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Re: Radiation

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Posted 4/25/2012 9:38 PM (GMT 0)

The Radiologist and Oncologist have agreed to give me 7 weeks, 5 days a week radiation.  Where before there was no hope for anything to do.  In fact I was told that "Some People" live up to 3 more years in my condition

My PSA has been stable for  6 months, 0.04 to 0.12.  They thought that the cancer had taken hold in my lower bone area, 17 mm (about 0.6").  But as they said, and I know, I have some pain in that area, but I had this pain for over 20 odd years.  I cannot even "touch toes" and if I do, I cannot get up streight!  So they must think Radiation will be fine and get rid of the cancer.

QUESTION:  How does the radiation affect people; I am 71 years old, in great shape, swim 1,000 metres daily, and work out at my gym in the basement for about 1/2 hour, my wieght is ideal, at 165 or so, 5 foot nine inches.

Jean, Aurora, Ontario, Canada

Posted 4/25/2012 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Jean,

One bit of advice: keep on swimming and working out during radiation treatments. I stayed on my exercise routine and it helped. Others will chime in with tips but I think you will do fine.

Posted 4/25/2012 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
My radiation "journey" is linked in my signature. All of the side effects that I picked up during treatment? Still have them all 21 months later to some degree.
Posted 4/25/2012 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
My Husband finished his Radio the week before Easter and he is back to normal, sofar he has been so lucky with no side effects apart form a little bit of bowel issues, ie over active then underactive! he was tired for the first 2 weeks after treatment stopped but is all good now. Just waiting for June for the next PSA test to see what is happening, have been told that the level can "bounce" after treatment and may take up to 6 to 12 months to stabalise.

The only thing he was told was not to over exert himself during treatments, gentle exercise fine but no running marathons.

Posted 4/26/2012 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Jean,
You'll do fine. I did the radiation. I had a few bowel problems, hemorrhoids and fatigue. Everyone is a bit different so it's hard to say for sure what you'll get.

I was able to work for almost the whole time, kept up my blog and spent time in the shop. It wasn't nearly as bad as I feared.

Best wishes for a positive outcome.
Andrew
Posted 5/11/2012 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Tomorrow is my last treatment with IMRT and Calypso Beacon system using the Varian Trilogy Smart arc technology. 39 total treatments for a total of 78 Gys to the prostate. I have finished 38 treatments so far and like InTheShop, I had hemorrhoids (internal type) treated with suppositories after the third week. Also had urinary burning which I took aleve twice a day for and vesicare daily as my bladder is overactive. That helped alot. I ran a 10k after the second week and felt fine. however after about the 4th week I curtailed my exercises down quite a bit as I got tired/fatigue and had some issues with my bipolar daughter which can be exhausting anyway. But I feel great about choosing this treatment for me. I worked everyday and sometimes overtime so it hasn't stopped my normal life. I was first up every morning so that helped alot since I had to have a full bladder. I will have a followup oncologist visit in a month then every 3 months thereafter to check PSA levels.
Posted 5/11/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Jean,
While I don't know all of your story I do know a thing or two about PCa. Your PSA is small. And your doc told you that "some people" will die in three years with your numbers...

I disagree very much with your doc trying to "scare" you into treatment that way. It's inappropriate and its more likely false. It is true that radiation can be beneficial for you, but I would get a second opinion as well.

I had 38 treatments of IMRT radiation and did very well with some slight fatigue during treatment. You should do well with radiation, even able to keep your exercise regimen.

Please note that I do not mean to down play the use of radiation. But I don't like your radiation oncologists approach.

Tony
Posted 5/11/2012 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Jean,
Glad to hear you're almost done. I am now waiting for my post treatment PSA test (next month). It's almost 2 1/2 months since I finish and most of the side effects are gone. My energy is almost back to normal.

The only still bothering me is whether or not this treatment worked.

All the best.
Posted 5/11/2012 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Jean,

I agree with Tony above, sounds like some serious scare tactics were done to you by this doctor. With your numbers, it would be highly unlikely that you would die from PC anytime soon, definitely not from the time frame told to you. That alone would make me seek another doctor and another opinion.

With radiation as a primary treatment, yes, there can be some bounce, and even some small rises after RT, until it finishes the job it starts, but typically with Salvage Radiation (SRT), there should not be any rises after the radiation finishes, if it does, its usally an indicator that the radiation failed as a secondary treatment.

David in SC
Posted 5/11/2012 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
Jean, if there is any question that you have mets to your spine you may want to consider a biopsy to be sure. I was also in your position, leasion to my lower spine in an area for common spread of PCa. I was being preppped for RT showed that it was just an anomally in th bone. My PSa at the time was also very low .28 I think. I my case SRT was not an issue. Proper prep is key.
Posted 5/11/2012 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Jean
Not sure why they're offering you RT or SRT with such low PSA.
As for your back problems are they not perhaps just related to diving?
Alf
Posted 5/11/2012 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Guys, he is a G9/10, so that changes the picture. There's more to his story than what you see here. Here's some background info to help understand what he is doing now. Here's what he listed in Dec.:

PSA: 14.7Biopsy September 1, 2011 - 12 cores taken.
Biopsy Result Gleason 9 (4+5), 12 of 12 positive,
CT Scan: NONSPECIFIC circomscribed sclerotic lesion within sacrum
Bone Scan: Same as above, only mention "SUSPICIOUS" whatever that means
Treatment: Hormone Therapy: Bicalutamide Tab 50 Mg started October 5, 2011 - for 30 days only.
First Lupron Shot Scheduled October 19, 2011
In 4 months I am to go back for an MRI.

Then in Feb. in a thread:

It has gone from 14.7 to now 0.04. I am not sure what it means, however, Dr. Green my Oncologist gave me another 4 months Lupron shot yesterday. He says, the Cancer has nealy stops on it's track, whatever that means. Thanks the Canadian Health Care, any of that, hospitals, MRI's Bone Scan and the likes cost me 0. Nilch, Nada. Of course, I have paid into the system plenty over the years.


I am 9/10 Gleason. I found out last August of my cancer. I was 14.7 they took 12 pieces out of me, and 12 out 12 were cancerous. It seems that is the only problems as thus far, only my lower back bone is suspect. They are not sure but it is a ??? 15mm according the the Radiologist.


I am a 9/10, Stage 4. Suspect bone metastasis 14.7 mm. MRI last night. The answer will be next week, on Thursday afternoon. Dr. Cho, the Radiologist. Suspect via Bone Scan, X-Ray and ET.. Had them all. Why can these guys not see things clearly the first time or the second time??? Or even my last MRI 4 months ago???
Posted 5/12/2012 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm, did I read this wrong? The silence is disturbing.... tongue
Posted 5/13/2012 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think you read it wrong but find it very interesting that this thread went suddenly quite after your last post. Just wondering what that means...
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