Moving through ADT and Salvage Radiation

One week of Rdiation down, seven weeks to go. So far nothing of note. No side effects, as expected for week one. This week was tough sledding only because my appointments have been at different times every day, ranging from 3pm to 9PM. But starting Tuesday, I’ll be getting treatment at 7:20am each day, which means I need to be there by 6:30AM, to start drinking,

This week I got my second shot of Firmagon. I had what the NP thinks was an allergic reaction, with the whole left side of my stomach swelling up and getting very red. Took benedryl last night and it’s much better. But she’s going to discuss with my RO and is recommending that I switch to Lupron. Wouldn’t be a bad thing, because I’d get a 1 month shot, followed by a 3 month shot, bs a shot every month for Firmagon for the next 4 months.

As far as side effects of ADT, nothing too bothersome. Just hot flashes followed by the sweats, then a cool feeling. Lasts a minute or two. Erections are a bit harder to come by (no pun intended). But I don’t really care.
Other than that, no problems.

Every time someone comes out of the dressing room and rings the bell, I think, can’t f’n wait.

Hi Pratoman
My RO suggested I try drinking soy milk to help with the hot flashes. I am now drinking 3 glasses of chocolate soy milk, and it does seem to have diminished my hot flashes.

Prato,

you have been in my thoughts. Glad you are getting this done and looking forward to you being done.

Best,

Howard

Prato -

Make sure NP is slowly rolling, not shaking the Firmagon, and that all of the particles are dissolved, before injecting.

Irritation is expected, when I had Firmagon irritation was usually the size of a softball and red for a few days, but not the whole side.

Good luck with your treatment!

Bobby Mac

@Andrew, Mattamax, I agree, boring so far, which is fine with me.
@CaptainG, the hot flashes are not that bothersome, but if they get worse I’ll keep that in mind
@hogo, MG, thanks will do
@bobbyMac, Behemond, I asked the first time I got a shot and was told that the lab mixes it and shakes it up or something like that. The first shot, I had a similar reaction, but less pronounced. The lump is there for sure, it’s a pocket that forms and acts as a depot and the drug is released from there slowly into the body. It’s already getting smaller.

I’ll see what Zelefsky (RO) says, when he gets back from vacation next week. Once I made the decision to go ahead with this, I decided I’ll do whatever he says, if he tells me to jump off a bridge, I’ll do it, lol. I’m in his hands, that’s why I decided on MSK

Prato, sounds as if the RT is not too bad for you. I found, as others have said, that keeping moving was better than sitting, although I did nap occasionally. Almost five weeks from the end, no lingering SEs except some weakness in one thigh, same side where the last Lupron shot was. Feels like a pulled hamstring but isn’t (because it’s intermittent and I can run on it). I think the needle nicked a nerve back there.

I used “progressing” for its double meaning — the PCa was progressing and so was I. Hope your meaning refers only to you and not the PCa.

Agree on following Dr. Z to the letter — I feel the same toward Dr. Mychalczak.

Keep progressing!

Thanks guys for the encouragement.

Progressing, your comment ..”Almost five weeks from the end, no lingering SEs except some weakness in one thigh, same side where the last Lupron shot was” ... is music to my ears.

And yeah, maybe Progressing wasn’t a great word to use. I think I’ll change it 😂

Thanks Roger, that’s what I’m doing, plowing through it with my head down, hopefully it continues to be easy.