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Posted 4/30/2014 10:11 AM (GMT -5)
As you can see below, husband John's path is serious. We've been putting off secondary treatment after RRP since PSA's have been coming back undetectable. Surgeon says no RT til rise in PSA. Rad Onc wants to do RT around the end of May. Feels potential for "cure" is there and would necessitate getting it done while PSA is at lowest. We realize how controversial and individualistic this is, but have decided to go with the radiation. Now we're looking for any advice, stories, etc on what to expect from the radiation treatments during and post-. We know about fatigue and will counter with exercise/diet. Any mental acuity issues to be concerned with? John is a global account exec that deals with international sales. We want to make sure we have all the backup he would need. As always, thanks for your help.

Age 58
Sep 2013 PSA 3.7, clinical stage T1c, 3+4
RRP (Patel in Celebration) 10/31/2013, path stage pT3bN0Mx
SVI bilaterally, LVI, pos margin at apex (3+3), EXE at base
4+3 w/ tertiary 5 (65% 4, 35% 3, 5% 5)
12/20/2013 PSA 0.02; 2/17/2014 PSA 0.02; 3/21/14 PSA 0.03; 4/20/2014 PSA 0.02
MRI/bone scan negative
Posted 4/30/2014 10:26 AM (GMT -5)
RT isn't that difficult. It's more of an endurance test. Going in everyday, drinking the water, some get fatigue, and other symptoms but generally that all clears up quickly after the treatments are over.

The mental/emotional part was the most difficult for me but not that bad. Towards the end of the treatment cycle, you husband might want to schedule a few vacation days (maybe a week). I am a software engineer and was able to work the whole time except for the last three days when the fatigue hit me really bad.

He'll do fine. Just do lots of good things for yourselves and keep your spirits up.

Andrew
Posted 4/30/2014 10:28 AM (GMT -5)
I did adjuvant RT.

That was the time I first came to HW. My "diary" of sorts is linked in my sig.
Posted 4/30/2014 3:02 PM (GMT -5)
My husband also was pT3b, and had adjuvant radiation. He is never the best of patients and can think a cold is a major calamity. He did very well, though, through all the radiation treatments. He mostly drove to the cancer centre and back, an hour and a half driving time each way, by himself, stopping half way to adjust his water intake or outake. Other than one day when he came home pretty tired and needed a nap, he had no fatigue or other problems. He met the same people waiting each day and none of them reported any problems that prevented them from carrying on their normal routine. He still meets some of them, and all did well, although there are no guarantees. To me, it's sort of like buying an extra lottery ticket, improving your chances of winning.
Posted 4/30/2014 4:48 PM (GMT -5)
I had SRT at the end of last year, my uro recommended when PSA reached .1, I think a touch of fatigue was all. Good luck and hope all goes well.
Posted 4/30/2014 8:58 PM (GMT -5)
I'm in the same boat (pt3b) albeit GL 4+5 and not an undetectable PSA (.2 ) . My next reading was done today eight months post op. I appreciate these comments as I'm probably heading for SRT.
Bob
Posted 4/30/2014 9:09 PM (GMT -5)
RT was not a big deal for me...compared to surgery and HT. More just a logistics thing.
Posted 4/30/2014 10:06 PM (GMT -5)
I had a terrible time with SRT, that went way wrong, and left me totally disabled, and aside from that, the radiation didn't remotely slow down or stop the cancer.

With those stats, I wouldn't be eager to rush into radiation, but I am not your husband or his doctor. There is risk with radiation, not always a walk in the park. I would just want to make sure its really needed at this time.

With a PSA of .02, I couldn't imagine taking the risk at this time.

David
Posted 4/30/2014 11:25 PM (GMT -5)
Did RT back in July and Aug ,didn't experience any fatigue, did however develop a nasty case of rectal bleeding, and proctitis, plus a constant pain in my left hip that radiates down my leg and across my lower back,and recently cystitis. If I had a post opp psa of 0.02 I would not of had it done, this coming from a guy who freaks out when his psa jumps from 0.01 to 0.02 :-) David,Andrew, Peter thanks for you earlier comments.
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