so; the worst case I would be required to spend the night and living with the 'bag' for the weekend.  Luckily, it was the best case scenario.

Inside, after checking in, I waited almost and hour and a half before being called.  Once called, I was brought to my 'home' to remove my clothes, slip into the johnnie and be greeted and questioned by three teams: nurses, anesthesia team and Doctor Previte.  Each asked me pretty much the same questions (that I aced).  When Dr. Previte arrived, we went over the possibilities and the risks; had me sign off on some forms; then said he'd be seeing me soon.

Around 2:15, I was wheeled into the operating room. The medical staff operated like a pit crew where each had a specific task to complete.  They were a well oiled machine.  I heard one say, Dr. Previte has arrived.  Another said, "Breathe deeply".  I was out.

I woke up in the recovery room and noticed the clock said 3:15PM.  I thought that was fast and was encouraged by that.  My hand meandered to my privates and I had no catheter.  YAY!

A nurse saw that I was coming to and said that the procedure went well.  She offered some juice and cookies.  I was still in a fog, but agreed to having them.  Glad I did since I hadn't had anything since 11:45PM the night before.  I noticed that Dr Previte was approaching, with a big smile and he said "I have good news. I found no cancer (tumors to scrape out).  I'll see you in about 10 days to discuss the biopsy results and we'll start the three rounds of maintenance BCG in August."  

Great news!

So my assumption is that the BCG worked.  I fully expect that biopsy will still show cancer, but hopeful that the maintenance BCG will continue to work.  Earlier conversations included this plan.

In the interim, I'll enjoy the summer-like weather and bask in this encouraging news.

More to come!