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Progress toward SBRT Update

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 5/20/2017 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Moving toward SBRT, I still need fiducial markers placed followed by a standard MRI and a CT scan. My plan was to continue to use Mayo in Jacksonville (where my urologist is department head) for those services. Just learned that Mayo will not allow fiducial marker placement by their doctors unless Mayo is doing the eventual treatment. So now I've decided to just have everything completed in Tampa through Dr. Freeman's colleagues. Dr. Freeman referred me to a doctor who will do the transperineal fiducial marker placement as opposed to transrectal, which is in accordance with her preference. She will also arrange for me to have the MRI and CT scan done in Tampa. All this will require multiple trips to Tampa but I really do not mind at all because of the importance to my health of this process. Apparently, there are also protocols that are specific to her planning that Dr. Freeman requires when markers are placed and possibly with even the MRI and CT scan and other medical facilities sometimes are not real keen on following a protocol other than their own. Anyway, this is a quite an educational experience and I am very satisfied to date with the direction and manner in which I am headed, despite some inconvenience (265 miles from home). BTW, after all my research, it was a recommendation from TA that got me started with Dr. Freeman and I am very grateful for his knowledge and information-sharing as well as all the personal experiences and tips that I have received from all the kind members of this board. And my journey has just begun......
As an added note, I really hope to be able to contribute in the future to those folks who receive the same unfortunate news that we have all received and in that way, give back a little.
Posted 5/21/2017 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to hear of your progress, 19. It sounds like you're on a good path, and if I didn't have everything right near home (big city guy here), I'd do the same. I've heard good things about Dr. Freeman from Tall Allen and also from 0311.

I, too, decided not to meddle with the RO's preferred protocol. For example, I asked about using a nerve block for my fiducial implant procedure. My RO indicated that they did not do this in their clinic, and that in order to have the nerve block I would need to have the procedure across the street at the main hospital. If I went to the main hospital, though, a doc outside their group would have to do the procedure. . . and they (the RO group) would not have the same control as to where the markers would be placed. I sucked it up and said that I would do it as my RO preferred. . . and I'm happy with the results. Anything that keeps things as the RO wants them is good, in my opinion. I did it her way, and everything (yes, really everything) went as she said it would.

As I said, it sounds like you have a very good plan. Tampa is not a bad place to be. If you get bored there, head out to Treasure Island, near Clearwater Beach. Take a walk on the beach and let the sound of the waves calm your mind.

You're doing fine! Keep up the good work.
Posted 5/21/2017 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a good plan to me. I've been to Tampa a few times, lots of stuff to do in that area.

Andrew
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