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Journey Phase II - Salvage Radiation

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Posted 4/11/2008 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Well the past 3 weeks have brought a few more follow up doctor appointments to validate my PSA after it decided to make a reappearance after two undetectable readings following surgery in January of 07. The decision has been made to begin salvage radiation begining this Monday April, 14 2008 after my last PSA stood at .4. My doctors feel optimistic of my chances that this plan of action can address this rising PSA. They feel this way because of my post surgery pathology report looked good with no other involvement outside the prostate and it was contained. They had warned me this was possible because there was an area that it had spread to the margin but not escaped. I don't take anything for granted but feel very lucky to have found out I have this cancer when I did and have been able to take the action I have to date. They tell me if it truly is microscopic cells left behind in the prostate bed area, and they hit the right spot my outcome should be good but it's if it's really there and they hit it and only time will tell.

I begin 36 week day treatments this Monday and will begin a new weekly up-date so those facing this same situation can see how this next phase treats me. I look forward to getting this next stage started and completed and I know it can and will be sucessful. They also told me it could take as long as 6 to 12 months to really know if the treatment was a success as in some cases it takes that long for the PSA to drop to undetectable and that's what they want to see.

I am still a lucky guy for many reasons, great family, friends, co-workers and the caring folks that provide support on this site, thank you all.

Norskie

Posted 4/11/2008 3:25 AM (GMT 0)

Good luck to you.

I will find out in a few weeks if radiation is in my near future, as well.

Posted 4/11/2008 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi norskie,

First let me tell you that I am sorry that your PSA didn't stay at 'undetectable'. Sure hope that the follow up treatment will do the trick for you. As you can see by my signature, my PSA was <.04 for over one year, Then at the last test it came back as =.04. I'll find out at my next check up if it is definitely going up. If it is, it will most likely mean follow up radiation for me as well. So, needless to say, I'm very interested in your saga and will follow your progress very closely. Thanks for keeping us informed. Perhaps it will make it a bit easier for us that follow your footsteps.

Magaboo

Posted 4/11/2008 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you Norski. I'll be following yr updates w/ my fingers crossed for all the best to you!

-p&me

Posted 4/11/2008 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Norskie,
I read your words and they hit me pretty well. I know your feelings probably right now. I will be thinking of you and want you to know that this road you are travelling ain't one that can take away those beautiful words you just said. Just a year and a half ago saying I was lucky to go this road might have convinced me to get a different kind of help. But I know what you are saying. I too am a lucky man. Lucky to have found that these friends, my family, and even this wonderful place in the cyber world. You, me, Magaboo, DanMan, and way too many others,,,I am very glad I know you guys. Thank you guys all for lifting me up. It's my turn to send it back. My EM is always open to you, and if I can help even a little, I will.

My prayers for this club at this site are real and always with you.



Tony

Posted 4/11/2008 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hey ~Norskie, You are surrounded by so much positive energy and you radiate it back to us! Thank you for touching base and keeping close as another stone is placed in your path.   You’ll step on it and continue to move forward just like you did with the first stone.   Thank you for sharing the new results and staying close! Keeping you extra close and you’ll feel our strength! Hugs from Lee & Buddy
Posted 4/11/2008 5:38 AM (GMT 0)

Norskie

Good luck with your further treatment.  My only question is, are you also undergoing some hormone therapy at the same time?   My docs had me on hormones for two months prior to radiation, and I'm continuing for a total of two years.  They say that the hormones will help weaken the cancer cells so the radiation will do the best. 

This is one reason I feel strongly about surgery as the first therapy.  Radiation is a second option to kill anything that is still there.  I had no problems with the radiation sessions, and minor side effects with the hormones.  Good luck - we're here for you.

Posted 4/11/2008 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
please keep us posted Norskie as to how this radiation works for you. This battle can be tough and lonely at times. I have found amazing strength in my spirituality and helping others couping with this monster. I pray that your battle will be a success and we will all be discussing this many years from now. Remember life is good when you are livin a dream, so dream big my friend and live life.
Posted 4/11/2008 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Norskie, I will have to echo the other posters and wish you success on your upcoming radiation program...I had 35 treatments and had no problems with them. I am in agreement with Hawkfan though, if you're not on Hormone Therapy I would ask my docs why not??? It seems that the most widely recognized protocol for a failed surgery (psa not below undetectable levels) is to begin ADT treatment immediately and stay on that for at least two years. Then as soon as you are mostly continent start you on your rad treatments....I know that's been my protocol as well as Tonys and also many others on this forum....just something to think about and recheck with your doc about. Good luck in your journey...jwb.
Posted 4/11/2008 3:36 PM (GMT 0)

Norskie-

Sorry to hear the need for radiation, but I have all the faith that you will breeze through it.  My father is currently undergoing adjuvant radiation and has two weeks to go.  His POA was 8 weeks, because they radiated the pelvic lymph node area as well.  He had a couple weeks of diarrhea, but now his session are only ten minutes and he is cruising through and happy as can be!  We will be thinking about you on Monday.  May the road be easy!

Posted 4/12/2008 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Norski,
I too am sorry to hear of your need for follow up radiation. You have my best wishes for your continuing and successful treatment. Keep us posted.
Bill
Posted 4/12/2008 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
DanmanBob, Magaboo, P&me, Tony, Bluebird, Hawkfan, Livinadream, Jwb and Doting Daugher thanks for all your words of support and encouragement. One of the reasons I am so optimistic is from following the journey's that many of you have already completed and are doing so well give me great hope. I just hope that I can do the same for others to know that all is not lost becasue of this hurdle placed in front of us in the journey of life.
Hawkfan and JBL I did inquire about Hormone Therapy at two different centers. I did this from following both of your journey's and many others as well, there is that help that this site offers. First I met with the Radiation and Oncology specalists at the cancer center at UW Hospital and clinics and they felt I did not need to be subjected to Hormone Therapy and radiation alone would be just as effective. They then recomended another center closer to my home for me to have my 36 treatments. Again I asked the radition and oncology doctor about Hormone Therapy and he too said based on my pathology report he didn't see any advantage and radiation gave me as good a chance of a cure. It appears they feel odds are it is localized and as the last doctor told if it is there and he hit's it and my PSA returns to 0 he has had only had one patient have his PSA return and he has been treating for 28 years. I feel they are both good cancer centers and it does get confusing as what one doctor or center recomends over another but I felt when both concured that it must be the right decision at this time, but it does make me wonder why there is so much differenance of opinion. I guess I have put my faith in thier hands and they both agreed, time will tell and I hope and pray they and I have not made a mistake.
Again thanks to you all and I will begin documenting this next phase of treatments for all to follow and gain hope and information. Rest assured if I run into some side affects you will be hearing from me, I can't express enough my appreciation for your offering to help and talk. The same goes for any of you if I can help in any way.

Norskie
Posted 4/12/2008 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Norskie,
I don't think it's possible to make any mistakes. Becasue the entire medical community cannot arrive at a logical treatment path for where we are, you have to go with what you have learned. And you have done well to involve more than one doctor. So did I. My logic was if it's so soon after surgery and we are not confirmed stage IV that irradiation with HT was logical. The only question I had left was whether I should have added chemotherapy adjuvantly. Well. I don't know. And the studies that might have told me are not available. Thank you for taking the path you have taken. We have our own little HealingWell study underway. Here's results thus far: After one year I am in remission. I used standard protocol with off protocol radiation. The one year study is good. Let's see year two, three, four, etc.  I am not going to look back and see that I should have added the chemotherapy and call it a mistake that I didn't. 

Tony
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