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JustJulie's Brachytherapy Journey

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Posted 4/13/2007 8:21 PM (GMT 0)

Dutch:

Glad to help our where I can.  My husband's job involved him being on his feet most of the day, heavy lifting, etc. so he took the time to recover because when he went back it was "all or nothing" (and it was).  Fatigue was a concern at the beginning but he learned to adjust to what his body would allow him to do - everyone is different.  My husband is very driven so it was hard for him to slow down but you can only push your body so far before you have to listen to it.  He had no incontinence(!) after his catheter was out - and it came out in the hospital before we left.  Flomax helped in that regard and I highly recommend it - very little if any burning and no anxiety about "going".  No pads needed in our house (although I did purchase a good mattress cover but it was ever needed).

Good luck to you BIL - let me know if he has any other questions!

JustJulie

Posted 4/13/2007 8:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Jim:

I'm just glad I found this place when I/we needed it the most so I'm simply "paying it forward" to help others out.

I'm happy to answer anything about Brachytherapy so keep those questions coming - I'd rather someone be informed than misinformed!

JustJulie

Posted 4/14/2007 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Justjulie, I read your post with great interest. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration for answering the many questions posted to you. You have had many accolades to your detailed writing. thumbs up to you and a big hug.

I too am considering Seed Implants and have some questions in that regard. Hopefully I didn't miss any previous answers.
First, What Seeds were used ?? Iodine? Palladium? Cesium? Did the Dr. give you a choice ?
What did the doctor say about the Half Life of the Seed?? i.e.: how long did he say that it would take for the radiation to run its course? (be expended and out of the body)

Second, Did the recovery room use ice packs to reduce the swelling? Were they used at home ? for how long?

Third, Was there swelling to the extent that it hurt to sit down ?? If so, for how long? While walking ?

Fourth, I might have missed this previous answer, Was there a period of Incontinence? The use of Pads? How long? Hurt/pain?

My stats:
T1c, psa=10, gleason=3+3=6, biopsy = 2 of 6 positive on left, right is neg. presently awaiting next psa.

And last, Do you know any one else that has had Seed Implant that would discuss their experiences ?

Thanking you in advance for your time and consideration. toby
Posted 4/16/2007 12:48 PM (GMT 0)

Toby:

Here's the anwers to your questions:

With respect to seed used, let me check to be sure I give you the right answer - I need to consult my cancer journal.  We did not have a choice, the doctor preferred to use a specific seed as she felt the yielded the best results - we trust her medical opinion.

You are deemed to be "in treatment" for six months - every two months the seed lose half their life.

Recovery room did use ice packs to reduce swelling.  We continued to use them at home when needed (they were actually gel packs which are more comfortable that ice packs).  My husband didn't use them very long.

There was (obviously) discomfort for the first day - the ride home was uncomfortable - get yourself an air cushion or rubber ring -they help.  He was able to sit and stand but experimented with what chairs were most comfortable.  If you have your cushion and/or ring you're set.

He didn't suffer any incontinence.  We had sample pads but I dont' think he ever used them.  I did, however, purchase a good mattress cover for nights - just in case - but no problem there either.

Anticipation of pain/burning made peeing worse that it was - ask for Flomax - it made everything flow easier and once you realize it doesn't hurt, your body naturally relaxes and thing start to get back to normal.

I hope this sets you at ease a little, if you have any more questions, just let me know, I'm happy to help.

Warm regards,

JustJulie

Posted 4/16/2007 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning from snowy southern NY state. I am 75 years old--7 of 11 needles indicated cancer on August 1, 2006--last PSA March 29 2007 was 4.7. Gleason 3+4=7. Negative bone scan and ct scan. Prostate about 35 cm. I am 5'8" 160 lbs and in otherwise good health. I have pondered cyotherapy--permanent and temporary seeding.
Has anybody in this forum had HDR brachy?
I attend support groups and many in the group have had permanent seeding with good results and minimal aftereffects.
I talked to another patient who lives in my area who had hdr brachy and is very pleased with the results. He had more probelms with another urologist who put him on hormone therapy before the HDR brachy procedure. The HDR doctor advised hi m that he did not need the hormone therapy.
The experience level of the Doctor is so important and will be my guide as to either permanent or temporary seeding. I live about 100 miles from larger Hospitals.
By the way, I became interested in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and they do not accept Medicare Insurance for their services so you have to waive Medicare and have fairly deep pockets for whatever care they might render to you.
I have been taking vitamin
E combined with selenium---grapeseed extract and saw palmetto---Soy lecithin and flaxseed oil---81 mg aspirin and multi-vitamins with no iron to build up my immune system.
Will be treated with some seeding soon.
Please respond to my new email address which is [email protected] if you send personal mail and thanks all.
Posted 4/16/2007 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Doston:

I/we only have experience with traditional radioactive seeding - although my husband did particiapte in the "stranded seeding" trial where the seeds are stranded together with a view to better coverage and less risk of migration.

