tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:43:45 +0000http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)Blogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-4960496634192923919Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:48:00 +00002009-12-03T14:21:18.695-07:00Bladder CancerDiagnosisCystoscopyIt was a cold, clear beginning to Judgment Day 5 with 9F (-13C) reading on the outside thermometers this morning. As usual I had mostly cleared my schedule for the day before, and had a quiet evening at home. Also usual is the battle with trepidation, all confidences in God and my own treatment regimens aside. As David F. pointed out in his blog post here, the brain is supposed to be your http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/12/judgment-day-5-all-clear-december-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-778560852110065934Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:28:00 +00002009-10-31T17:32:56.665-06:00ChemotherapyIPTBladder CancerIt's been almost three weeks since my last post, and nobody is complaining too much. And there are a few out there that like to read this blog, so I shall continue for your benefit. Blog stats indicate that about 30 folks hit this blog each day on average, and about a quarter of them stay for more than a few seconds. Some are harvesting the images, and a significant number stick around and http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-about-chemotherapy-october-31-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-6574453834381897204Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:57:00 +00002009-10-31T12:26:47.474-06:00DietExerciseDiagnosisI will begin with the answer to the question implicit in the title. How should someone, or ANYONE, deal with a cancer diagnosis? All the answers start in one place. YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE NOT TO DIE FROM CANCER. That is the front line defense and the bottom line of any treatment regimen. If you accept that your cancer is a death sentence, then ultimately it will be.Don't get me wrong - I am not goinghttp://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/10/dealing-with-any-type-of-cancer-what-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-2837689657871312100Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:15:00 +00002009-10-08T07:50:30.692-06:00HyperthermiaBladder CancerBCGOne thing new to report from my last round of BCG is the emergence of the "flu-like" symptoms that have been described by so many as a side effect. My past BCGs have pretty much been a day of misery and urinary fire, then being a bit fuzzy or tired until the afternoon of the day following. With the reduction to 1/3 dose several months ago, the misery of the day has been dramatically reduced. http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/10/bcg-news-good-news-and-bad-news-october.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-4432746528066997680Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:31:00 +00002009-09-25T08:19:41.161-06:00Bladder CancerBCGI was a little surprised when the doc's office called Wednesday to confirm my BCG appointment at 9AM instead of 9:15, but a quick check of the notes proved that they were correct. I had high hopes that this one would be both easy and over quickly. I was processed in with urine tested by 9:05 and the BCG dose was diluted and ready by 9:10. The doc had not arrived in the office yet, but we were http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/09/3rd-bcg-maintenance-series-3-of-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-8358133425217957458Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:18:00 +00002009-09-18T08:47:34.885-06:00Bladder CancerBCGThe trip to the doctor's office was quick due to one of the construction zones now being half cleared, and we were prepared with a detour around new construction. The instillation details were much faster and better than average, with both the doctor and me relaxed. Was done with the BCG and hobbling to the car by 9:29 AM. Hit the hydration immediately and symptoms appeared right on time 3 http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/09/3rd-bcg-maintenance-series-2-of-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-4848142134929499588Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:33:00 +00002009-09-11T09:46:52.168-06:00Bladder CancerBCGFirst off, compared to things that happened on September 11, 2001, today and yesterday are nothing. But we go to our fates with BCG voluntarily, and it is certainly true to say that Bladder Cancer is not for wimps!The trip to the doctor's office and the instillation details were uneventful, getting the BCG at 10:00 despite a 9:15 appointment. Did the usual sipping and flipping in the back of http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/09/3rd-bcg-maintenance-series-has-begun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-5426203823949008801Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:16:00 +00002009-09-09T19:35:30.814-06:00Bladder CancerBCGTomorrow is BCG day. Oh Joy - NOT!!! But really this is the best outcome with bladder cancer. No recurrence (so far) and continued treatments. As David F. in England always says, BCG may be awful, but not nearly so awful as chemo, radiation, or radical surgery. So no cause for whining here. I did have to get mentally prepared. Since it's been six months, I had to refresh myself as to the http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/09/bcg-again-september-9-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-4915926085472232183Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:03:00 +00002009-09-03T21:24:13.861-06:00Bladder CancerDiagnosisALL CLEAR - two little words. So brief, so insignificant, and yet so meaningful. Trust me - I shall never tire of hearing that short phrase. This day now marks 15 months of being free from bladder cancer, and we all hope for many more to come. When I cross over 24 months, which should occur in June of 2010, I can begin using the term "remission." But not before then. It is dangerous to http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/09/judgment-day-4-all-clear-september-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-8797853724712668577Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:58:00 +00002009-08-09T13:43:12.529-06:00Bladder CancerBeta GlucansAt some point each cancer fighter has to decide what conventional medical treatments to follow, and what, if any, other things to do to help battle the disease and discourage or prevent recurrence. The TURBT and BCG therapies from my doctor have been described in detail, and I have also discussed diet, exercise, vitamins, and supplements in general. When blog readers contact me, they generally http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/08/cancer-fighting-supplement-beta-glucans.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-3239335830155068139Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:33:00 +00002009-07-03T23:42:00.124-06:00Bladder CancerBelow is reprinted in its entirety a news item on a treatment to consider for those where BCG is not effective, or if the cancer has spread into the lower abdomen and organs. I do not know this man personally, nor have I researched this treatment. But it might be worthwhile to look into if you are in need of more horsepower and wish to avoid cystectomy (which the man below unfortunately went http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/07/bladder-cancer-no-longer-death-sentence.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-3520223631152265528Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:44:00 +00002009-06-22T07:32:35.238-06:00Bladder CancerCLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGEOne aspect the early stages of the bladder cancer treatment regimen is that you live life a few weeks or months at a time for the first two years. Unless your diagnosis is low grade and superficial (mine was high grade and near-invasive T1), you cannot even think about resting easy or using a term like "remission" until after 2 years. And every 3 months after the http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/06/mental-health-june-20-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-1775075320600203230Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:36:00 +00002009-06-11T22:38:10.290-06:00Bladder CancerHi folks. It's been quite a while since my last posting - over 2 weeks! I just wanted to luxuriate in the quite unexpected high from my extended 50th birthday celebration. No longer a milestone to contemplate regret, the time passage is now viewed as a gift. I trust all future ones will be the same. Now back to the subject at hand. A couple of weeks ago I got a contact email via Wellsphere from ahttp://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/06/some-proof-of-concept-from-new-zealand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-5342254266416302885Mon, 25 May 2009 16:53:00 +00002009-05-25T13:43:26.768-06:00VacationThe day referred to in the title is yesterday rather than today. Yesterday was my birthday, the big Five-Oh. ---> 50 years. Half a century! Hard to believe - to believe that's it's happened, and to believe that I enjoyed it. It's been a weird year plus a few months to say the least, and a big attitude change for me. In my mind I am still 25, ready to adventure, and spoiling for a fight. http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/05/legendary-day-may-25-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-725587108272635666Thu, 14 May 2009 22:19:00 +00002009-05-14T16:41:26.214-06:00Bladder CancerDiagnosisCystoscopyHello and thanks to one and all for reading along, caring, and praying or sending alternative forms of positive energy. Mixed with my complementary therapies, we have a resounding success in the form of an ALL CLEAR today. Only thing to wait for is the lab result from the urine cytology and FISH tests. So today we have the CT scan results showing nothing of concern, a urine exam for bacteria,http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/05/judgment-day-3-all-clear-may-14-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-8762422773205537242Thu, 14 May 2009 13:58:00 +00002009-05-14T08:24:49.897-06:00Bladder CancerDiagnosisCystoscopyJudgment Day #3 has arrived, exactly 51 weeks plus one day since the surgery that was verified microscopically to have begun my cancer-free state. With bladder cancer, such a state must always be viewed as temporary - and very much so in the first year. The doctor will have the radiologist's report from the CT scan last Friday, and I will bring him the physical films - should he wish to see http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/05/judgment-day-3-may-14-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-3406816137312135198Sun, 10 May 2009 21:07:00 +00002009-05-10T16:40:33.439-06:00Bladder CancerDiagnosisSites and BlogsHumorMy doctor's office did call on Thursday to demand that I get a new CT scan ASAP. We scheduled it for Friday afternoon, and it went without drama. Now with only 4 days remaining until Judgment Day #3, I have been pretty sanguine about the whole affair. This is much different from last time, and I am not sure why - confidence or overconfidence? I think I am more secure in the outcome, whether http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/05/20-most-intense-minutes-of-my-life-so.