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Compiler's SRT Adventure

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Posted 4/27/2011 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
OK, #27 down; 11 to go.

A few comments.

Yesterday, I spoke too soon. In the evening, I started to get some anal burning. It was quite uncomfortable. Today is better. I wonder if this is some of the anal problems they talk about.

Also, I've been having a small flareup of some back problems. It was interesting that today on the table they had a hard time getting me in the right position. Yet, my back wasn't too bad. But it must be spasming to some minute degree. So, at least maybe they are pretty careful! Also, this makes me feel better about delaying the PSA/SRT. For those who don't remember, I delayed everything for 3 weeks because I was having pretty bad back problems. I can see now, with this very minor issue, that I might have had a lot of problems trying to do the SRT.

Also, my lower back is sore; feels like a bone bruise. Needless to say, this causes some anxiety as it is not my usual back pain (you know, the old any and every ache and pain means the PC has spread!). Hopefully that will just go away.

Mel

 

Posted 4/27/2011 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Mel, just 2 more days and you will be into the single digits.

When in the military and completing a tour we had what was called a short-timers calendar where we kept track of the days and counted down. This was done in various forms.

Right now you are soooo short that you are in no danger of not having enough crayon left to complete the countdown picture.

You are soooo short you could walk under a razor blade and not cut a hair on your head.

It's almost over. Try to get some rest, relax and feel the positive energy flowing your way from all of us.

Sonny
Posted 4/27/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
As Sonny said, you are getting short.
Posted 4/27/2011 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
You're so short you could dangle your legs over the edge of a dime.

Posted 4/29/2011 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
#28 done. Uneventful.

10 more to go.

After tomorrow, another weekend to recover and down to single digits.

Mel

Posted 4/29/2011 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
You are really short now, my friend. Now the final countdown begins.

Glad it was once again uneventful, happy for you.

Have a good an restful weekend after tommorow

david in sc
Posted 4/29/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks David. I so much appreciate all the support. For me, these are difficult times as I just can't get away from this PC stuff (by definition, having to do this every day!)

My journey has been very strange as the worst effects were early on (starting with the 4th tx.), then a respite, then some more pretty bad days, and lately another respite.

Still, I realize the worst SE are more likely later in this journey, but I sure hope I can avoid the worst. At least I've been able to work unencumbered. Next week is a busy week at work (final exams and some meetings). In fact, on Wednesday I'll be busy from noon until maybe 7:00-8:00 PM. I have decided to skip Wednesday's session because:

1) The doctor did say it should not lesson the effectiveness of the tx.

2) I would have to do it in the morning and many of the tough times have started 10 minutes-3 hours after the tx. and stayed around for maybe 8-12 hours. I don't want to be impeded at work.

3) I don't want to have a tx. late one day and early the next. They do say as long as there is 6 hours between tx., it is fine, but I'm somehow not convinced of that.

4) I just would like a mid-week break. Maybe it will help minimize some remaining SE.

Anyway, just figured I'd relay some of my thinking for the other folks that might be perusing this thread.

Mel

Posted 4/29/2011 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, I did have the problem of having to face missing a weekly appt over the winter holidays and instead opted for double treatments on Wednesdays for 2 weeks. It was a pain to go to the center for the early am and evening pm appts but I did no suffer any effects from them. I may have been a little more tired in the evenings but it only promoted a good nights sleep.

Just for what it's worth. So glad you and on the downhill slide at this point. Hang in there it's almost over.

Sonny
Posted 4/29/2011 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
#29 completed.

There is some burning. From past experience this will either get worse over the next few hours or decrease. If the latter, then I would round off today's experience as uneventful.

Down to single digits and also welcoming another weekend. I think this week has been the best one (ie: fewest SE problems).

Next week: 4 sessions (I already mentioned that Wednesday will be a break day), and then one final week.

All of you folks who said it goes by quickly -- I disagree.

Mel

Posted 4/29/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you got the weekend ahead, and one fewer treatment next week.

I will attest from going through major radiation twice, there was no going by quickly for me, especially this last time around. Once in the pain zone, it just progressively got worse. Thinking back, I am not sure how I ever completed it, but felt some inner reason to do so.

Enjoy the break

David
Posted 4/30/2011 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
You have been such a pleasure to follow. Best of luck,   It is very interesting how we see our own journeys.   You have never used the “My severe, My major, My ultra rare, My extreme suffering, …you just keep doing what you do best; HELPING others.. Your not a "MY" guy....... you are a person that cares. This genuine concern for others does not go unnoticed.   Again, my best Hero
Posted 4/30/2011 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Mel,

I'm not sure it went by "quickly", but my RT crew made it so routine that it was just another part of my day, and seeing the smiling faces every day became a good thing.

The day after the last session, I almost packed up to go before I realized it was over.

Just a few more -

Posted 4/30/2011 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I42:

You are welcome to substitute for me the last 2 weeks!

<g>.

So far I have had about 12 different techs (2 or 3 at a time).

Maybe my timing is between shifts (?)