The one thing your Brachytherapy will/should tell you is not to take any supplements post-seeding - including vitamins.  The lack of a multi-vitamin may slightly increase the fatigue but our Brachytherapist did not want it to interere with seeding treatments so you vitamins must come from natural food intake.

Hope this helps.

JustJulie

 

Posted 4/16/2007 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the quick reply, Julie. I will continue the vitamin etc intake until the seeding process and check the local urologist as to future intake. I wanted to boost my immume system and read that most of what I am taking allegedly help with fighting the so-called radicals floating around inside our bodies. I also read that there was or is a clinical study involving grapeseed extract. All of the "stuff" I am taking is relatively cheap and I have noticed no aftereffects whatever.
Jim
Posted 4/16/2007 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Jim:

Good for you for being so informed.  The better shape you're in going into surgery the better your recovery.  My husband was only 44 when diagnosed and in really good shape with no signs of anything (so you can imagine the shock is his diagnosis).  I think his recovery symptoms were a direct result of that.

Keep doing what you're doing - keep a healthy body helps keep a healthy and postiive mind.

Good luck to you and best wishes for successful seeding.

JustJulie

Posted 4/16/2007 5:55 PM (GMT 0)

JustJulie said...
Toby:

Here's the anwers to your questions:

With respect to seed used, let me check to be sure I give you the right answer - I need to consult my cancer journal. We did not have a choice, the doctor preferred to use a specific seed as she felt the yielded the best results - we trust her medical opinion.

You are deemed to be "in treatment" for six months - every two months the seed lose half their life.

Recovery room did use ice packs to reduce swelling. We continued to use them at home when needed (they were actually gel packs which are more comfortable that ice packs). My husband didn't use them very long.

There was (obviously) discomfort for the first day - the ride home was uncomfortable - get yourself an air cushion or rubber ring -they help. He was able to sit and stand but experimented with what chairs were most comfortable. If you have your cushion and/or ring you're set.

He didn't suffer any incontinence. We had sample pads but I dont' think he ever used them. I did, however, purchase a good mattress cover for nights - just in case - but no problem there either.

Anticipation of pain/burning made peeing worse that it was - ask for Flomax - it made everything flow easier and once you realize it doesn't hurt, your body naturally relaxes and thing start to get back to normal.

I hope this sets you at ease a little, if you have any more questions, just let me know, I'm happy to help.

Warm regards,

JustJulie

Hi JustJulie, Thanks for answering my questions.
At this point, I would be content to get through the ordeal with similiar impact as that of your Husband, Hopefully not more. I have read of some bad experiences.
Comments: I can tell from your time reference that the Seed used was Iodine. it has a Half Life of 60 days.
I have a prescription for Flomax that I got approved to see if it helps and it did. I will take your advice and get a cushion, we already have the ice packs.

The reason that I asked about the type of Seed is that I am aware of three seeds that can be used; Iodine(half life 60 days), Palladium(half life 17 days), and Cesium(half life 10 days). The last was approved in 2004 and only a few clinics are licensed to use it. Iodine came first then Palladium which has been in use for 10+ yrs.
Cost is more for Palladium and Cesium. All are approved by the FDA and Medicare.

I am not sure just what determines the use of a particular seed. Maybe it is tied to the half life.
I assume that the radiation is expended quicker and stronger over a shorter time with a shorter half life seed and therefore is out of the system in a shorter time, thus less impact in the long term.

If anyone has an answer to the last questions/statements, please post.

One thing that leans me toward a seed implant is the fact that it is a one day procedure and you go home, and there is no cutting.
A question about the preparation: Did the Doctor do the mapping the same day just before the implant or was it done a day or week before. One clinic that I am aware of uses a method called "Interoperative Seed Tracking" which states that a more accurate placing of the seeds is achieved. It is done just before Implant.

Thanks again for your help. Keep up the good work, we all know that it takes time, but we surely do appreciate it. Toby
Posted 4/16/2007 6:12 PM (GMT 0)

Toby:

We've been where you are and you will get through this.  Just being informed is half the battle.  My husband's doctor (a female if it makes any difference) was very thorough and worked with an excellent team.  His mapping was done prior to his surgery but I know it was more than one day prior.

The prep is actually harder than the surgery.  You really have to be "cleaned out" prior to surgery so if you can make it through that process you laughing, really.  Nerves play a natural part in that process so just go with the flow (no pun intended).

You might want to look into something called an air cushion - it's different from the rubber ring but very comfortable - it's like a pocket coil mattress and moves with you - worth looking into.

There will always be horror stories and someone will always try to tell you there's a better way of doing something but only you know what your personal circumstances are and why seeding may be the best for YOU.  Don't let anyone talk you out of your decision.  Everyone thought surgery was best for my husband because the prostate is out - gone - done.  Not quite so easy for us because of the location of the tumour so surgery is NOT for everyone - we're just thankful there was an alternative and we didn't hear - sorry, nothing we can do for you.

