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Brachiotherapy Radiation Seeds Help

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Posted 6/15/2008 8:15 AM (GMT -5)
Hello to all, My husband had the Radiation Seed treament last week at the uw.  Instead of getting out early, he had to spend 3 days in the hopsital getting rid of blood clots and dealing with spasms.

However, since he has been home, he experiences trouble urinating at night. The stream is slow.  He is fine during the day. He is on Flomax.  He is drinking decaf coffee with at meal, but he is having wine with dinner.  Could it be the wine?

Thanks for any advice.

Also to those who have had this done, when the seeds start working will he experience this again or what will happen when they are working?

Posted 6/15/2008 2:58 PM (GMT -5)
Hi there Maile
Welcome to the Healingwell Forum . . . .although we didn't have experience with seed treatment, we did find the threads posted by Just Julie to be most informative and helpful in that area of treatment. I tried to bump it to the top for you but it's now a "locked" thread . . . .if you go to the second link from the top on the main prostate cancer page . . titled . . .

Prostate Cancer Resources and Direct Links to Sites, Videos, Books, etc. to help with your research!  


You will have to scroll down to the last posting. . there's a section titled . . .New Category to be added when Threads are updated  which lists Julie's and I believe 3 other journeys with seeds.  You will find tons of helpful information there.  Good luck and keep us posted.

;o) Linda & Bob

Posted 6/16/2008 8:11 PM (GMT -5)

Mailie

I do not have seeds but am getting radiated in Florida.

Alcohol only makes me go more often. 

Please keep us informed and here is wishing you and hubbie the best

Richard yeah tongue yeah

Posted 6/17/2008 3:52 AM (GMT -5)
Lawink, thanks for the link, I am going for a survey for brachy 7-21-08, I have been prescribed the system cleaners etc, apparently I will be anaesthetized while 'they' do an ultrasound scan of the prostate to plan the number and layout of the seeds. Can anyone tell me if the trauma of this procedure is any different to that of a biopsy? I am asking because I have to drive 250 miles for the procedure.
Posted 6/17/2008 9:25 AM (GMT -5)
HI to everyone,  Thanks for your support and help. 

Linda and Bob,  I read Julie's post and thought it was excellent. I will look for the others.  I was looking for active new people to talk to.

Also..Richard, thanks for the advice on the alcohol.  He has cut it out for a while and it has helped. I hope your radiation is going well.  How many more treatments do you have? 

Chris..I can check with my husband.  I think he thought the biopsy was worse than the ultra sound or the mapping that they did to figure out the seeds.  He was there all day as they sent him to 5 different people..It is mainly an ultrasound and being probed around.  Then discussion and seeing the anesthesiologist, the urologist, and the surgeon.  He was fine and able to drive back with me that night. 

We had to drive 225 miles away also for the treatment and surgery..We will be going back in 2 weeks to see if the seeds have been positioned properly.

Please feel free to pop in with any questions, as my husband has just had the procedure done.

He is feeling better..especially because the dr told him he could have two pills a day to help him.

Posted 6/17/2008 10:17 AM (GMT -5)
Welcome Maile!  I am glad that you found HW and hope that this forum helps you on your journey! I wanted to provide the instructions for a "signature".  The signature helps other members answer questions regarding your situation and you won't have to keep repeating yourself Again, welcome and best wishes! Signature Line     (Single spaced in profile ~ please)                               (10 line minimum not in effect for Prostate Forum)   ** Using…Reply Post: Signature appears at the end of each of your postings automatically v        If you wish for signature not to appear on a specific posting Click the check mark off in the options (Include signature) just above submit button ** Using…Quick Post:   Signature appears at the end of each of your postings automatically   Log In Click on Control Panel (top left) Click on Edit Profile Scroll down to Signature Type specific information that you wish to share… ** optional (I use WORD and then copy & paste directions are available see #4) I find this works better if I want to move around or add something later Scroll down to the bottom of the page Click on     Submit   button Page will process and you will see a statement      Your profile has been updated… Click on HOME top right next to calendar/chat/search/members/help This brings you back to the Main Page for HealingWell.com Forum Click on Prostate Cancer And you’re back with us!!! Now ~ the next posting that you create…. Your signature will automatically show up at the bottom !!!   Check the first time to make sure all information is exactly as you want it!   Example: Name and State you live in    Date and Treatment (be specific)   Age at time of diagnosis/treatment PSA,   Gleason,   Tumor Stage,   Margins Any and all information that gives a clear picture of “Your Journey” Date 1 st PSA   Date 2 nd PSA
Posted 6/17/2008 12:21 PM (GMT -5)

chris nz said...
Can anyone tell me if the trauma of this procedure is any different to that of a biopsy?

The mapping was no big deal...certainly less grief than the biopsy. You might want to get one of those rubber doughnuts (mmmm....donuts) for the ride home, but you won't really even need that til after the proceedure. I would certainly recommend having one then...and letting somebody else drive. Mapping is a cakewalk.

To the original poster, I still drink coffee and alcohol, and about 4 months in, I often make it through the night now. I am taking the flomax, though. Still get that urgency, but it's fading some.

Happy Trails, All,

JC

Posted 6/17/2008 1:11 PM (GMT -5)
JustJulie checking in here.  Sorry that your husband is experience excessive clotting.  My husband did experience some but nothing to any type of extreme.  Remember that there has been some "trauma" to the lower region so there is likely some swelling that may in fact be causing the decrease in flow.  Flomax is wonderful and worked great for my husband.

A rubber ring, as Johnny Canuck suggested, is great for the first little while - it just makes it a little easier to sit.

Although they suggest to avoid spicy foods (or at least enter them into your diet sparingly) my husband varied his diet very minimally and had little after effects.

I wish you well in your recovery - if I can be of any help, please don't hesitate to give a shout out.

JustJulie

 

Posted 6/18/2008 9:15 AM (GMT -5)
Hi to all and thanks for your support. After finally tracking down the dr and getting a return call from him, my husband learned that 2 flomax a day was acceptable. He has had a much better day and night. He still deals with urgency..but it is getting better.
He is going to try to do a jazz guitar performance on Friday night..and hopes the band can cover for him if he has to leave the stage!
In two weeks we go back for a cat scan to see if the seeds are in the right place and if all spaces are covered. Has anyone here had to add extra seeds? Would this mean the whole surgery all over again? I suspect so.
Posted 6/18/2008 9:37 AM (GMT -5)
JC and Julie..I read your threads..They were very helpful and gave me much insight as to what my husband could experience. My main fear is that he will be running a wheat harvest in 4 weeks and may over extend himself..plus he will not be able to drive the combine. I guess the best thing to do is to take it day by day.
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