Good News Is Good News

On November 29th, I had my check up at Dana Farber, Methuen with my oncologist, Dr Mehta. After the obligatory blood draw and checking/recording of my vitals I waited to be called in.

Finally my name was called and and I followed the attendant to an examination room.  Upon leaving, I was told, "Dr Mehta will be in shortly".  I guess shortly is open to interpretation.   I was tempted to take a nap on the examination table.  However, at the half hour mark I heard steps and a light knock on the door.  Low and behold, it was Dr Mehta.  Post Covid, I could see his face again (sans mask).

After chatting and catching up, he looked at some results and asked if I had any symptoms or new 'things'.  I told him, "Other than old age pains, I'm fine."  He chuckled and said, "Let's take a look."

Stripping off my shirt and tee shirt, he began pressing the areas that were once cancer infested.  I'll tell you, he was very thorough.  Finally, he said "Everything looks good".

I have a mammogram scheduled for March so he wants to see me after those results.  He inquired on my bladder cancer and mentioned that Dr Previte has been keeping him informed.  He showed his happiness that my last cystoscopy was clear.  He looked at my file and said I was approaching the 10 year mark.  After 10 years, he will only see me annually. Time flies!

I received the results of my PSA testing today (as ordered from Dr Previte).  The results have not changed since last April's test.  My PSA is still 1.86.  Anything less than 4.0 is normal.  I'll take that good news.

Post Script: I've been scheduled for my next 3 rounds of BCG in January with an in-office cystoscopy on Leap Year Day 2024!

More to come!

Something Else To Be Thankful For

Today was cystoscopy day at Northeast Urological.  I've been somewhat worried, because Cancer sucks.

I messed up and arrived an hour earlier than scheduled.  My calendar said 1:50, but my brain said ten to one.  Oh well, better early than late.  I sat in the car and watched the rain and listened to an XM Beatles Station.  Time passed quickly (or so it seemed).

I arrived to a full waiting room.  After checking in and providing my specimen, I join those waiting to be seen.  However, it wasn't long before I heard my name being called.

I was grilled to confirm my identity while following the nurse to the 'special' room.  Everything was arranged and just waiting for me to drop trow and assume the position. 

It felt like a long time, but it was probably 10 minutes when Dr Previte arrived.  He went through his notes and recited the litany of procedures and treatments bringing me up to today's procedure.  The doctor said that the monitor was on the fritz, so I couldn't watch today.  Not that I knew what I was looking at, but it was interesting to see nonetheless.  Well not today.  The doctor said that he'd be the only one seeing what's going on (or not).  I was fine with that.

In lieu of my watching the camera being pushed around, I got a blow by blow description of what he was seeing.  I was happy to hear the words: clean, looks good, and beautiful.  He even said he looked into my verticulum and it was clean.  "That BCG works for you", he said.  

After pulling out the scope, he was thinking aloud and said, my next steps would entail my next round of BCG maintenance then another Cystoscopy.  He said the BCG will start in January-ish and the scope sometime February/March.  He wanted me to have my PSA tested again in a week.  [I've already scheduled that].

He wished me a Happy Thanksgiving and told me to pick up some paperwork on the way out (for the PSA test).

I'm elated that this treatment is working for me after an initial failure.  

More to come!

3 of 3

It was quite busy at Northeast Urological for my last dose of BCG.  I had a very early appointment and the parking lot was maxed.  I had to park way at the end of the lot.  It was a brisk partly cloudy October day, so the little jaunt hopefully would wake me up.  At the advice of the Physician's Assistant, I dispensed from my daily coffee.  This helps during my marination, but I feel foggy-brained.  A necessary trade off.

Upon entering the lobby, I was able to check in right away.  However, I wasn't provided with a specimen jar.  When I inquired why today would be different, the medical assistant said, "Right.  I need my coffee.  I forgot.'  I told her I can relate.  I took the container and headed for the rest room.  There are three, but today all were occupied.  So I had to wait.  I finally did the deed and returned to the lobby.

I just sat down and my name was called.  While walking to the examination room, I was grilled on my vitals. I had the same room as last time.  The one I called the meat locker. I readied myself and tightly wrapped the large napkin around my nakedness to keep warm. 

Michael and Joanne arrived.  Joanne had previously been in training, Michael asked if it was OK for her to administer the BCG.  I said, "No problem'.

Joanne wasn't as good as Michael, but the unpleasantness didn't last too long.  She was done with everything quickly.  Michael said according to my records, I'll be back for my in-office cystoscopy on November 22nd.  I said, "Ya, the day be fore Thanksgiving."  Michel went through his spiel on what to do if I developed a high temperature or felt ill, then both bid me a good day.

I was able to do my full two hours of marination.  After voiding,  I took some pyridium (Azo) to help with the burning and frequency.  I had nothing on my calendar so I stayed home and surfed the net.

