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Moving along the decision path.

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Posted 7/13/2013 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Had my consult with the RO at Sloan last week, I’m about 90% sure that I’m going to get zapped. So he tells me I need to get my overdue colonoscopy done for the following reasons.
1) Eliminate chance of colon cancer because it will kill me before prostate caner will.
2) He does not want me doing a colonoscopy anytime soon after RT.
3) He said I should have done it when I was supposed to and wouldn’t be having to be doing it now. < yeah, he’s a little bit of a wise ass.
So doing that plus an endoscopy due to history of GERD on 8/2. Then on 8/25 going to get an endorectal MRI, after that will have a treatment plan meeting to decide on best course of action.
With all of these probes I’m starting to feel like a two dollar ***** on a Friday night.
Posted 7/13/2013 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Steven, sounds like you are coming up with a plan. Good for you. Now the only thing for us to worry about is how you have knowledge of two-dollar ******!

Jim
Posted 7/13/2013 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Steven, have confidence (and faith) that you've been putting the time and due diligence in during this part of your journey. You have been going about this in the absolute best manner and approach and I know you'll do well. I also think I'd really like your RO by the way!

Continued best to you.
Posted 7/13/2013 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Those doctors put sharp things where they have NO right to be!

I have GERD also, and have been through the upper GI and endoscopy stuff some years ago. I'm now on PPIs (Zegerid currently) probably forever. No biggie, since they put you under for the endoscopy and PPIs are pretty inexpensive.

Colonoscopy was similarly no biggie, but the "prep" isn't my favorite way to spend an evening.

My 3T MRI was a really *long* event (about 1-1/2 hours). I mostly tried to meditate and mentally go somewhere else. The main discomfort was while on my back, keeping my arms up over my head that long, since it makes my shoulders ache if I do that more than a few minutes anyway. I didn't have the endorectal coil thingy, which would only add to the fun.

The whole treadmill of diagnostics takes patience, but having all the data up front is so important. Any discomfort, bother, inconvenience or whatever is worth it to get the data you need for a decision. Glad you're doing all the diligence to get as clear a picture as possible. It's never perfect, and even the best-informed decision is not guaranteed to be right since everyone's biology is different.

You're working to make the best possible decision, and then you'll execute. At that point, rip the rear view mirror out and throw it away (not always easy to do). Move forward with courage; all the best!
Posted 7/13/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)

Tudpock18 said...
Now the only thing for us to worry about is how you have knowledge of two-dollar ******!
Jim

Jim if we ever meet I will tell you all about it over a cup of coffee as I gave up drinking at about the same time as giving up two dollar ******s. LOL


A Yooper said...
Steven, have confidence (and faith) that you've been putting the time and due diligence in during this part of your journey. You have been going about this in the absolute best manner and approach and I know you'll do well. I also think I'd really like your RO by the way!

Continued best to you.

He is a nice guy very easy to talk to, a little sarcastic but thats ok because so am I. Kind of young too but that don't bother me.
Posted 7/13/2013 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a plan. Keep us updated.

The worst part is the prep - then they give you drugs and when you wake up you can eat again.

It will all be a bad memory before you know it.

Andrew
Posted 7/13/2013 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Steven D,

Very wise of your doctor to insist on the colonoscopy first. My RO feels strongly that all instrumentation (colon and cystoscopy) should be avoided for some time after radiation as the tissue becomes friable and is subject to tearing.

Are you getting IGRT/IMRT or SBRT? I think MSK does SBRT now. The RO with the most SBRT experience would be Alan Katz in Flushing, NY.

BTW, I had propofol during my colonoscopy and I heartily recommend it -- no residual anesthesia effects at all -- great stuff!
Posted 7/13/2013 7:41 PM (GMT 0)

Tall Allen said...
Steven D,

Are you getting IGRT/IMRT or SBRT? I think MSK does SBRT now. The RO with the most SBRT experience would be Alan Katz in Flushing, NY.

BTW, I had propofol during my colonoscopy and I heartily recommend it -- no residual anesthesia effects at all -- great stuff!

Tall I believe he said the following depending on how MRI and other test come back.
In no order yet because we haven done a plan yet.
1) IGRT
2) Seeds
3) Combo of IGRT & Seeds.

Yup Propofol for the oscopy day and Ativan for the MRI.

Better living through pharmacology.
Posted 7/13/2013 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Stephen, I just came up with my decision recently, and it really feels good! Sounds like you are very close, and have done your homework, good for you! I'll be having SBRT, and there is a lot of experience on this site with seeds and IMRT, so you will have a lot of guys to ask questions of. Best of luck and I've heard great things about Sloan.
Mike
Posted 7/13/2013 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I echo Redwings's comment about the MRI. Spending 90 minutes with something that felt like a telephone pole shoved up my rear wasn't my idea of a good time. I think the Ativan is a wise choice.

Congrats on coming down to a main treatment path. Keep us posted!
Posted 7/15/2013 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Steven D,

Good idea to get the colonoscopy out of the way first. I had one a year or more after my SRT and my RO told me to be sure to tell the colonoscopy team to biopsy absolutely nothing in the lower 8 inches of colon because, based on his experience with another patient, this could pierce the rectal wall with consequences none of us want to deal with. Good luck with the prep. If your doc recommends the same routine as mine did, you may find yourself with no further desire for Gatorade for the rest of your days.

I also had an endoscopy some years ago. The doc did his best to sedate me but I was refusing to let go--watching the door and working out my escape plan. He gave me more, and then some more. Next thing I knew I was in the recovery room.
Posted 7/15/2013 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Steve, I wish you luck in your treatment. A friend of mine with similar stats to yours is going through radiation right now and so far he seems to be doing just fine.
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