66 Palladium seeds almost three weeks later

Well, it has been nearly three weeks since my implant (March 6 2013 at the wonderful Chicago Prostate Center).

The reason for using 103Pd over another isotope for my G7 PCa
Gleason grade has been, in the past, the primary determinant for picking an isotope. Early open (laparotomy) implant experience with I-125 with moderate grades (2-6) was quite favorable but not so favorable with high-grade tumors (Gleason 8-10). We therefore initially elected to treat patients with low to moderate grades (2-6) with Iodine 125 and higher grades (7-10) with Palladium 103. To date, this has worked out well. For Gleason scores 5-7, either isotope is probably effective. However the studies that have evaluated whether one isotope is superior to another have demonstrated no difference.

What is 103Pd
Palladium-103 is a radioisotope of the element palladium which has uses in radiation therapy for prostate cancer and uveal melanoma. Palladium-103 may be created from palladium-102 or from Rhodium-103 using a Cyclotron. Palladium-103 has a half-life of 16.99 days and decays by electron capture to rhodium-103, emitting gamma-rays with 21 keV of energy.

The Half-life of 103Pd
Palladium has a half-life of 17 days. Within two months it has given up 90% of its energy and has lost almost all of it by six months. Again, there are advantages to both isotopes. Palladium gives up its energy quicker but this does not mean that it is necessarily better or stronger.

I am feeling pretty good. On occasion I get tired but that has pretty much faded. I have urinary symptoms like low flow, the feeling of urgency and a very low-level burning feeling (but it is a very low-level). I take Rapaflo for urinary issues and it helps but it still sometimes urine dribbles out of me slowly. I chalk that up to "normal" at this stage of the radiation destroying the cancer.

I am not having any problem with erections but still have not had sex. I am scared of a painful orgasm or even getting a strong erection. I keep going over "shooting" a seed in my mind and remember the blood from the biopsy (and the flippin' catheter - hate them). It is funny how mental tricks work on our organ.

I am still sore when sitting too long or on a hard surface. I accidentally sat down hard and felt it a bit but nothing too bad. I take Aleve on occasion but really never needed any pain medication other than that. It was a painless procedure and recovery.

There is still a little discoloration where the seeds were inserted but it doesn't look too bad.

No bowel issues. Regular movements without any pain at all.

As far as the general feeling I will say this: it feels like something is going on. It is hard to pinpoint. It feels like a low burning or a warmth at times. I assume this is radiation at work but it could be in my head.

In two and a half months or so I will get my first post-seed PSA and expect to get see it moving down. "Down down down and the Devil called out my name" goes the song but this time it is the cancer going down.

Hi Buddy:

Sounds about normal from what I understand about P-103...I was Iodide so a little longer 1/2 life.  Hey, and don't hold back on that sex stuff...remember, that's one of the reasons you had brachy!  Chances of seed expulsion are low but you still could have some nasty ejac...suggest you use a condom the first couple of times to make sure.

Glad it's going well and I'm sure that first PSA test will be down, down, down.

Jim

Good to hear this report. I'm now two months post brachy (HDR) although I had IMRT during the intervening weeks. I also had a weak flow, but when I was switched to Rapaflo it went away right away, where Flomax was of no help. I now only need to take it about once a week. I also have the urinary frequency, but I *think* it's getting better.

Also, very interesting info about the seeds! Good luck with that upcoming PSA!

Michael

Buddy, Good post. thanks, Let us know how your next PSA test goes.