Like previous times, I felt blah, was cold and had little desire to do anything..other than drink fluids and flush out my system. I did pass a few clots.  But, I was told I could have bleeding.  It's disconcerting to see that, but I hope it's a sign that the BCG is working.

More to come!

Number 2 of 3

Had an early appointment on this summer-like day for my second dose of BCG.  I anticipated that there would be morning traffic but was hopeful the train wasn't going through at this time.  Wrong!  Although the train went through quickly, traffic had backed up in each direction quite a bit.  Nonetheless, I made it to Northeast Urological early for my appointment.

The lobby only had a few people waiting and there were three windows open for check in.  I received my specimen jar;  did my thing; then, returned to the waiting room.  It wasn't long before I heard my name.  After verifying my identity, I was brought to a familiar examination room.  The medical attendant remembered me and said, "You know what to do. Torri will be with your shortly." It was very cold today in the exam room.  Sitting sans pants with only a table sized napkin for coverage, I anxiously awaited my treatment.

There was a knock on the door and Torri popped her head in.  I said, "Welcome to the meat locker."  She chuckled and said it was warm outside and will be hot later.  She thought that someone may be over-compensating with the thermostat setting. Torri then added that Morgan will be performing the procedure today.  I met Morgan during my last maintenance round when she was being trained.  This time she'll be putting her training to use.  Morgan and Torri were speaking medical jargon as the 'set-up' the implements.  Apparently, Morgan has to specify which additional 'things' are needed to accompany her 'hand-carried' syringe.  So she had to set things up to her liking.

After having thing 'just so', she went to work.  It was very uncomfortable, but I knew it would pass.  And yes, she was now done. Torri did mention that I received a 1/6 of a dose today, so my side effects might be lighter today.  [Side effects were not what I had recalled during my last time.  So hearing this made me hopeful].

I then said, "See you next week."

Once home, I marinaded for two hours. Took two Azo pills and drank 16 oz of water.  I'm trying to drink extra water this time to flush my system.  The Azo takes some of the sting away.  So far, just feeling blah. 

Post Script: I have had a little bleeding, which was not surprising.

More to come!

It's Fall In New England

Since my last post, I had an appointment at Northeast Urological so I could provide a urine specimen.  This was needed to ensure that I had no bleeding and to clear me for my treatment.  Pretty routine at this point. I was told I could come in any time from 8AM to 3PM.

Monday September 19th was a gorgeous day.  I hoped to be at the office by 11:30, so I left the house at 11. Well something was causing traffic to be heavy, so a 12 minute ride turned to 25.  Gee, just in time for the train to close the road.  Not one but two (one North; other South).  This made my time be later.

Got to the office and it was 11:57AM.  Saw a sign that said, closed for lunch 12 to 1.  So much for planning.  I decided to try a Roast Beef sub from a place across the street.  It was OK, but I still had 45 minutes to kill.  So I listened to the radio and decided to stand at the door at 12:55PM.  To my surprise, the door was already open but the lobby was full.  I waited to see the attendant.  Checked in, filled the cup then left.  

Not that I was worried, but my tests are done by Quest Diagnostics.  I have an account with them and I usually get notified that I have test results.  Never got a notification and when I logged on to my account there were no pending tests.  Hmmm!

Fall 2023

The sun rises later and then sets earlier.  Temperatures are crisp and we've had way too much rain, but time marches on.

Today, I started my next round of maintenance BCG. This consists of just three doses (over the next three weeks).  I'm scheduled for my next in-office (look/see) cystoscopy on November 22nd (day before Thanksgiving).  

Once again, I arrived to a full waiting room.  There were signs saying there were new people in training.  [Maybe they can have coverage instead of closing for lunch?].  Like most trainees, processing was slow, but I was early today.  After check in I was told to provide a specimen.  [I didn't even want to ask the new person why my last one seemed to be among the missing.]

I didn't wait too long before being called. After verifying my identity, I was shown to a familiar examination room.  I heard a knock on the door and Michael popped his head in and asked if it was alright to have a nurse in-training come in.  "Sure", I said.

So the trainee did all the work and Michael coached her.  She did well.  So well that she had completed everything faster than I had anticipated.

Got home and marinated for the two hours.  The last 10 minutes are very uncomfortable.  I took some Azo to help with the burning.  Other than my feeling cold and lack-luster, this recovery is pretty much like others.  I did end up turning on my heat.  I couldn't take a 60 degree house any longer.

So, I'm just taking it easy today.  Hope to be back in business tomorrow.

More to come!

Maintenance Round Scheduled

At my last visit, the nurse said she would call me to schedule my next round of BCG.  

Well, the following day, Jackie called me and we booked my next three visits for my induction of BCG.  As a precursor, they want a urine sample on September 19th. I'll be starting my maintenance round of BCG on September 27th and then on the following two Wednesdays. 

I'll be having the next in-office cystoscopy sometime at the end of November or beginning of December.

POST SCRIPT: Cystoscopy has been scheduled for November 22nd.

More to come!

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!