IMRT Preparation Suggestions

Hemorrhoids - that is what hit me. Bring wipes, cream, suppositories to treat that. and extra underwear just in case.

The treatments aren't that hard to do. The daily routine can get a bit mind numbing. The worst of the symptoms don't show up for awhile. I was into my third week before I noticed anything. Fatigue was the worst part of it for me.

I'd suggest that you plan to bring along things and make plans that will keep your spirits up and give you something positive to do while waiting for the daily routine to start/end. Plan for daily exercise, even if it is just a short walk. Bring favorite movies, music, books, etc that you know are relaxing and comforting. I'd research the area you are going and plan a few half day activities - shows, site seeing, etc. Make it fun, distracting and flexible. There will be good days and bad days. Be ready to do something nice on a good day but be able to cancel a plan if it is a bad day.

My trip through the radiation was more about keeping my spirit and mind healthy. It didn't hit my body nearly as hard as I feared it would.
Just my thoughts.
All the best for a successful outcome,
Andrew

Each day have a full bladder and an empty bowel before getting on the table. My docs put me on Flomax to ease any urinary issues and suggested I keep some Immodium D with me.......I never needed it.

I really didn't have much in the way of side effects, just some urinary and bowel increased frequency. I did not have any fatigue. I did exercise regularly, reduced animal meat and fat, eliminated all caffine, and drank lots of water and green tea.

He will also need to learn how to hold his breath and not move for 15 minutes!!!

If I recall, MsWorryWart said they were using a balloon. That may make having a very full bladder less of a critical item.

Ditto on the metamucil - it's good stuff for regulation. I have had colitis in the past and was very worried about it flaring up - but I never had that problem. Needed to get up at night several times to pee about halfway through. The biggest problem for me was fatigue - it was pretty bad after the 2nd week. It lasted until several weeks after treatments stopped. My diary is online on the thread here:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1866934
It the link doesn't work, search for "My SRT Thread".
I wish you all the best - it gets tedious near the end, but it will be over soon (when you look back afterwards).
Jeff

Just finished on Monday two months (41 sessions)IMRT for recurrence at Sloan Kettering in New York City. Rented an apartment in New York for two months to do this.  No major hitches or glitches yet.  IMRT included the prostate "bed" and pelvic lymph nodes (lymph is not always included, but my leading indicators are not great).

Bowels become more loose fairly quickly, but not in a way that was a big problem.  Usually once a day, and usually a bit more urgent. A few times twice a day.  (I normally am not a once a day person).  Hemmoroids once. No urinary problems. A few times my mind was wonderfully focused on my bladder because treatment between water intake and table time was delayed.  Not a big deal.  I tried to get to know the radiation staff (Sloan is a big place), stayed positive and friendly, kidded around, and got along really well.  The body mold will seem a little confining at first --  my treatments were usually between 9 and 10 am.  I learned quickly to eat nothing and not drink coffee until after the session -- no food made the mold easier, and no coffee helped with the water.  So far no major side effects.  I made a point of walking in the City most days at least two hours -- always walked to Sloan. The weather was wonderful in the City.  Some days with walking and museum time, I was on my feet 6+ hours.  I think physical exercise is the key for me to feel good about myself and my situation. (My prognosis is not particularly good.  Hopefully, recurrence was local, but odds are against this.)  Feel strong right now, plunged back into my regular life. Perhaps tire a little more quickly.

My wife took a three 1/2 hour studio art course each morning at the Art Students League while I was at Sloan.  She loved it. She had to deal each day with gorgeous 20-something Russian male models! Sacrifices must be made. We had the great city to play in every afternoon and evening. Joined the Met and MOMA. Several Irish bars within two blocks of our temporary apartment in the East 80s.   Best of luck to you both!

Newspaper Lover

Age 68

DaVinci surgery 11/09. Clean margins, clean seminal vessels.

Rising PSA noted 06/11

Gleason 8

Time to recurrrence 18 months

Three month doubling time (summer 2011).

PSA rose from .07 on 06/11 to .17 on 11/11.

MRIs and bone scans negative so far.

Started Lupron/Casodex 12/11

Began IMRT 02/20/12.

Finished IMRT 04/16/12

Follow up in July, 2012.