ADT and SRT Journey

Hi Mike, yeppers I have my fat tire bike down here with me at the hope lodge been getting in some riding and going to the y to swim. This is week 8 for me and I'm done on Wednesday!!!!! I called work this morning and told them I am retiring Feb 28th. I turn 62 on Feb. 27 and so that is my birthday present to myself and a celebration of ending SRT! Wishing everyone a great week never thot when I started this thread that it would ever generate this kind of interest but it shows you that a lot of people are facing ADT and SRT and have guestions and lots of personal experiences that help out as we go along this journey of PCA!

Larry

Finish strong, Larry! All the best for your birthday and retirement, and thank you for starting this thread of information and support for those on this journey. Expect to join you next month.

pratoman, amongst our PC Family no questions are off limits, well at least to this family member!

What was explained to me was that they would like for me to have the BM early in the morning and to fill my bladder approx. 45 minutes prior to the days radiation treatment. I’ve begun practicing filling up my bladder with 16 once’s and seeing how I feel 45 minutes later. So far no issues. I’ll progress to 24 ounces this weekend.

Mike

Pratoman said...
How do you end up with a full bladder after a BM? ... when i do a BM, i automatically pee whatever contents is in my bladder. I assumed this was normal. Am i the only one? If not, how do you maintain full bladder when doing your business?

Yes, that's normal, and no, you're not the only one. I think it means they would like you to have a BM in the morning, or at least sometime before your treatment, THEN fill your bladder.

My Tx was at 2PM... I would have my normal morning BM, then I had to drink a quart of water between noon and 1PM, then hold it until my 2PM rad.

When I was having diarrhea it became more difficult, and on several occasions they told me if I came in the next day like that they wouln't treat me, but that never happened.

Good morning! Counting down with you Larry! One more after today and you can check that box!
Couple of things.
My RO did discuss with me before RT about having the full bladder and try to have a BM. But he said he did not want me to be so full that it was uncomfortable or for me to strain to have a BM. Most important he said was not to stress about it and if it became a problem the techs would tell me. They never said anything. A few times when I was having a bad bladder day, I would leak on the table. The techs said it happens, no big deal.

Today is one week post RT. I was really dragging the end of last week but have seemed to bounce back the last two days. We hooked up travel trailer Saturday and took off to Florida. It is a lot warmer here than Georgia. Nice to be back in shorts and sandals. I rode my bike 6.3 miles yesterday which was another big deal for me. Other than the mile last week, I had not ridden since 11/3. I was still pretty sensitive on the bottom from surgery and the RO suggested I stop riding so as not to irritate the treatment area any more before and during radiation. One doc says go and another says no. I think that is why they call it a practice, different patients need different instructions. Anyway it sure is nice to be out doing again. I also washed the pickup yesterday and will probably wash the trailer this afternoon . Shooting for a 10 mile bike ride today.

AZ Guy, congratulations on your last treatment too. I'd be interested to see if you and Larry have a little sinking spell the end of the week.

Stay strong and fight on!......Going outside now!
Noggin

Artist Mark: I will jump in for a short one. Just wanted to wish you the best.

May all beings be well.

Roger

Skypilot56 said...
... people that have cancer in their jaw area's those poor people actually wear a mask that gets screwed into place with 4 bolts sometimes it takes them an hour to get set up ...

The mask is pretty scary, and so is the chemorad protocol for OPC. Some have described the Tx as "brutal".
I had quite a scare just a few weeks after completing ART that may well have developed into my next cancer. Fortunately the tests so far have been inconclusive (I go back again next month).

The mask and one guys experience can be seen here: /mdbcancerjourney.com/tag/mask/ ... the image in the middle of the page is more descriptive.

AZ_guy, congrats on ringing the bell!

Larry: Great to hear you are just about done! I know you will enjoy the retirement. I certainly have.

Be well my friend.

Roger

Congrats AZ, and good luck Larry, getting .to the finish line.

Thnks fir the responses/ I figured it would go that way, but morning bum isn't always possible. Used to be, then I got old lol.

In any case, I'll cross that bridge if and when I get to it. For now I was just very curious.

Congrats Larry... I'll trade you a pair of glitter sandals for them snowshoes

Role models all for your courage and senses of humor.

Congrats Larry!! Hope you have a nice celebration planned!