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-9116796972449257368Mon, 04 May 2009 21:39:00 +00002009-05-05T18:57:22.975-06:00Bladder CancerLast week I did something I have not done since this whole cancer affair started. Twice. What was this earthshaking event? Brace yourselves: I made plans. For dinner. AFTER Judgment Day #3. And both will be paid in advance! What's the big deal, you might ask yourself. It's really quite simple.If the doctor sees anything suspicious in his cystoscope on May 14, he will schedule me for surgery, mosthttp://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/05/confidence-or-presumption-may-4-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-7147121371668350202Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:26:00 +00002009-04-23T07:35:51.932-06:00Bladder CancerBCGOne of my favorite food items in the world is bacon. And I haven't had any (except the fake kind made from turkey) for 10 months. According to this research, I should never have it again. A 2006 article from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition informs us that:"Men and women with a high intake of bacon (≥5 servings/wk) had an elevated risk of bladder cancer compared with those who never http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/04/in-other-news-bacon-bad-frankincense.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-6004952087677381004Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:05:00 +00002009-04-19T13:16:11.944-06:00Bladder CancerExerciseBCG Today (and lately) I feel about as near to normal as I can remember. Keep in mind that I define normal as how I felt just over a year ago before all this cancer business (or, more accurately, my awareness of it) started. Truth be told, I feel better than my old definition of normal in most respects. I have lost over 30 pounds since then, my allergy symptoms have diminished, my complexion has http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-its-going-9-weeks-post-bcg-april-17.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-912748559426704821Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:38:00 +00002009-04-03T08:09:11.254-06:00DietLast December I got a comment from someone recommending the Budwig Protocol. I dismissed it at the time, having researched it briefly some time ago. Lately I've been reading a book recommended by Ed B. in Washington State. The author also speaks highly of the Budwig Protcol's central recommendation - a combination of Flaxseed Oil with Cottage Cheese that's supposed to give the body a super zap http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/04/budwig-protocol-what-focc-april-3-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-4543848010754760678Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:16:00 +00002009-03-25T19:49:57.552-06:00TURBTBladder CancerBCGMy health, stamina, and well-being have improved slowly over the past three weeks. I am not getting tired in mid-afternoon early in the week, and the effect is decreased even later in the week. The 5 days in California were awesome - weather, food, wine, everything. We even got a cool rental car - a Saturn Sky, pictured here (click to enlarge). It's a real eye-catcher in red, which is my http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/03/asprin-day-keeps-bladder-cancer-away.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-880159369403541327Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:59:00 +00002009-03-17T20:56:37.846-06:00Bladder CancerDiagnosisTwo weeks from today I will "celebrate" the one-year anniversary of my bladder cancer diagnosis. Despite the feeling that it's only been a few weeks since then, nearly EVERYTHING has changed about me and my life in the last 50 weeks. There was the initial shock, two quick surgeries, the stress of awaiting lab results, BCG series, and judgment days. There was a re-ordering of priorities, http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-people-react-to-your-cancer-march.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-4912689673047451519Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:09:00 +00002009-02-28T17:12:39.056-07:00ExerciseBCGIf you have read any of my stuff, you are well aware that I am on record as an exercise hater. We must acknowledge that it's one of the four foundations for beating cancer, which are:1) Good attitude and spiritual health2) Diet that stops supporting cancer growth and starts fighting it actively3) Conventional and alternative medical care (includes vitamins, supplements, etc.)4) Regular http://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/02/exercise-learning-to-hate-it-less.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313536940893763171.post-8734396069692174478Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:24:00 +00002009-02-25T19:06:30.264-07:00TURBTBCGI try to watch pretty closely what people are searching for when they hit this blog. In the past few weeks the sources have been pretty evenly split between Google, Wellsphere, and BlogCatalog, with a few thrown in from CancerCompass. One thing that most have in common is that you are searching for information on BCG symptoms, side-effects, and dosages. While I am done with BCG until Septemberhttp://gotbladdercancer.blogspot.com/2009/02/more-information-about-bcg-side-effects.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Steve Kelley)5