how to choose?

Paxton, you're a quick study!

Well said.

Hello all – just wanted to follow up here to let you know that my husband did decide on brachytherapy (LDRBRT), and had that procedure done with Dr. Brian Moran this past Friday. (Hubby did have an MRI at the University of Chicago a few weeks ago, since that is what Dr. Liauw suggested. As expected it confirmed that the cancer seemed to be confined to the prostate.) The brachytherapy went smoothly; 71 seeds implanted, and Dr. Moran offered assurances that hubby should do well. So far my husband has experienced little in the way of side effects – hardly any discomfort and only minimal increase in urination. A little fatigued but that could be related to all the stress involved in the procedure, not to mention all the tension involved watching the Cubs games this weekend.

Of course we know that the real tests he needs to pass are down the road, but there is every reason to be thoroughly optimistic (for the Cubs as well as for my husband). And as other people on this forum who have dealt with Dr. Moran have said, he has been terrific throughout the entire process as has every single staff member at the Chicago Prostate Center. Dr. Moran will be doing the follow up with my husband, and we’ll keep you informed about his progress. And before his brachytherapy my husband got in touch with Yoop (also treated by Dr. Moran) and his advice was extremely helpful, so this forum really does perform an important service – thanks.

Of course we wish this had never happened, but there are a few good things to be extracted from it, like the way it forces you to focus on what’s important. We took a three-week vacation in early September, just before hubby’s MRI and then the brachytherapy, which was really therapeutic. So at least prostate cancer allows you to do those sorts of things before starting treatment, which is a blessing (and of course we presume we’ll be taking vacations in the future too). Also, prostate cancer obliges men to think and talk about things they usually don’t, like parts of your anatomy and what they’re used for. For most of our lives women have to deal with discharges and bleeding and pain and (both after pregnancy and as we age) incontinence, along with strangers poking instruments into our vaginas, so we think about our private parts often and talk about them pretty easily. I think those conversations, and those about sexuality, are much harder for men, but prostate cancer makes it necessary to discuss such topics, with doctors and with significant others. That can actually be a liberating process. Maybe there should be a way to encourage this among men without having a disease force the issue.

Anyhow, thanks again for everyone’s input and support: it was invaluable. My hope for everyone struggling with this disease is a string of good reports and the peace of mind that comes with them.

Thanks for reporting back in--both about the brachy and the way the two of you have handled it. I'm sure your husband will do well...do keep us posted about that. Three months for his first post-procedure PSA test?

We did consider going to see Dr. Hirsch, as she is another doctor here in Chicagoland that is very highly regarded on this forum, but frankly the stress of considering yet another option seemed to offset what might be gained by seeing her. SBRT clearly seems like a reasonable choice so I hope all goes well for you, Paxton! We are lucky to have so many good options here, though sometimes that just leads to more anxiety and paralysis. Like so many have found, making the treatment choice feels like the hardest part of this process. Or at least I hope so. Anyhow, we will be checking in to see what you decide, Paxton, and how you are doing.

In one month my husband goes back for a CT scan and then in four months he'll have his first PSA test. We will keep you posted!