I'm blessed to have found this forum, it's served me well on many occasions and if I can give back half of what I've received, I'll be happy.

JustJulie

Posted 4/16/2007 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
THANKS JULIE, I JUST GOT HOME AND WANTED TO REPLY AS SOON AS I COULD.
MORE LATER, IF I COME UP WITH ANY CONSTRUCTIVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
TAKE CARE, TOBY
Posted 4/27/2007 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi ~ Wiggyann,   Our thoughts are with you!! And we send our special prayers to you and your husband… I thought I’d go ahead and get this to Julie.   She may have already contacted you.   But ~ I feel better doing this!  We will wait for things to settle down for you and then maybe you can start a New Thread letting us know how things are going.   Sharing your   specifics….. so we can all welcome you to your new forum family members…..   Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers.  In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   Quote from Wiggyann posted on a different thread: Wed: 4-25-2007 Hello, this is wiggyann and my husband is having a seed implant today. it is 3:28 a.m. here and he will have to get up and give himself an enema at 4:00 a.m. We have to be at the hospital at 6:00a.m. and the surgery is at 7:30 a.m. He will go to be prepped a little after six and after the surgery he will be in a central recovery room for an hour and then they will move him to the out-patient recovery for an hour. The nurse told me the other day that he can go home then, if everything is okay. I asked if he had to urinate before he could go home and she told me that this hospital did not require that. My husband is 68 and has never had any kind of surgery, except very minor with a local. He will be put to sleep with anesthetic and is somewhat anxious. I guess I won't see him from a little after 6 a.m. until after 10:00 a.m. when they take him to the second recovery room . I read Just Julie's story and wish I could have emailed her. Our email address is ( edit ) if anyone would like to provide any tips for after surgery and what it will be like for him.   Thank you everyone.   Click here to contact wiggyann Edit: e-mail address will be edited/masked for your security.   Post Edited (bluebird) : 7/25/2007 7:25:12 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 4/27/2007 12:36 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Bluebird and to Wiggyann - take a deep breath and you'll be fine, really.  You will be impressed by your strength during this time.  Be prepared for your husband to be groggy upon his return to recovery and HUNGRY - my husband was starving.

My advice to you is this - if you can stay in the hospital until he has his first urination, do so.  If he has any questions he can then ask the nurse or doctor (i.e. is this supposed to feel like ..., etc.) and be comfortable with their answer - everyone is different and it will be less stressful on you if you both have the comfort and reassurance of a qualified professional.

Use a rubber ring or air cushion - it will save much discomfort.  Do not be afraid of residual bleeding while urinating - things have beenpushed and prodded down there and it will be tender, bruised and some bleeding will occur.  If your doctor didn't tell you, I will - there may be a chance is penis - the entire thing - will turn the colour of an eggplant  - sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn't - do not panic - it's just luck of the draw.

Use the gel packs when needed - ice is hard and the gel packs are just more comfortable.  Lots of fluids and plenty of rest - you will get through this and we're all here for you.

If you have any other questions or just need a shoulder, let me know.

Hugs to both of you,

JustJulie

Posted 4/29/2007 7:11 PM (GMT 0)

Julie

Did you look at HDR?

Thanks

Posted 4/30/2007 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
That treatment was not one we looked at, we researched external beam, brachytherapy and surgery.

We opted for brachytherapy.

 

Posted 6/8/2007 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
TTT
Posted 6/15/2007 2:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hey All:

I just wanted to drop in and let you know that we are just awaiting my husband's most recent bloodwork but the doctor indicated that the way his PSA is dropping, she is hopefull for a PSA score of 0 sooner rather than later!

Hope everyone is keeping well.

JustJulie

Posted 6/15/2007 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
JustJulie - that's the best news to hear! What a reason to celebrate.
Posted 6/15/2007 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Great news JustJulie!!

You are where we all hope to be...

Jim
Posted 6/15/2007 6:46 PM (GMT 0)

We're not quite there yet, but we're (hopefully) well down the path.

You guys are so great - thanks for ALL the support you've provided me!

Posted 7/27/2007 1:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hey ~ Julie,

Please contact me  ~   click here>>>....  bluebird 

Thank you! Lee

Posted 8/16/2007 6:42 PM (GMT 0)

Hey all:

I just wanted to slide in a quick update - my husband's urologist appointment has been pushed back to the beginning of September as the doctor's on holidays at the end of August.  No further news - he's back in the swing of things at work but I'll keep you updated as we progress.

Hugs to all - I'm always thinking of you!

Posted 8/17/2007 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to say thanks for posting all the info about your journey. My husband and I are still researching options, but it looks at this point like he may be heading down the brachytherapy road as well.
Posted 8/17/2007 12:38 PM (GMT 0)

Mikes' Wife:

I'm glad you found some of the information useful.  If you have anything specific you would like answered, there are no holds barred here - ask away - nothing is too embarassing to ask.

Good luck in your journey.

Posted 8/17/2007 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! Good to know you're here. I'm sure we'll have questions along the way.

Ellen
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