5 year Proton treatment update

Good on you B.O.B

I assume you mean in Jacksonville. I missed last year and have no plans to go this year either. I have my local urologist perform the DRE and discuss any SE's with him. Up until recently my SE's have been minor but here lately I have been experiencing urges to urinate during long walks. No problem any other time. I dont get up at night anymore. I can't walk more than 4 miles now without a pit stop in the woods. It's becoming very annoying. Glad to hear you're well.

The use of Proton for PCa has declined significantly over the last five years as Medicare and most insurance companies have all but stopped reimbursing due to the greater costs and no advantage compared to IMRT/IGRT/SBRT and brachytherapy.

The center here in Atlanta is finally opening after more than three years of delays and near financial failure during construction. PCa is on the list, but my radiation oncologist says they don't expect to do much PCa business due to the lack reimbursement approvals by most third party payors..

hrpufnstuf,
My RO said that it is not uncommon to have the PSA bounce around a bit. Since there is still a Prostate gland that produces PSA. He said he would not be concerned unless it jumped up to nadir + 2. So in my case 2.3 . I have not had my 5 year consult yet, that is next week. But no movement is good. I feel that minor fluctuations are not concerning. Just part of the mindset when you choose radiation. Your numbers look good, and I wish you continued downward trends. Just remember to abstain from sex, running, long walks, bike rides for a few days before the blood draw. If nothing else, you won't have to consider if the activities negatively affected the PSA test.
Side note: I retired last year before .6, walk or ride everyday, and have lost +30lbs. I am curious if that had any effect. I don't really expect an answer.

Cheers to everyone this holiday season. Kris

Dr. Bill, William Mendenhall.