Had the brachytherapy on 6/12. Doin' fine.

I already posted one comment dealing with the wonders of prostate biopsies.  I've had five total, with a grand total of 92 needle pokes.  44 in the last one.  Of the 44, one came up with "adneocarcinoma in the right mid".  Gleason of 3 + 3 = 6.  Confined to the prostate.

My PSA has been creeping slowly upwards (around 7.2--7.6 most recently) for the past four years, hence the biopsies.

I had hoped to get into the HIFU study my urologist is participating in.  But, the HIFU pathologists said my Gleason was 7, not 6.  Consequently, I didn't qualify.  Studies like this work best if you eliminate the patients who might get a bad result.

Discussing the remaining alternatives, I was somewhat surprised when my urologist suggested seed implant rather than prostatectomy.  I wasn't really enthralled with the surgery to begin with, and I had already decided on the seed implant route.  I figured if it doesn't get the job done, I can still get the prostatectomy.

At age 59, I have a few additional issues including hypertension and diabetes, both are well controlled.

Frankly, I'm not really suffering any major anxiety about the disease.  The treatments are what I dislike and get anxious about.  At the present time, 10:05 a.m. on June 8, I still do my job everyday and continue with my normal activities.

Anyway, the procedure is scheduled for next Tuesday.

I suspect I'll have some time on my hands after that so I'll be back to relate my experience.

You may want to look at Cesium-131 for the seeds. They have a half life of 10 days instead of 58. They got FDA approval 3 years ago not a lot of docs are aware of them. I'm having HDR mono on 7/19 this is a temp seed implant..Do check out the 131  . carl  

http://www.cesium131.com/regionalMap.htm

In response to the suggestions, the train has left the station.

Seed implant is the only procedure my rad-onc does.  I'm going to defer to his expertise and judgement on the best type of seed for me.  He's dealt with a lot of prostate cancer, as has my urologist, I haven't.  They will both be performing the procedure, and both are associated with the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Centennial Medical Center here in Nashville.

I've worked in healthcare for 37 years.  I made my physican, treatment, and facility choices very carefully, after substantial research and recommendations of physicians I know and respect.  I am confident of the outcome (and the razor pee for a couple of days!).

I appreciate your concern and the suggestions.

Whoo hooo - sounds like things are going well.  Flomax is a saviour - great medication.  The other one I might suggest is something called Nupercainal - it's like Prep H but stronger.  The oncologist recommended it for my husband - you have to ask for it over the counter, it's not readily on the shelf - it's not prescription strength but high enough that you have to ask for it from the Pharmacist.

Glad to hear things are going well - welcome to Recovery Road.

JustJulie

Hey rek:

If the Nupercainal doesn't work - ask your doctor for prescription Anusol - that has to be issued by a doctor but relief is worth the trip to the doctor.

Continues good wishes for a smooth trip down recovery road.

JustJulie

  I'm back after a small hiatus.

Rek,

  Good luck with your therapy. You're right about this site - if the folks here don't know just about everything there is to know about PC, then it isn't worth knowing. I had my brachytherapy on May 22, 2007. Thirty catheters placed by my uro and 101 I-125 Iodine seeds placed by the radonc. Entire procedure took less than an hour. Pulled the catheter at the surgi-center, urinated on my own, lost some blood and one seed. They said see you in three months for your first PSA test. First three days went pretty smoothly - razor blade pee for first three or four. This subsided and, other than frequent awakening at night (every 2-2 1/2 hours), I felt pretty good. However, over the weekend, I developed a severe case of epididymitis, an inflammation or infection of the long coiled tube behind the testicles, called the epididymis. Monday, morning I went into panic mode and wound up taking and ambulance ride to the ER. Blood pressure was sky high, so EMT's thought maybe stroke or heart attack. No to both. So, they put my on an antibiotic for ten days and it cleared. Called my radonc who said some patients do experience that problem after Brachy. (That wasn't one of the side-effects mentioned during the initial interviews.) I've had a vasectomy and seem to remember this similar pain some years ago. So, perhaps folks who have had a vasectomy are at greater risk in developing this epididymitis. Maybe someone on this form has had a similar problem and can share with us. So, now I'm on an aniexty/anti-depressant, Lexapro, to keep my from wigging out. Any one out there develop any aniexty or depression after Brachy knowing we're playing a waiting game with the PSA's?

Good luck again Rek and Walt and stay on this forum. It helps keep you calm.

I've been on an antibiotic since the procedure.  (I have to tell you that I have not had a surgical procedure in the  last 20 years where I wasn't sent home with a broad-spectrum antibiotic.)  I take the last one tomorrow morning.  I've been fortunate that I only had razor pee on the day the catheter came out.  Nothing since then, knock on wood.

I drink a lot of water everyday since I am diabetic.  Last night, after talking with my uro's nurse, I catheterized myself before going to bed, and didn't get up to pee once.  I can't recall the last time that happened in my life--it's been a long, long time.  I know we all cringe at sticking a long rubber tube up our penises.  All I can say is that it does get easier with time and the sense of relief is well worth the "horror" of doing it.  Just my opinion.

It's hard for me to evaluate the anti-depressent issue.  I've been on Welbutrin and Lexapro for years due to my bipolar issues (never hospitalized--just mood swings).  I have been wondering if the antidepressents are contributing to my amazing degree of calm about having PC?  It's either that or the fact that I had been anticipating the diagnosis for six years of elevated PSAs and four years of negative biopsies.

I have found this forum to be extremely helpful and I will remain for the forseeable future.