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Question for those who have gone through radiation

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 4/9/2008 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi-I am new to this topic but not new to the site. I have been doing alot of reading here and hope to get some information for my husband and myself. I will try and make the introduction short-My husband had surgery in July 2001. His PSA for the next 3 years was running from 0.1 to 0.2. As time went on it continued to rise and now it is at 0.4.

His current doctor said he wouldn't recommend radiation yet until it gets to 1.0. So he decided to go for another opinion. The doctor he chose to see sent him for a Prostacint scan which actually scaned his entire body. It was a 3 hour scan. It showed minor activity in the prostate bed which could be concern for recurrance. The rest of the scan was totally clear.

So it is basically up to him to decide what he wants to do. He had no side effects from the surgery. So I guess my question is for those that did have radiation did you have side effects right away? Were you able to work while having the radiation?

I am pretty sure he will decide to do the radiation and the urologist suggested he do it within 6 months to a year. I tend to agree since there is still some cancerous tissue there why wait until there is a chance it could get out and spread.

I am just looking to find out how everyone's experiences with radiation was.

Thank you

Kim

Posted 4/9/2008 3:45 PM (GMT 0)

Sorry to hear the need for radiation, but sounds like you guys are on top of it!  My father is going through radiation at the moment and is currently working.  He has had a few GI side effects, but they are controlled well with Imodium.  He also has a little fatigue in the afternoons, but is tolerating the treatment well for the most part.  He has three weeks left to go.   The Cancer Centers are typically really good about scheduling times that work well for the patient.  My father's PSA was .05 when he began his treatment.  We figured, if there is any cancer left, why wait for it to spread.  Good luck in your decision making process!

Doting

Posted 4/9/2008 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

I had a positive margin, so I underwent additional radiation therapy within the first year following my surgery.  They started me with hormones two months prior - seems like that will weaken PC cells so they can get zapped better.  I had no problems with the radiation treatments.  Since I'm retired, it was no problem going each day, and it only took 10-15 minutes each.  They will work around your individual schedule.  The hormones have some side effects that can be troubling, but so far, I haven't had a real problem.  I keep active to offset the possible fatigue issue, and try to control my weight.  Libido is lessened, but the choice of ridding myself of the cancer is more important. 

Good luck on your decision and further treatment.

Posted 4/9/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kim,
My experience is fairly close to the other members posted so far. Little to no side effects from the radiation. I may recommend that he also consider a brief stint on hormone therapy before the radiation. This can shrink the cancer before treatment and may help knock it completely down. This would be "Intermittent Hormone Therapy" or IHT and it is something I would have have considered but my doc told me to go two year on the HT before deciding if I wanted to stop the HT. Regardless I did have HT a month before starting radiation.

Tony
Posted 4/9/2008 6:07 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone for your replies..My husband is going for a week diving in the Turks/Caicos islands this weekend and when he gets home has to let the doctor know his decision. I am pretty sure the decision has been made but it is always good to have as much information as possible. I think the doctor was hesitant to do the radiation because he had no side effects from surgery and will most likely have side effects from the radiation.

I am not sure the radiologist or his doctor mentioned hormone therapy but will find out.

Tony- my husband was also 44 when he was diagnosed although it did take a years worth of biopsy's to find it even though his PSA kept rising. I believe it was around 9 at the time of his surgery.

Kim

Posted 4/9/2008 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
  Hi ~ Kim and Loved Ones,   W elcome     to…    ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    “ Special ”    Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER….   POWER takes away the fear.   ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~     Click   on   link   below for important information that will help you ~ help us!!   Welcome New Members ~ to HealingWell   The information (link) listed above is to help you get around the forum!    v        This is a journey best traveled with friends.  Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com   v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       TC-LasVegas ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum   v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg  
Posted 4/9/2008 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey ~ Kim, You're going to find a lot of strength here so hopefully you will stay close and pull from all of us.  In the Welcome Message above it will take you to some great resources... and "a few" of many threads on the forum.  Take the time to read as many as you can.  Pull from those that you feel will help to make your path ahead ~ a smoother walk.  So many have been there and that's what we are all about .  Sharing because we Care.  And Caring Enough to Share. Keeping you close as you continue to research your options. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 4/10/2008 12:20 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you for the nice welcome. I have shown this board to my husband and he has been reading also. I did find out that he does not need hormone therapy because what they saw on the scan is local. He is very nervous about going through radiation so I want to get as much information from others as I can.

bluebird-Both of our sons live in NC. We will be going down in June to visit. I would love to move there!

Posted 4/10/2008 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Kim,

I was real nervous about radiation, and it was really no biggie. I travel a lot in my job-- but I didn't miss a single day of work in 37 sessions of radiation---I just had to be the same place every morning. Its been more than a year, and the side effects are very manageable--- mostly what the others have reported. I was 46 at dx and really wanted to throw everything I could at the cancer.

Tony's right about looking into hormone therapy at the same time--- I was on it for 6 months, but it took another 6 months after that to completely wear off. Improves the odds of a cure! GOOD LUCK!
Posted 4/11/2008 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Kim,

I just finished radiation, IGRT, on the 31 Mar. The side effects are so small and very easy to control.
The one thing I would suggest is go on the BRAT diet one week before the start of radiation.
Click on the link in my Sig. to go to my Journey for what and how I over came my side effects.
Feel free to ask any question that are not covered in my Journey.

Jim
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