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We finally made a decision -- SBRT

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 11/12/2017 12:17 AM (GMT -5)
Met with the doctor at the cancer center the VA refers to. Went in thinking brachytherapy and left with the decision of SBRT and lupron.

I'd rather he not do the lupron because he already has issues with depression -- but the doctor thinks it's the best method. So he'll have the shot in the next couple of weeks and then the SBRT in February or March.

Dr was very optimistic that this would be all he needed -- let's hope.
Posted 11/12/2017 5:44 AM (GMT -5)
Congrats on making a decision. Its tough getting to that point sometimes. The lupron will stop the cancer in its tracks. Hopefully, the lupron and making the decision on treatment will give him some relief from the fears we all go through.
Best of luck. Keep us posted on his progress
Posted 11/12/2017 6:28 AM (GMT -5)
Hello,yes the hardest part is over,making that decision. For me it was a ton of bricks off my shoulders. What was your Gleason scores ? Where are you to be treated ? Good Luck,keep us posted.SemperFi,John
Posted 11/12/2017 9:17 AM (GMT -5)
You have reached a milestone in this journey, I remember I felt quite a sense of relief when I made my treatment decision. No doubt about it, Lupron therapy is very difficult with some of us but consider it a "silver bullet" and worth the side effects. Your Doc can help him with managing side effects, I was prescribed Effoxor for the sweats which really helped.
Posted 11/12/2017 9:36 AM (GMT -5)
Congrats on making a choice--it feels good to move from "figuring out what to do" to "let's beat this thing." How long will the Hormone Therapy be? I'm also curious about the specifics of the diagnosis, if you'd care to add a signature.

Most important--best of luck on your journey!
Posted 11/12/2017 10:43 AM (GMT -5)
The decision is always the hardest part. Good work on getting that done.

Now just for the treatment.

Hang in there, you'll be fine.

Andrew
Posted 11/12/2017 2:15 PM (GMT -5)
Good decision and don't worry to much about the Lupron, I had a lot of ADT and my depression has actually got better!
Posted 11/12/2017 4:53 PM (GMT -5)
Great that you have now reached this point. I felt so much better once I made the FINAL decision.

May all beings be well.

Roger
Posted 11/17/2017 12:17 AM (GMT -5)
This is the signature I created in profile, not sure why it didn't show up.

Husband - Gil
dx at 73 (09/17)
Gleason 7 (4+3)
11 of 16 cores
Loma Linda VA
finasteride 5mg since 04/2017
timsulosin since 09/2016
MRI & Bone Scan negative as of 10/17
Posted 11/17/2017 12:42 PM (GMT -5)
Jackie, my best to Gil moving forward.

FWIW, I opted for the same route of SBRT+ADT and so far no regret. Just returned home from Cleveland Clinic and I must say the early urinary and bowel bothers I experienced from SBRT are minimal, much less than anticipated. I had to increase Flomax from 1 to 2 tabs daily but I suspect the endo-rectal balloon caused most of my bowel discomfort as I did use SpaceOAR to limit rectal wall dose. The leuprocide acetate is much more problematic for me. After 3 weeks Casodex and ~2 months Eligard, sweats are a nuisance but my lack of endurance and muscle/joint pain is difficult to adjust to. Maybe some of that can be attributed to the radiation but I don't much appreciate the new man boobs and very sore nipples either!

A supportive caregiver makes a world of difference.
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