Husband 1st WeeK of RT

My husband (age 72) chose RT+HT for his prostate cancer treatment.  He is scheduled to have a total of 26 RT treatments.  This is the first week of his RT.  After only three days, he already developed mild side effects of increased frequency of urination along with some burning sensation.  We were told by the RT oncologist during our consultation that patients usually don't get side effects in the first two weeks.  So I am worried.  I am afraid my husband is going to have a very tough time down the road.  I was wondering if some of you can share your IG-IMRT experiences - what are the side effects you experienced, when they started, whether they worsened throughout the entire treatment period, and how long they lasted after treatment ended.  Learning from people who have gone through the same journey will prepare me with more realistic expectations.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

I had 45 radiation treatments, over the course of nine weeks.

Be honest with your radiologist, but remember these are early days.

A few things I learned ~ I don't drink alcohol, as it is, but stay away from alcohol.

Also ~ caffeinated drinks can be irritating to one's "waterworks."

Water is the best form of hydration ~ no surprise.

I found weekends were a nice reprieve ~ and allows some restorative "healing time" between each week of treatments.

Forty-five treatments seemed daunting to me, the night before it all began.

I was filled with worrisome thoughts and anxiety.

Things settled down for me, after I got a couple of treatments under my belt.

I focused simply on the next day.

Day by day, the treatments went along. The "one day at a time" mindset kept me calm and laser-focused on only the next day.

I went to a different restaurant each weekend for those nine weeks as a reward.

I took a walk every day. That helped boost my energy and cleared my mind.

The radiation treatments were not always a "Sunday walk in the park" ~ but those treatments have paid tremendous dividends, beyond words.

That's the most important thing I wanted to share with you this evening.

Sending supportive thoughts your way ~

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Dear Summer99 ~

We have a VERY helpful radiation treatment thread here.

I think you and your husband will find it insightful and helpful.

Many of us here banded together to share first-hand experiences with radiation.

We shared what we learned. We shared strategies to mitigate side effects. We shared things that would help other fellows, down the road.

This thread is near the top of current topics on your screen.

Simply scroll down & you will see the thread entitled "My Experience With External Beam Radiation."

As you read through it, just down a few notes of helpful tips. Or, print it off and highlight insightful tidbits. Your husband might find it helpful, too.

A huge part of reading this thread is gaining the sense that you are not alone, in going through radiation treatments.

I'm a school teacher and nine weeks of radiation treatments represents an entire quarter of a 180-day school year.

It felt like a long slog when I started, but the days and weeks went by more quickly than I first imagined.

Those radiation treatments were a powerful step forward in my treatment plan. The impact on my PSA levels after treatments were over ~ impactful!

Check out that suggested thread ~ it's like a navigation guide for forging through radiation treatments!

Thinking of you both ~ stay strong, stay determined, stay the course!
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Thank you all for the feedback. It is one thing to discuss side effects with RO but it's very informative coming from people who have had the first-hand patient experiences. Special thanks to Cyclone. The thread that you recommended has lots of good advices. Very much appreciated!

A little late now, but was your husband offered the Space Oar gel between the rectum and prostate to protect the rectum? As far as filling the bladder before treatment that should become routine fairly quick. People have had accidents on the table which the techs are well aware of and handle it professionally. Maybe to comfort you some, I believe the RO takes a look at the parameters before each treatment starts to make sure everything is ready to go. At least my RO did that. My urgency started in the first couple of weeks. I do remember it effected my bowels more early on. However, after all the treatments were finished both the urgency and the bowels improved. Wishing you the best and ask any questions you may have. He is just starting the process of knocking this down. Just remember this is long distance run, not a sprint. Hang in there, it goes by fairly quick and look forward to ringing the bell at the end.
Jack

The full bladder helps stabilize the organs and surrounding “stuff”’from moving around. If they said he met the requirement to proceed, I’m sure it was fine. Plus if administered correctly they have markers and computer generated images to keep the radiation beam where it is supposed to be. Tell the RO your concerns, let them explain the process so you understand
All that assuming your hubby is being treated at a radiation center experienced with prostate treatment. Not a private equity owned radiation mill.
I had 36 treatments, mostly urgency and frequency to urinate.
My RO also had me on medications to increase blood flow to the area and one to help with urine flow and something else used off label to protect the rectum.

The drug was Carafate pill form,
RO said it creates a mucus like coating that helps protect from radiation, and Trental to increase blood flow for healing.
This was pre space oar and from an RO who only treated prostate cancer, he had over 20 year’s experience at the time.