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SRT Halftime report

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Posted 5/27/2015 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, after 20 of 39 IMRT treatments, PSA is .05 on 5/22. No ADT. Last pre SRT PSA was .07 on 4/24. We used .1 as the trigger point for SRT which I hit on 3/27 and 4/3. Stayed on track for SRT even after the pre SRT reading of .07, given a positive lymph node and the upward PSA trend over 20 months.

IMRT protocol at University of Colorado is great and very consistent with the the stories on the forum from the members who went before.

Many thanks for the posts!

Luther
Posted 5/27/2015 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for th report. Any side effects you can share?
Posted 5/27/2015 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Rob, nothing bad yet. Used one tab of Immodium yesterday for the first time. Haven't noticed any fatigue at this point. I've focused on bladder training since the RP and all is good there. No incontinence or pain etc -- yet. The radiation dr. tells me that SE's might get going later in treatment.

Also, I've increased cardio since planning for SRT and I thinks that's helped. Always had good gym habit but now am 50/50 split between treadmill running and weights. Have endured good natured taunts from the muscle kids. "Ricky Ri-Cardio" being the best. I'm following the advice of my friend Logo on heart and lung conditioning and it's working! Of course, it took me a while to not look like the kid in the gym who had to practice violin while the others are lifting weights but well worth the time and it's what I should have been doing anyway.

Sorry for the lengthy reply.

Best,

Luther
Posted 5/27/2015 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Great report.

Don't worry about how long a reply, we'll read it all. Well, most of it... ;)

Hang in there, you'll be done before you know it.

Andrew
Posted 5/27/2015 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Andrew, I now know why IMRT people post the number of treatments. 21/39 for me. The "everyday" treatment needs milestones.
Posted 5/27/2015 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I kept a calendar in my office and each day I'd cross off another treatment. It's a long slow grind.

Andrew
Posted 5/27/2015 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Marking days on your calendar? Reminds me of prison. Seems obsessive Andrew.

Best,

Luther 22/39
Posted 5/27/2015 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update. I may be heading for SRT and appreciate you taking the time to respond. It sounds like so far, so good. I am surprised you are getting a PSA so soon. I was told it would be 3 months post SRT before PSA.
Posted 5/27/2015 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Rob, you've got great psa numbers. Why the SRT thought?

Yes, 3 months is standard and a better indicator but I like to look at trends and since I don't contribute much, I thought I could at least track my numbers for other G3,4 with LN1.

Thanks,

Luther
Posted 5/27/2015 9:34 PM (GMT 0)

Luther said...
Marking days on your calendar? Reminds me of prison. Seems obsessive Andrew.

Best,

Luther 22/39

it felt a bit like prison... :)
Posted 5/28/2015 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi
Good to know that you are doing fine....hang on there.
All the best to your remaining sessions.
Posted 5/28/2015 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks yk, I read your SRT thread and made sure that I'd considered the SE's and the planning. I must be a world class nerd because I practiced lying flat for 10 minute intervals in advance of SRT.

Hey I did have an SRT event. At session number two a motor on the cutting head (collimator) malfunctioned on 'old sparky (Varian Truebeam) and the radiation techs and the physicist worked like a NASCAR crew to replace the motor. They asked me to stay in position on the table so I got 50 minutes of table time for what normally takes 4 minutes from alignment to the last rotation. Note that the rad techs are aware of the phrase "I gotta piss like a racehorse" which I said just for fun more than actual need. I'm pretty good on water, less good with a couple of shots of espresso and then diet Pepsi, my beverage of choice, is my number one known bladder irritant which I still enjoy.

Thanks for the kind words. Hope to get a good result like you're having.


Best,

Luther 22:39, hey looks biblical!
Posted 5/28/2015 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the report Luther. Sounds great…keep up the gym habits. I'm happy for ya.. You sound great!!! Oh I said that twice… with nary a wave a riding. What a life…absolutely amazing...
Posted 5/29/2015 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Logo, I've blended your outlook that 'all is well until it isn't' with my adage 'expect a positive outcome' which, if you do the math, equals 12. And 12 is way above good.

Thanks for the gentle reminder to kick up the cardio. I recall your subtle comment. To paraphrase it goes "don't die from heart disease while you're waiting for Godot.' Please correct as required.

Best,

Luther 23:39
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