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5 days to go on Radiation

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Posted 6/19/2020 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
So to the exact day one year post RP I was re-diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and have completed 4 months of ADT out of six and 35 days of radiation out of 40. Just 5 more sessions to go and 2 more months of ADT. I am a G7 but the RO thinks he will "cure" me. We will see, but I can say that the past 5 months have been a ton harder than RP.
Posted 6/19/2020 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully you are on the treatment glide path now. I hope it is very effective and you can tun your back on PCa and further treatment. How are the side effects from the radiation?
Posted 6/19/2020 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
So the ADT is worse than radiation. Fatigue and lack of appetite has been the worse part. Also going #2 was just once a day,now it is up 6 or 7 a day due to irradiation from the radiation. Also drinking four 24 once waters before treatment sucks.
Posted 6/19/2020 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi FranPro. The Finish Line is just ahead -- stay strong!! I'm curious -- with your pre-op PSA >10, pT3b post-op staging, and high-risk Decipher score, was there discussion about starting adjuvant therapy earlier, or were all in agreement with a wait-and-see what your PSA does approach?

Djin
Posted 6/19/2020 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
No, my Uro refused to give me a ref to Dana Farber after 3 straight PSA increases so I had to go to my GP and ask, she agreed. DF said I def. needed treatments. Thanks to my support group at AnCan I became my own advocate and got my ADT and Radiation approved.
Posted 6/19/2020 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I had IMRT/IGRT (40 sessions each 1.8 grays) several years ago. FWIW, I had zero side effects during and after radiation. I never changed my diet and continued work every day and stopped by the radiation center on the way home from work every day to get nuked.

So hang in there! Your are almost done.
Posted 6/20/2020 12:44 AM (GMT 0)

Hello FranPro ~~~

You're rounding the curve for that final victory lap!

Finish line, in your sight!

I had 45 radiation treatments. Starting out is daunting, with that many treatments to knock out. You know the feeling, too.

For me, it was work all day, watch the clock, drink the proper amount of water for the "full bladder" requirement, change into gym clothes, drive to the treatment center without a moment to spare, for the very last available appointment of the day.

But, I REMEMBER having just five treatments left. Get ready to ring that bell on your last appointment day!

By next weekend, you can rest and relax ... all your treatments will be knocked out by then!

All the best, as you finish that final VICTORY LAP!

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University
Posted 6/20/2020 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Ring that bell next week, FranPro. Sorry ADT's been so tough on you, but just a couple of months more, you're almost there. I know where you're coming from when you say the past 5 months have been tougher than RP. I felt the same way. For "cure," I'd substitute "never need further treatment." You've got a good shot at that.
Posted 6/20/2020 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there, and yes most of us get sick of drinking water for a while.
Posted 6/21/2020 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thinking about you, Franpro.
You took my call a couple months before my surgery and helped me through a tough time, while you were getting your own tough news. I remember. Thanks again.
Keep rocking man.
BD
Posted 6/22/2020 6:32 PM (GMT 0)

FranPro said...
So to the exact day one year post RP I was re-diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and have completed 4 months of ADT out of six and 35 days of radiation out of 40. Just 5 more sessions to go and 2 more months of ADT. I am a G7 but the RO thinks he will "cure" me. We will see, but I can say that the past 5 months have been a ton harder than RP.

I wish all us high risk guys all the best, but cure (as in your PSA will never rise and you will never need more treatment) is not supported by statistics with your pathology.
Posted 6/22/2020 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Cure is a word that should be used very very carefully. In many cases, remission is the better word.
Posted 6/22/2020 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Pigs are cured...human beings are cures in themselves...that's putting the soul in the wizened wize
Posted 6/22/2020 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Guys, I am fully aware that is why I said "Cure", because that was the term my RO used in our last meeting.
Posted 9/8/2020 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Fran,
We are fellow NH folks too. My husband had Dr. Girasole do his Surgery 2015.
Could you tell me the name of your RO? We are hoping we arent going to have to seek out a RO. But, I want to find a good one if we need it. I was looking for either a Dana Farber or Dr. Alan Hartford at DH Lebanon. I see they have cutting edge treatment
New Protection for Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy
D-H's NCCC is the only hospital in Northern New England to offer a hydrogel that protects organs adjacent to the prostate, reducing side effects for patients undergoing radiation for prostate cancer.
Thank You
Posted 9/8/2020 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
My RO is Dr. Knab at the Elliott/ Dana Farber in Londonderry. He is very good. My MO is Dr Roberts Dana Farber Boston.
Posted 9/9/2020 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Fran, hope all is going well for you post radiation - I felt very tired for a few months afterwards but I'm about 18 months out now and all that is a memory.
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