We spent another very hot morning in cooling air conditioning – in the car to and from Southampton Hospital, and in the hospital for my post procedure follow up. We normally need to allow two hours for the hospital trip – today it took an unheard of 46 minutes. This meant we were very early and our wait was two hours.
The news was good. The tumour has not gone away completely but neither has it gone anywhere else. It is serious and needs to be removed. What has proved successful is the BCG vaccine which eradicated TB in this country years ago. This is intended to reduce the chance of the cancer returning and progressing. Taking that option I will receive weekly installations for 6 weeks followed by shorter maintenance treatments at 3-6 monthly intervals for up to three years. I will need another cystoscopy first. These will all necessitate insertion by plastic tube following the same route as before which won’t be pleasant; there will also be some irritation of the bladder which will most likely increase micturition urgency.
We celebrated this evening by dining at Rokali’s where the welcome, efficiency of service, and exemplary cooking, were as always. My main meal was duck jalfrezi; Jackie chose paneer shashlik; we shared sag rice and plain paratha. Even the paratha is fried in ghee. I drank Kingfisher and Jackie drank diet cola.
Congratulations on your good news and hopefully two hours in AC since you had to be there anyways. Glad you got to eat out in a hopefully air conditioned dining room.
Thank you very much, Pat. Yes, A/C
Oh, wonderful! I have been wondering about you and your health. So glad the cancer hasn’t spread and that there is an effective treatment. Celebrate, celebrate!
Thank you so much, Laurie
I’m so happy to hear that nothing has spread Derrick! I do wonder how it was determined that the BCG jab can be used to reduce a tumour. ☺️
Thank you very much, Kim
Congratulations on the win!!!
Thank you very much, Sweet
Good news is always good news! 👍🏻😊
Wow – the BCG can fade tumours. I do wonder how they found that out. It’s great news that they have a good treatment for you.
Thank you so much, Kim
This is good news, Derrick. Wishing you very good health and recovery ahead!
Thank you very much, Donna
Thank you for this update. We send you our best wishes. (No need to spend any time in replying to this comment.)
Many thanks, Mr and Mrs T
I’m so glad you got good news AND got to celebrate it!
Continued prayers and good healing wishes for you. We want you to be completely well. Keep taking this journey one day at a time.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
I’m delighted by your news. It has been a worrying wait. 🙂
Thank you very much, Sue
We’ll be keeping you in our prayers.
Thank you both very much, Chrissy
So happy to hear the good news. Sorry about the two hour wait, but I think it might have been more comfortable than driving for two hours. My love to you both during the upcoming treatment.
Thank you very much for each of us, Crystal XX
Sending positive vibes that the treatment works. A hospital wait of two hours is no fun. You’re fortunate you had company.
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
Thank you for sharing your good news with us! Here’s to a smooth and effective course of treatment. I know Jackie will take good care of you.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Thank goodness for the good news! I hope and pray for your smooth and successful recovery!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Derrick, I’m delighted to share in your good news. I’m relieved to hear that it’s treatable, and in a relatively short period of time. You and Jackie must be happy to be through this appointment. xo
Thank you so much, Alys XX
I’m back, having read a bit more about BCG. Fascinating.
Thanks again, Alys
Great that you are happy. I enjoyed knowing about the food. Paranthas in ghee are delicious. Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you very much, Kritika
Nice to hear about the good news Derrick. I hope it will be completely eradicated.
Thank you very much, Arlene
The BCG route is an interesting one I have not heard of before. Take care.
Thank you very much, Anne. It seems preferable to being carved up.
This is good news, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Aletta
Good news on the tumour being contained, and the right treatment is about to begin.
Thank you for sharing Derrick. You are in my thoughts. 🥰
Terrific!
Thank you for sharing your good news, Derrick. I’m sure you and Jackie are both relieved that the tumor hasn’t spread. I’m glad you got to wait in a/c, and went out to celebrate. It’s fascinating that BCG can be used in this way. Wishing you the best of luck with the upcoming procedures. <3
That’s excellent news Derrick. I’m delighted 😊
I have read about the BCG vaccine and its ability to stall or cure some cancers. I am glad your tumor is not getting the better of you. I hope the vaccine can turn things around and the tumor will start shrinking.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. That is encouraging
Here is a long but informative article on BCG and various cancers from the NIH archives.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10982520/
Thank you very much once more, Lavinia – for this interesting and encouraging link
Stay cool.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
I share everyone’s good wishes for more health and no spreading of the tumors. So interesting that the tb drug shrinks tumors.
Good to see you had an appetite as well 🙂
Thank you very much, Rose
Well, how about that! 😀
Thanks very much, Widders
Ow, ow, ow. I’m a real chicken when it comes to any procedure. I don’t envy you. Best of luck young fella!
Thanks ever so, John
I am glad to hear your good news, Derrick. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much, Dolly
What wonderful news Derrick! With all of us cheering you on, you will beat this cancer! Hang in there.🥰
That’s wonderful, Derrick. I’m so glad for you. And you have a good team, including Jackie!, working with you.
Thank you so much, Barbara
Glad to hear there is a treatment for your tumour. Wishing you well and keeping you in my thoughts.
Thank you so much, Geetha
Because my visits to WordPress and my friends’ blogs are intermittant I appear to have missed the bad news that you have cancer. I am glad that I have been able to join others in wishing you well after hearing that the tumour hasn’t grown or spread. My brother-in-law is currently being treated for bowel and prostate cancer.
Thank you so much, Clare. As you know you are always welcome whenever you visit
Thank you Derrick 😊
Oh the joys of medical matters, keep smiling and think of it all as worthy of a story!
Absolutely. Thanks very much, Lindsey
Good news indeed
Thank you very much, Sheree
You’re welcome
All right. BCG is a -recent- excellent treatment. A bit uncomfortable, but seems to give very good results. A friend of mine underwent that treatment a few years back, and is as good as new… Thanks for the great news Derrick. (I’ll open a ‘virtual’ Moulin-à-vent bottle to celebrate.) (Can’t find them here as you may know…) Cheers.
Thanks very much, Brian
Sorry I missed this post, Derrick. I followed the link from today’s post (15th).
Glad to hear things are going well for you. Not getting bigger or spreading is a very good thing.
Thanks very much, Dale. I agree.
🤗