Mel

Posted 4/30/2011 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
The latest burning seems to have quickly dissipated, so this latest session was again uneventful!

Mel

Posted 5/1/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Have you had the fatigue set in yet? I didn't until the very last week and it took me a month to recover. Was falling asleep every night at 8:00 PM and had to have naps on the weekend.

I am now six weeks post last treatment and finally back to normal. Btw, I did have the burning sensations like you but only on a very random basis.  

Posted 5/1/2011 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Further Update:

Looks like more SE might be kicking in. Last night, during dinner, I suddenly got severe cramping, followed by the inevitable diarrhea a few hours later. It was a one-shot deal but I am still somewhat crampy. I did have cereal this morning but I may just stick to liquids today. This may all be totally unrelated to the SRT, but from the get-go my RO mentioned diarrhea as a possible SE. Did anyone else experience this? 

Tomorrow might be a struggle at work. We are on a different schedule (final exams). I have a 12:20-2:20 class, then SRT scheduled for 3:20, then another exam 4:40-6:40. I usually stay and grade Exams and compute/submit final grades. Consequently, I will not be home until 9:00 PM or so. At such times I envy the teachers who give multiple choice exams and grade them via scantron machines. Of course, then the English teachers, who have to grade lengthy papers, give us no sympathy! I'm hoping these cramps will resolve before that time.

HB -- I'm curious why you did SRT. I see you had a bad pathology, but your latest PSA listed was 0.03.

Regarding fatigue, I have experienced a smidgeon, just not enough to mention. What I have experienced is this:

For the last 4 weeks, I awaken tired, unrefreshed, no energy. I then get up and stagger to the bathroom and start brushing my teeth. By the time I am done, I feel fine with reasonable energy and raring to go. It is very strange. It is kind of like a car starting in very cold weather. Let it run awhile and it is warmed up and running fine. I tend to be a night person and that hasn't changed. I am often wide awake and don't hit the sack until 1:30 AM. I have had full energy at work (I move around a lot). This week I got lazy and did not go to the gym (no excuse), but before then I have been doing my full workout with no problems. I am feeling more tired today, but that's due to the intestinal problem, I think. 

Mel

Posted 5/1/2011 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I meant to add, regarding SE, that I had regained 100% continence soon after surgery. I was quite worried that this would diminish with SRT. I was told to expect significant urinary urgency but not incontinence. So far, there has been only minimal urgency. When I have to go, about 25% of the time there is a minimal sense of urgency (I can hold it, but I do feel a stronger than average need to go). But there is no increase in the number of times I have to urinate. At night, about 25% of the time I wake up once and have to go.

I do drink quite a bit of water (as instructed) before a radiation session and that is certainly uncomfortable. I'm glad the sessions a very brief!

Mel

Posted 5/2/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel -

I am two weeks behind you in ART and love to read your posts. It gives me encouragement that the sE they tout as possible may not develop. Tomorrow is my 19th treatment out of 37 and I started to experience some SE. I too was 100% continent prior to starting, but I am experiencing some stress leaks. Not to bad, but disappointing - this too shall pass. I am with you when it comes to bouts of constipation. I fully expected the diarrhea but the constipation is worse (in my opinion). Senacot is my new friend. lol

Keep the count down going.......so glad to hear you are doing well.

Mark
Posted 5/2/2011 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
I'm behind on my signature posting. The last reading on here was really0.3. Then six months later it doubled to 0.7 in Sept, 2010. In December, 2010 it doubled again to 1.3.

So it started going up real fast....

Posted 5/3/2011 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
OK, today's update:

#30 down; 8 to go. After tomorrow, I will be over 80% done.

This time the result is painful achy testicles. It seems at least half the times I do experience something.

However, the cramps have resolved and my appetite is back.

I have my weekly RO appointment tomorrow. Looking forward to that mid-week break on Wednesday!

Mel

Posted 5/3/2011 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
81.6% to be exact, you are racing toward the finish line now
Posted 5/3/2011 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
David:

If you are going to be exact, try 81.57895.

Incidentally, I did bring in a box of candy for the techs yesterday!

Mel

Posted 5/3/2011 12:53 PM (GMT 0)

The real countdown begins now Mel.  You have weathered this just fine.  Any fatigue like hitting a wall yet?  That's what happened to me near the end.  All in all, you are cruising through this realatively unscathed.  Let's hope the last 8 are uneventful for you.

Jack 

Posted 5/3/2011 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Why candy? They are doing what they are paid to do. You are the one getting lethal radiation zapped into your body, and feeling side effects. They should buy you the candy.
Posted 5/3/2011 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I tried to be nice to my techs - they did go above and beyond every day to be cheerful and pleasant. I did see how hard it was for them to deal with some of the "less pleasant" patients - we had more than one that nobody even wanted to have to sit beside in the waiting room, they were so full of, well, you can imagine.

And yes, I was happy, as we talked about earlier, that they were so "anal" about checking each thing every day (including water).

I completely agree with David in respect to the job, and if the RO is not listening, that does complicate things. I went to my GP several times and got his opinion on the side effects, which I used as a balance.

 

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