Back from my first HDR brachytherapy treatment

I now don't have to guess what the procedure is like.

I'd be happy to discuss the procedure with anyone. In general, it was fairly low on pain, and I'm very happy with my decision. There are two more days of treatment over the next 4 weeks, and then 3 months before I get my next PSA test, so I guess I won't know for a while what the outcome will be, but I'm optimistic. The oncology group I chose does a lot of these and is just publishing a paper with 7-year results for their clients with intermediate PCa like mine who chose HDR monotherapy. At 7 years it shows 95% with no chemically detectable cancer. I got a preview today since it won't be officially available until next week. Once it becomes available, I'll share the data if anyone wants.

I will also let you know if I experience ugly side effects. I fully expect some ED issues, but they should be treatable. I've learned more about that from this forum than anywhere else in all my research.

I'm extremely grateful to all of you here that have helped me better understand options, posted your results, answered questions, and just participated. I'm often amazed at the positive attitudes and strength of will and character I see here. Great forum with wonderful people. Thank you!

I don't want to "sell" anyone on the procedure or the treatment center I chose, but I'd love to return the favors received by giving information and opinions to anyone who wants them.

My best wishes to all of you.

Greg

Hey Greg,

  Congrats and yes this forum is a great resource. I had the procedure done twice and I too was impressed with the latest technology in the fight against PC. I'm not sure how different your procudeure was from mine, but I was pretty fortunate to avoid any major complications from mine. Please do update us on your progress.

Here's a summary of my procedure.

http://www3.islandtelecom.com/gkavanagh/MyBrachyProcedure.pdf

Thanks guys. Here's a next-morning report:

With 17 catheters inserted through the perineum into the prostate, that area is certainly sore. I have some swelling, and use an icepack for 15 minutes every 2 hours to reduce swelling. I took a pain med and an ambien sleep aid last night and slept just great.

Pain is much lower this morning. I seem to be able to walk just fine, it's sitting when it hurts and under NO conditions can I sit on a hard chair. I'm beginning to believe cushy recliners were invented just for prostate patient recovery. Leaning back lets me take the pressure off and the extra cushioning is wonderful. Spouse will drive me home some time today (5 hours) so I'll try a doughnut shaped pillow.

Had some intestinal cramps late in the process yesterday but that calmed down once I was able to walk around. They make you clear everything completely out 12-24 hours before the process (liquid diet, 2 enemas - what joy!) and I don't know how long it all starts again once you start back on solid food. Not yet, anyway.

The only major side effect so far is urinary. Urgency is very high, and peeing hurts more than I thought it would, especially at the beginning. I can tell I need to go when the pain starts, and I'm always a little wet by then and dribbling by the time I get positioned to go. Not sure what to do about this yet, but it's only supposed to last a couple days. We'll see. The doc gave me a urinal to carry for the drive home and a Flowmax prescription. Never thought I'd be grateful for adult diapers but PCa has changed my view on a lot of things.

There's still some blood in the urine. They said there was a lot of it yesterday when they flushed out the bladder and removed the bladder catheter. I'm not worried as they say this is normal, and again should go away quickly. The biggest concern from both my oncologist and urologist is the potential for bladder blockage, so I'll watch for that.

I have no interest right now in trying to see if there is ED. All things in their own time.

Tip of the penis is very sensitive and tender. I suppose that's from the catheter. Having it removed was both strange and a little embarrassing. In addition to having another man playing around with those parts, I started my own private fountain. Still, after all the things I went through yesterday with my legs in stirrups, everything exposed, my "boys" being taped out of the way, and the nurse putting in the catheter, I guess I just don't really care about the modesty issues anymore when it comes to health care. Cancer eradication is sooooo much more important.

In addition to Flowmax, I'll be using 3 days worth of Cipro after each of the 3 treatments.

I don't know if any of this is useful to anyone here, but I learned so much from other people's stories I hope this might help someone sometime.

syzygy51 said...
Thanks guys. Here's a next-morning report:

With 17 catheters inserted through the perineum into the prostate, that area is certainly sore. I have some swelling, and use an icepack for 15 minutes every 2 hours to reduce swelling. I took a pain med and an ambien sleep aid last night and slept just great.

Pain is much lower this morning. I seem to be able to walk just fine, it's sitting when it hurts and under NO conditions can I sit on a hard chair. I'm beginning to believe cushy recliners were invented just for prostate patient recovery. Leaning back lets me take the pressure off and the extra cushioning is wonderful. Spouse will drive me home some time today (5 hours) so I'll try a doughnut shaped pillow.

Had some intestinal cramps late in the process yesterday but that calmed down once I was able to walk around. They make you clear everything completely out 12-24 hours before the process (liquid diet, 2 enemas - what joy!) and I don't know how long it all starts again once you start back on solid food. Not yet, anyway.

The only major side effect so far is urinary. Urgency is very high, and peeing hurts more than I thought it would, especially at the beginning. I can tell I need to go when the pain starts, and I'm always a little wet by then and dribbling by the time I get positioned to go. Not sure what to do about this yet, but it's only supposed to last a couple days. We'll see. The doc gave me a urinal to carry for the drive home and a Flowmax prescription. Never thought I'd be grateful for adult diapers but PCa has changed my view on a lot of things.

There's still some blood in the urine. They said there was a lot of it yesterday when they flushed out the bladder and removed the bladder catheter. I'm not worried as they say this is normal, and again should go away quickly. The biggest concern from both my oncologist and urologist is the potential for bladder blockage, so I'll watch for that.

I have no interest right now in trying to see if there is ED. All things in their own time.

Tip of the penis is very sensitive and tender. I suppose that's from the catheter. Having it removed was both strange and a little embarrassing. In addition to having another man playing around with those parts, I started my own private fountain. Still, after all the things I went through yesterday with my legs in stirrups, everything exposed, my "boys" being taped out of the way, and the nurse putting in the catheter, I guess I just don't really care about the modesty issues anymore when it comes to health care. Cancer eradication is sooooo much more important.

In addition to Flowmax, I'll be using 3 days worth of Cipro after each of the 3 treatments.

I don't know if any of this is useful to anyone here, but I learned so much from other people's stories I hope this might help someone sometime.

 

 

That brings back memories......thinking back, it was the pee burning that I hated the most....so far everything sounds routine......I wish I had this forum access when I went through my post procedures.....good luck!