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One Year After Brachytherapy

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 4/2/2015 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
JustJulie, so great to hear things are still going well for Hubby - your old posts of your husbands journey were so instrumental in Jeff's treatment choice.
Stay well.
Susan
x
Posted 4/2/2015 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Susan!

So glad to hear our journey was of some help - even to know just one person was comforted or gained some kind of knowledge or encouragement is in itself rewarding.  I can attest to the fact that not once did we second guess our choice of Brachytherapy - other than fatigue, the side effects were minimal and my husband is as busy as ever - the "undetectable" results were the icing on the cake!

I will be forever grateful for Dr. Juanita Crook and the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto for their expert care.  Dr. Crook has moved on to another province to share her wealth of knowledge and I now understand that Brachytherapy is now being studied as a viable treatment for breast cancer!

Warm regards to all and thanks for your continued support.

Post Edited (JustJulie) : 4/2/2015 10:41:27 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/2/2015 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Even though this is an old thread it's nice to hear from some familiar voices. Julie, I'm so happy that you guys are doing well. Nice years of success is amazing -- I'm now working on seven. You were very inspiring to me when I first joined HW and your story was extremely helpful as I made my decision. Continued best wishes to you.

Jim
Posted 4/2/2015 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
My radiation oncologist told me I was not a canadate for brackytheorpy because I had one Gleason score of 7. I. Still in the process of making a decision on which method to use. This was one option I conceded but was turned down.
Posted 4/2/2015 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'll echo what Tudpock just said - so nice to hear again from the ladies (Susan and Julie) - who were also so instrumental and helpful to me all along! Great to hear your guys continue to do well!

Soxx - good to see you back out here. Last I heard you were leaning towards getting on an AS program for awhile, is that still the case? Also, I don't at all agree with your RO's comment about not being a candidate for brachytherapy because of one G7 - simply, completely, false. I reviewed your biopsy results and as many of us had indicated - you're very likely to be successful no matter what approach you take, it's more a matter of your preference and things that are important to you. . . .
Posted 4/2/2015 5:12 PM (GMT 0)

soxx said...
My radiation oncologist told me I was not a canadate for brackytheorpy because I had one Gleason score of 7. I. Still in the process of making a decision on which method to use. This was one option I conceded but was turned down.

Soxx, I agree with Yoop...G7 alone does NOT preclude Brachytherapy. I suggest you consult with experienced experts in LDR Brachy, HDR Brachy and SBRT. Then you will have the facts you need to decide.

Jim
Posted 4/2/2015 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yes that is what I was told about brackytheorpy. My wife is not to happy with AS and wants me to do something. She knows I have time to decide but is not comfortable with that. I'm still exploring options. I'm strongly leaning toward EBRT. I have been reading books and reserching the internet and talking to doctors and people that went through pc.
Posted 4/2/2015 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Soxx, I wonder what your doctor would have said about me qualifying for brachy since I had three G7 cores. Oh, and a G9 core. I had brachy and like most others here, it looks to be successful.

Can I presume that the doctor that told you this didn't perform brachytherapy?
Posted 4/2/2015 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Good point Michael.  When we were investigating all options, every doctor thought "their" method was the best - the surgeon suggested surgery, the brachy doctor suggested brachy, etc.  We saw the surgeon, the brachy doctor and the external beam doctor ...

 

Posted 4/2/2015 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Soxx, I would have to say that you should not give up on Brachy just yet. I had a G7 (3+4) diagnosis myself. Although I am only 6 months post treatment, my PSA has gone from 10.7 to 2.7 at my 6 month visit yesterday on 4/1/2015. I'm pretty much back to normal now and had very few side affects post treatment. Definately no side effects that I would say were bad. I fully expect after a year I won't even be able to tell that I had the treatment.

I would suggest that if Brachy is something you are interested in that you don't give up on it. Seek out knowledgeable doctors on the subject. I went to multiple doctors during the process of trying to determine my path and yes, they all have their bias's. It sure doesn't help much in making your decision. Don't hesitate to contact me via email if you would like me to go into more detail about my experience.

Good luck and all the best to you!
Posted 4/2/2015 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Time to find a different RO. Doesn't make any sense that brachy wold not be available.I was G7 with a an enlarged 64mm prostate. Go with an those who specialize in prostate cancer. some offer free phone consults, you send your records and they will advise you. good luck
Posted 4/2/2015 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
My first PSA post Brachytherapy was 2.9 on 3/18/15. My radiation Oncologist said this number "looks good."

Pre-Brachy numbers:

12/12/14: PSA 7.9 (might be elevated due to 10/23/14 biopsy - not sure).
10/10/14: PSA 5.5
09/09/14: PSA 4.8
Posted 4/2/2015 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Scott, congrats on your good number! Has the brachy had any negative effect on your urinary issues?
Posted 4/2/2015 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Soxx, I agree with others as your Cancer appears less than my own G7.

I'd go to a major, well known Cancer center or teaching hospital and take control of your own health. Learn as much as you can about all treatments.

I had HDR Brachytherapy alone and my first PSA, at the one month mark, dropped from 4.5 to 1.7.

It took a couple of months for the mild urinary urgency to subside but otherwise it wasn't all that big of a deal.
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