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Started Radiation Therapy Today

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Posted 3/2/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)

Well, I am starting my next stage of PC treatment.  My treatment today took much longer today than going forward.  They had to perform measurements and get the equipment set up.  They took X-ray’s to make sure that my skeletal structure was in the correct place, etc.

I was a little surprised that when they actually started the radiation treatment that they don’t just shoot the radiation in just one place.  My treatment includes seven positions that they shoot the radiation for each treatment.  My understanding is that this provides a much better coverage of the treated area and at the same time it limits the radiation impacts to the other good tissue.

I am hoping that this solves the problem for good.

In reading some of the other posts, like from David, I still have some concerns, but I will try to keep positive as we continue down this road.

It is nice that we have this place to share.

Ted.

Posted 3/2/2011 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Ted,

Good luck to you as you start your SRT. The machine I was on also stopped 7 times, I use to lay on the table with my eyes closed and time each rotation. After 39 days, you get that down to a science.

While what happened to me was rare and in the lines of an exception, don't let it distract you from your treatments. Your are starting yours at about the same point in your PSA as I did, but you made it over 3 years after your surgery as opposed to my nine months, so hopefully you will do well, and that the radiation will finish off your cancer.

While being treated, if anything feels different or doesnt seem right, do not hesitate to make the operators and your radiation oncologist know immediately.

Let us know how you do through out your treatments.

David in SC
Posted 3/2/2011 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Ted,

Welcome to the path of glowing patients. OK, bad joke. But at least once I got the water bomb under control it was manageable.

Keep us up to date.

Posted 3/3/2011 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your comments and well wishes.
Posted 3/3/2011 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Ted

Best of luck with the treatment

Ray

Posted 3/3/2011 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Ted,

I see that Happy is the last bullit point in your signature. May it be there for many many years to come. Best of luck with the treatment.

Mike

Posted 3/3/2011 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Ted, aren't you glad that they turn the machine around you, rather than us around it, like a rotisserie chicken in the deli? devil
Posted 3/3/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
James,

At least for me, "rotating" would have had a secondary problem - bladder full, bladder empty shakehead

My first few days were "problematic".

Ted, hope all is going well.

Posted 3/3/2011 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Ted, here's hoping that all things with Rad go well for you and there are no complications.

Many of us who went thru RAD either ADJ or SRT suffered no ill effects at all. Personally my own path took about 20 minutes per treatment and the only effects I had were a little urgency issues that last couple of weeks and they didn't last long.

I think if a poll/study were conducted you would find that the majority would fall into the "No ILL Effects from Treatment" category.

Best of luck to you,

Sonny
Posted 3/3/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
My IMRT stopped in 9 positions and zapped me from 5-9 times in each position. As a result, I did not get any burn on the skin. My side effects were minimal and completely cleared about two weeks after I finished.

I suggest that you avoid caffene and acids as they will tend to make urinary side effects worse. I went from coffee and orange juice to green tea and V8 juice. I will not go back to the caffene and acid. Also my doc put me on Flomax for the radiation as well.

Remember, full bladder and empty bowel. I had a 20 minute drive to the center and usually a 15 minute wait, so a 16 ounce water during the drive was just right.
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