SRT 20 of 39 - Halfway There

End of my 4th week of IMRT treatments, Friday's always the hardest for me and today proved no different.  Treatment was about 25 minutes which is pretty good for my crew.  Today they showed me the details of how they do the "snap shot" instant x-ray pictures they take at each treatment, some more neat gear.

Same as before, when the machine zaps in the 6th pos, immediately felt heat and pain at the SP exit.  Also in the 4th position, which is right directly over me, the last two days zap has produced penis pain at that point.  Again, my operators claim innocence and act as if it were my imagination.  Going to get my URO to speak to the Rad Oncolog after I meet with both of them Monday.

I just want to make sure I am safe.  If it is a question of sensitivity and pain, I can deal with that  for 4 more weeks, just want to be positive that I am not in any danger.  One of those times you have to be pro-active.

THey had to help me sit up straight again, was that weak feeling and on the way home, had my worse wave of nausea since this nonsense began.  Still feel queasy while resting back at home.

For all the guys that have no reaction to side effects with RT or SRT, I applude you and you can thank your lucky stars.  But if you get into the subject, there are plenty of men and women that have very ill effects with radiation.  While my current stories might not sound too good to readers here, I assure you, that this is nothing compared to the horrific RT I had 10 years ago when it was in my neck and throat, and they weren't using IMRT.  This is mild compared to that event.

Just want to get through with this part, and it sure better work!

David in SC

Thanks Brother Sonny, definitely passed over the hump of the mountain today. It was hard to be too serious there today, as all the staff were dressed up to some degree for Halloween. The woman that greeted me, was done up just like Pippi Longstocking, complete with real long braids that pointed up to the ceiling.

I didnt get any candy, however. :(

Half way there! 3/4ths way is your next milestone!

Larry

Hi David,

I've been following your RT bouts day by day and I'm sorry that you are having a bit of a time with it. Just happy for you that you are over the hump and that the end of RT is in sight. Just hope that the last few sessions will be tolerable for you. Looking forward to hearing from you that your PSA is zero and that you are cancer free in just a few short weeks.

All the best to you.

Magaboo

Hey David,

I am pleased that you have passed 1/2 way on this journey. Now you can begin counting backwards to zero.

The weekend is here and it is time to chill out and relax. Take some time for yourself and enjoy whatever relaxes you and takes your mind off the treatments.

Sure hope you get some answers on the pain and burning next week.

Keep well,
Regards,
Bill

David,
Hang in there, buddy, you'll be done soon. Had my 3rd today and I was in at 3:02 and walked out of the building at 3:19. Cool. No traffic probllems getting home in 18 minutes, and the weekend for golf and goblins. The facility I go to treats between 40 and 50 men per day and only treats PC. Staff is friendly and extremely efficient. Talked to the fellow running the machine and he said that it initially cost 3.2 million, and an upgrade several months ago ran nearly 500 grand. I guess our insurance is paying for this impressive piece of apparatus.
My treatment time has been moved up to 2:10pm, which is great. I can come home for lunch at noon, take a 30 minute nap, then drive to the office which is about 20 minutes away. I got lucky. I hope this streak continues.

Get well,
Bob

My friend David, Over the hump and looking at the finish line. We are with you in spirit.

Jeff T

Last night was a rough night, didnt get much sleep. Woke up around 1 AM, with a lot of steady pain that ran from the end of my penis and through my rectum. I was bleeding a lot in my catheter bag all Friday afternoon and evening, more than normal. I had to stop taking Advil for the pain, as that can make bleeding worse, so I took a Loratab. I think it wired me up, because after I woke up with the pain, not sure I went back to sleep until nearly dawn. The last couple of Friday nights after a week of radiation have been the hardest for me. This was very similar to what I went through last week at this time.

Those last 4 weeks of radiation won't be able to be over soon enough as far as I am concerned.

Today, Saturday, just a lot of heavy fatiuge, just going out to have lunch with my mother wore me out, and later went to my oldest son's house to see the grand kids in their halloween custumes, I spend a good part of my time at his house just laid out on his sofa.

Back home resting.

Thanks Franchot

Last night was a trade off, I had a lot of pains, so I swtiched back to Advil, so that I didnt have to feel more constipated from the loratab, but woke up this morning to a dark and bloody catheter bag. Emptied and cleaned that, but busily looking pink even as I type.

If all takes place tommorw (busy day for me), by the end of the day, I will have my 21st zap, will have met with my Radiation Oncologist, and talked to my Uro/surgeon and he is suppose to be swapping out this month old SP catheter for a new one, and drugging me up heavily with demoral and shoving the scope up me for the 7th time this year, and doing another hard dialation on my urethra/bladder neck connection. He is determined to keep it opened throughout the radiation process, so that eventually (sounds a long way off to me) I will be cath free again and able to pee on my own. I sure don't want another corrective surgery, already had 3 this year alone.

Least there is football today to distract me, if nothing else, its good eye candy for a few hours.

 

Sorry to hear the treatments are so tough thank god you are on the other side.  I will probably be joining you soon on the radiation journey just waiting to see what happens on the 16th one more jump and thats it.  I almost wish I did not have such a good path report so I would feel a little better that it could be a local recurrance. 

The good news no more burning and played tennis this morning 2 sets and did not have to stop to go to the bathroom.  Fist time in a year usually have to leave the court 3 or 4 times.

Hang in there it is almost over.

Jerry1