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Last IMRT treatment tomorrow

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Posted 7/31/2009 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Well I'm finally down to the last salvage RT treatment.  I logged about 7,000 miles in 71/2 weeks in the process (180 miles per day) but now I can sit back and rest.  No major side effects.  Most of them were kept under control with Immodium-D and Flomax.  A little fatigue but that is probably from the drive.  One thing I can recommend againts fatigue. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!!!!  I swam everyday, rode my bike and walked the dog.  Really made a difference.  Thanks to some of the forum members who gave me good advice as what to expect prior to starting.  it was appreciated.  Now I have to wait three months for my PSA. Surgery was a smart choice in my particular case.  The positive margin gives me a better chance of cure if it is still in the prostate bed.  Well if it isn't, I still have another arrow in my quiver (ADT).  If anyone is contemplating IMRT and needs any more info about my experience, you can e-mail me.  It is in my profile.
Posted 7/31/2009 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Bootheel, depending on the results of my next psa on August 11th, may take you up on your offer, as I may very well need to start salvage radition. Right now, the issue is getting this current bladder neck blockage fixed. Hope you continue to do so well.

David in SC
Posted 7/31/2009 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Great news!
-- IMRT and all you have out of it is a dead cancer (we hope) and a dog ready for the Olympics.
Posted 7/31/2009 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Great news Boot. I remember my last IMRT and man was it exciting. I pray you never have to go the ADT3 route but if you do like you said it is out there. Start writing that next chapter in life and make it a happy one.

peace and love
dale
Posted 7/31/2009 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Boot,
How does it feel to know that you just had a nuclear reaction going on in your prostate? I've got 4 more treatments. The only hard part was drinking 32 oz of water then driving home. I keep a plastic jug in the car and have used it more than once.
Lots of luck on your PSAs.
JT
Posted 7/31/2009 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
John,

Why 32 oz? The radiation oncologist I met with recently said that the most would be a half liter, thats about 16.9 oz I think. And sometimes I don't get the obvious. what is the bottle for in your car?

david in sc
Posted 7/31/2009 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hey bootheel,

Congratulations on your last salvage RT! It is nice to see the light at the end of the trouble.

We'll be here watching that PSA go down with you.

Best regards,

Barry
Posted 7/31/2009 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Nice job, Boot,
Your story mirrors mine except that I drove 7 miles to and fro. But after each treatment I walked 3 miles. My treatments were at 7:00am and after the walk, I was at my home office by 9:15. I was with a new employer that allowed me the time to get this completed and that was amazing to me. it wasn't until after my treatments that I started feeling extra energy. But that was proof that the fatigue I felt was so gradual and small it was no big deal. I will have my 5th follow up visit to the RO tomorrow. Year two post radiation is complete.

Happy healing...Stay well and enjoy your future zeros...

Tony
Posted 7/31/2009 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear you are finishing your treatments, none the less for wear.... smilewinkgrin I hope your future contains nothing but PSA tests and zero results...
Posted 7/31/2009 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
David,
The 32 oz is the rad oncologist's protocol. I've heard anything from 14 to 22 oz in other posts. He drew me a picture of the prostate and bladder and said that the fuller the bladder the less radiation it gets. A full bladder gets about 25% radiated whereas a 1/2 full bladder may get 40%. It sounded reasonable to me.

After drinking 32 oz you have to pee alot. I pee before leaving the office and I usually have to pee again about 2 miles from my house; sometimes I can make it other times I can't, hence the plastic jug. I'm back to normal urination in about 2 hours.
JT
Posted 7/31/2009 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
John, guess each doctor does things a little different, perhaps it makes a difference with one's bladder size. And now it is obvious what the empty bottle was for. Really had me puzzled there.

I will be glad for you when you are all done with yours. I still can't contemplate beginning radiation if needed with this blockages. But I guess one thing at a time.

David in SC
Posted 8/1/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Ohio, thanks for the concern. That is one reason why I chose to slow down the rush for them wanting me to have radiation at this point. My next PSA (and I chose this mark in the sand) is on August 11th. Which will be 9 months from surgery, 6 weeks from my last PSA test. We are still looking at post surgery PSA's of .05, .10, and .11. I will probably seek all kinds of advice, here and in my medical community. The radiation clinic was just too eager acting to push me into with these PSA numbers. Not saying I won't do it, but I really really want to know that I am doing the right thing at the right time. Unfortantely, this latest blockage came out of no where, so its the more critical of my needs. I understand, but don't know first hand, that radiation tends to cause urinary restrictions and potential blockages.

David in SC
Posted 8/1/2009 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
PS Ohio State, my very well take you up on your offer, the resources in my immediate area are slim compared to some major metro area.
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