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Posted 3/15/2015 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning,

I must say the process so far has been difficult. I have had so many test run on me and procedures that it seems as if there is no end to all of this. Last week I went in for a volume test so they could determine how many seeds I would need implanted. They will implant between 75-100. The nurse and doctor talked to me about pretty much isolating myself for 2-3 months following the insertion. We even talked about Church and that it was not a good idea to be in close proximity of anyone while I was radioactive. It was best if I sleep alone or try to remain 3 feet away from people. The big surprise was the recommendation to not allow my dog to sit in my lap or close to me during this time. This is difficult enough without having to be so isolated.

Have any of you experienced this?

He also told me it wasn't too late to have the prostate removed. If I change my mind it must be done before the first radiation treatment. We asked him when the treatment would start and he said in about a week in a half. I am not sure why he doesn't have a set date or even when he will know. My friend who has been with me through this entire process is growing weary and frustrated at the uncertainty of the Radiation Oncologist.

I am trying to keep positive. Any suggestions is appreciated.
Posted 3/15/2015 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Easy E...I had HDR brachy, not LDR brachy that uses permanent seeds. That said, I have never heard of isolating yourself for 2-3 months when you have seeds. I do hope some of our friends here that have had LDR brachy comment on this.
Posted 3/15/2015 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Hero, The EPE would have a better chance of being taken care of with TA's suggestions. IMRT/IGRT and ADT seems to me to be the best approach.

Carl
Posted 3/15/2015 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
EasyE, no reason to isolate yourself, other than the precaution of limiting the amount of time that a small child sits on your lap to 5 minutes per day for the first few months, depending on the isotope that the patient received. Beyond that, there is no limit on the time that a patient may spend with children. There are no special precautions for other family members, pets or the general public.

You are not "radioactive" - the seeds are radioactive, patients are not. Since the radioactivity has low energy and the placement is so precise, virtually all the radioactivity is absorbed into the prostate. There is no radioactivity in a patient's blood, sweat, urine and other bodily fluids. There are no issues with contamination. - Not sure why you were told that but it's simply not the case. That, and the lack of detailed response has me wondering - have you chosen a highly skilled and experienced medical professional to perform the implants?

LDR BT is highly successful, in terms of a "cure" as well as minimizing side effects - but that has the added caveat (as do ALL of he treatment approaches) that it should be done by someone at a very high skill/experience/results level.

Also, have you and your doctor planned out he additional external radiation that many of the others have suggested, based on you PCa statistics?
Posted 3/15/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Easy, the advice you got re isolation was ABSOLUTELY NUTS. This is NOT reasonable and customary advice from experienced LDR Brachy specialists. That alone would have me running (not walking) away from this particular doctor.

Jim
Posted 3/15/2015 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Easy, as Yooper said on your other two threads, it's a little confusing to have you running three threads where you are asking the same question. So, I have locked the other two threads and provided links below for anyone who wants to go back to those and get further background. Hopefully, this will maximize the opportunity for you to get meaningful feedback from our membership.

Jim



www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3281887

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3320604
Posted 3/15/2015 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Easy I agree with the others, the RO telling you that you need to practically be in isolation is nuts. I met with two RO's including one from MSKCC. They both told me that I need only avoid close proximity for long periods of time to small children and pregnant women, for about 8 weeks.
So not to make yourself crazy, but I would question whether this RO is knowledgeable enough to do your seeds.
As far his him telling you it's not to late to switch gears and do surgery, the fact that you bring it up tells me you are wavering. Is it the RO that has your thinking twice, or the process itself. You have to realize that there is no fun or easy way to treat what you have. And with a GLeason 7(4+3), while it could be worse, it's probably best that you get on with it sooner rather than later. The good news is your chances of a good result are considerable.

I would press the RO. Aask him why there is no definite date. Tell him you've ben told something different about isolation. See how he reacts. If necessary find someone else. If Brachy (or any other treatment) gets f'd up, you don't get to do it over again.

Also, if in fact, you are wavering (Nd maybe you aren't), then write a list of side effects on a page for each treatments, along with the pros and cons. And make a final final decision, get the best practitioner you can find, and get on with it.

Sorry you have to go through this. Take charge, and push the medical professionals as hard as you have to. They work for you, not the other way around.
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