Radaition treatments done

Today was the day. I finished my radiation treatments this morning and then my wife and I drove over to the coast for a celebration breakfast at our favorite breakfast place.

Still have a week or two for the side effects to go away and I am hoping for a quick recovery from this little trip. So far the effects haven't been as bad as I feared. Fatigue is the worst that hit me. Part of that was having to get up at 5:30 am each morning to be at the clinic by 7:00 and part of it was just the emotional roller coaster PC takes you on. I also think the radiation did add to that as well. Other side effects I had were, increased urination frequency, hemorrhoids, nausea and some loss of appetite. Could have been much worse and I think I got out off easy.

The clinic had a fun way to end the treatments - when I came out of the treatment room the techs were all there (ringing little cow bells) and they hand me a certificate of completion tied up with a ribbon. I have to say that the staff at this clinic were very good and really took care of me. I really appreciated the last question the discharge nurse asked me, "Is there anything we could have done better, especially when you first started?"

Now comes the waiting part. I go back to the Uro in June for my PSA test. Until then I'll just be hoping the RO is right in his prediction that he is 98% sure we got it all in this one treatment. In fact he was so sure that when I asked what the next step would be if that didn't work he said, "We have options but let's talk about that after the PSA test." I had the feeling he wasn't putting me off because he was late for golf but because he truly thinks I am done and won't need other options.

I've taken the day off work and my next celebration active is to go out in to the shop to work on some serving trays I am making.

Andrew

Great Job!! We are begining week 3 so looking forward to the end point!

Congrats, InTheShop. I know how you feel having them done. Felt the same way. We also went and celebrated when it was over. I did not have as many side effects as you, but the worse for me was 44 drives of 84 miles round trip. Most all my side effects are gone with the exception of my hemorriods. They are under control and not as big, but still care for them daily as they easily swell now.

You made it! I predict your side effects will all fade away. I understand the anxiety of waiting for those test results now. My husband was one of those who had a steep drop at the first PSA draw, but we decided just to be glad it went down!

Enjoy your time relaxing in the shop!

Juliet

Thanks for all the kind words. I am really hoping I only need the one treatment and hopefully I'll be feeling so good and so busy in the shop that I won't notice the time going by.

@gleason6: I know what you mean but when I compare my experience with other men that I know and read about I am feeling good that I haven't had some of the nastier problems. Also I managed to work throughout the treatment with only 3 days off.

@Joko - I wonder if I should change my profile name on this forum? Yup- my body is out of that shop and into one where I control the tools. :)

@rollydog - it's a bit of a grind but you'll make it through. There will be some days that you'll just like to forget about. All you can do is stick with the plan.

Good for you Andrew. Maybe I missed it, but did your Rad. Onc. say more radiation is possible after your first treatment? If so, hope it's not needed, of course. Good luck, Bert

Oh, that makes more since. IMRT & seeds later. Gotcha. Best of luck to you again. Let's hope you are done with the treatments.