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Posted 5/20/2015 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
My wife and I drove 3.5 hours down to the Chicago CPCC to meet with Dr Moran and to complete a prostate volume study. Dr Moran was very confident and seems to really believe in LDR BT. He quoted a very high percentage 15 year cure rate for Gleason 6/T1C patients. My main concern was long term secondary cancers. Dr Moran stated "they just don't see them". That set my mind more at ease.

After meeting with the doctor I was brought into another room for the volume study. The preparatory paperwork indicated a catheter would be used so I thought I was prepared. Think again... after changing into a robe I was placed into the stirrups with my feet in the air. I knew what was coming next when the nurse moved towards me. It hurt like a son of a gun. I yelled Stop! Wait! I think everyone in the building could hear me. It did not get any better as she tried to get the catheter into place. I don't know what the problem was but it did not feel normal and it was extremely uncomfortable. The catheterization was by far worse than the biopsy for me. The ultrasound with the probe in my backside was a piece of cake after that. The technician asked if I wanted to see the pictures of my 27.4 CC prostate. I thought I did but after 15 seconds I excused myself back to the bathroom to get changed first. I felt violated. The tech and nurse were great. It is just something we have to get through.

The catheter is used to more easily see the urethra when the seed mapping is done. That made sense to me and made the experience worthwhile. I am all for anything that can assist in getting the seeds placed correctly.

We met with Dr Moran one more time before leaving and he asked if we had anymore questions. He felt I was a perfect candidate for the LDR BT procedure.

I have not scheduled my LDR BT appointment yet. I will make my final decision shortly but I feel at this time this will be the route I will take.
Posted 5/20/2015 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
My volume study was not near as traumatic as yours sounds.

You will be well taken care of at CPCC if that's what you decide on.
Posted 5/20/2015 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Arley-
Welcome. Would you care to share details of your diagnosis? If you are Gleason 6 and T1c, why are you considering treatment rather than active surveillance? (e.g., high PSA, high volume of cancer, psychological reasons). What other therapies have you looked into (e.g., surgery, SBRT, HDR brachy, focal)? I think Moran is excellent, btw.

Here's an article about secondary cancers that may give you peace of mind:

Risk for radiation-induced second primary cancer (RTSPC) is low and may differ by radiation technique
Posted 5/20/2015 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Arley and welcome. I'll echo Allen's request for you to share more details of your diagnosis...perhaps in a "signature" created in your profile that can follow you as you post with us.

There are a number of us on this forum who had very successful LDR Brachy (including me) and a number of men who used Dr. Moran who is one of the best. For due diligence if you have not done so, it's probably a good idea to speak with doctors in all of the major specialties that may cure you including surgery, HDR Brachy and SBRT. Of course it would also be great if AS is an option for you.

BTW, feel free to read my long winded journey by copying and pasting the link in my signature. As you will see, the volume study was by far the worst part of the whole procedure for me as well. I had no issue with the catheter but the probe up my butt was - shall we say -- a difficult few minutes for me! After that the procedure itself and the aftermath were a relative breeze.

Good luck, stick with us and we look forward to hearing how you progress.

Jim
Posted 5/20/2015 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
You are a perfect candidate for any treatment as you most likely have indolent cancer, that will never bother you. I say that bluntly and with little authority. But do some serious rethinking on AS. Do yourself a flavor….
Posted 5/21/2015 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
Greetings Arley, and I'll also extend a welcome. I was treated by Dr. Moran nearly three years ago and am doing simply great - PSA down at a nice Nadir, no SE's. I'm surprised that you had so much trouble with the catheter as I didn't experience that, and it was the first time ever for me and I was freaking out! I was more concerned about the "probe" for the volume study but made it through that as well.

During that early part of my journey I started a thread out here on HW that covers some of my thoughts about this process, and in particular I detailed my day of having the seeds implanted. Here is a link to page 2 of that thread - partway down the page is that description.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2499920&p=2

I wish you well as you move forward - stay tight, things will be fine!
Posted 5/21/2015 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Until we see your metrics, all I can do is echo that Dr. Brian Moran and his entire staff at the Chicago Prostate Center are great. I had two consults with him while in Midwest to see my daughter and her family.

I ultimatley decided on SBRT to limit the timeframe to only 5 fractiosn but would have been comfortable with Dr, Moran at the helm if I had chosen the 7-9 week approach.

Reward yourself after all the catheter pain by going to Pappadeaux restaurant down the street.
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