Four week post LDR appointments today

Today was my four week set of appointments following my LDR seed implants (approx 70 seeds of-125). It was my first time talking to my RO post procedure (the day of LDR, my RO talked to my wife for 10 to 15 minutes post procedure, but I was still out).

To recap a bit on the four weeks, I woke in recovery with no catheter. I had no memory beyond about the first five minutes in the procedure room -- I was out within a minute or two of having the oxygen mask put over my face. I was able to pee quite successfully with good flow before they let me go home.

Little to no discomfort post procedure. I might of took an aspirin or two, but nothing else. I'm sure a lot had to do with all the drugs they put in my system -- I was shocked reading the drug list when they let me see the notes on the meds for the procedure. No blood in urine or stools.

I was on 0.4 mg Flomax before procedure and 5 mg Cialis, both once a day. I was proscribed Flomax twice a day after procedure, but RO said see how it goes. Well, as the days went by, flow got worse as time went on. My Flomax was being taken at 6 pm. Best flow was first thing in the morning, but situation got tougher as day went on, and was worst 6 pm to 9 pm. I finally gave up after three weeks and have gone to Flomax at 6 am and 6 pm. Things are better, not perfect, but I could deal with it if it didn't get better.

So, today, I had a 9 am CT scan (same equipment done for the CT scan done for IMRT planning, then a 9:45 am MRI (about 30 minutes in the tunnel, no issues for me), and finally my RO visit. He said LDR went great, the cystoscopy that was done while I was under getting the LDR looked great -- he said that "rotorooter" likely improved the flow of my initial bathroom trip in recovery. He pulled up today's MRI and said retention wise (which was an issue before Cialis and almost ruled out LDR) looked great. Bottom line, he thinks while urine issues I'm having will likely get a bit worse (at the three to four month timeframe post LDR), things likely will get better from then. He was pleased when he asked if I ever worried that nothing was going to come out when flow was slow to start, I said no.

All in all, as a Gleason 9, I'm happy about how all has gone and nothing but positive about we're kicking ass and that my remaining time is unaffected. I have more concerns with my house build (grading should be starting in one totwo weeks) than this cancer journey. I take it very seriously -- it has made me stop and think how blessed I have been and continuing to be compared to many others who have much greater crosses to bear.

And while I'm thankful to have good insurance and a self funded HSA to cover the $7150 out of pocket max this year, I remain shocked at the $ billed to insurance and the total paid even at the contract rates -- I'm up to over 270K billed, 140K+ paid by insurance, and my $7150. It's really made me start investigating more about Medicare and all the supplemental alphabet choices. I turn 65 next year, but for now plan to work until about 67 1/2 (save,pay for house, and let my wife get to full SS age).

Lot's of topics in this update -- take what's useful (if anything), ignore the rest.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my brothers and their loved ones in this journey of life.