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Met with RO, treatment plan is all set

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 12/22/2017 4:43 AM (GMT -5)
Had a great preop meeting with RO. I will be doing two fractions of HDR-BT, 13.5 gy, two weeks apart. The procedure entails basically three steps. Under propofol, they will use a transrectal ultrasound to insert catheters, I think 20, into the prostate. They also will insert a urinary catheter for the procedure. I then will be awake for the insertion of the radiation probes. They will do an MRI to ensure the catheters are correctly placed and then the technician and physicist will inset the radiation source. I then will go back under and the catheters will be removed. Two weeks later the same procedure.

Doc says to expect some urinary discomfort for a couple of weeks.

The plan then is to monitor PSA drop over the next year or so. He warned me there could be a bounce in PSA. They are not sure why this occurs but also said bounce patients seem to do better.

I am grateful for my doc, easy to talk to and I totally trust him. He has done over 1,000 HDRBTs. I am at peace and comfortable with this next phase of my health journey.
Posted 12/22/2017 7:50 AM (GMT -5)
Good Morning Denis sounds like everything is working out for you although i don't know with 20 tubes of. Radiation you might be able to light up the house for Christmas!! LOL. Best to you and a Merry Christmas

Larry
Posted 12/22/2017 8:38 AM (GMT -5)
Denis,

Sounds like a great plan. You will do very well and I look forward to your updates.

Merry Christmas,

Jack
Posted 12/22/2017 9:35 AM (GMT -5)
Sounds good Denis....Keep us posted..good luck with the TX in January Happy Holidays! yeah
Posted 12/22/2017 11:23 AM (GMT -5)
now get it done.

You'll do just fine.
Andrew
Posted 12/22/2017 11:43 AM (GMT -5)
Glad you're all set. Same process as I had, except I had 17 catheters. I'm sure you'll do great!
Posted 12/22/2017 12:26 PM (GMT -5)
Sounds good. Don't they give you a spinal block too? If you're awake during the insertion, I would think the perineum has to be numbed somehow. Interesting about the MRI. I understood that they had to use CT because the MRI, if used alone, created artifacts from the fiducials.
Posted 12/22/2017 5:02 PM (GMT -5)
Hallelujah....you're in good hands, and will be fine!
Posted 12/22/2017 6:20 PM (GMT -5)
No mention of spinal block, doc said the biggest complaint is how long you are laying down. Happy Holidays everyone. Denis
Posted 12/22/2017 6:44 PM (GMT -5)
I had the spinal block and then did not go back under for the catheter removal. No need as I was still numb. Didn’t feel a thing when the BT catheters or the Foley were removed.

I had 15 BT catheters. They were inserted under ultrasound then fine tuned under a CT scan. Took about 20 minutes to do the fine tuning. Then about an hour for the RO, physicist and domestrist to finalize the plan. Then only 15 minutes to do the actual radiation.

All in about four hours on my back.
Posted 12/22/2017 10:39 PM (GMT -5)
Hey Denis: Great for you. Glad it is coming together and you are good with it. I just finished my SBRT today and I can tell you how great it feels to do your homework, make your decision and then get it done and over with.

May you do well and be well.

Roger
Posted 12/23/2017 4:55 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks, Roger and JNF. My one question to the doc was if this sounds and feels so good why aren't more guys doing it? He said there is not much money in for the docs and institutions since it is only two visits. And there are few fellowships in the US to train to do this work. Kind of a sad statement about what motivates treatment. Happy holidays all. Denis
Posted 12/23/2017 12:04 PM (GMT -5)
I had a spinal block when I was under for having the template sutured on the and catheters inserted. It lasted about 4-6 hours after that. (And it was a really weird feeling...complete numbness from the waste down.)
Posted 12/23/2017 1:42 PM (GMT -5)
Subdenis: I am wondering the same thing about the SBRT. Wow what a breeze of a treatment but of course there is what my Momma used to say. "The proof is in the pudding" So it comes down to outcomes I guess. From what I see, statistically, all of the major mainline treatments are very similar.

Good luck with that treatment.

May all beings be well and always free from animosity.

Roger
Posted 12/23/2017 3:23 PM (GMT -5)
More people aren't doing SBRT because it is not easily available to all of us. Me, for instance, it was more convenient for me to do 44 IMRT tratments locally and travel 300 miles for SBRT,even if it was only a week or two. Since RP was out , RT was my only realistic choice. That said , my RO says that SBRT is the wave of the future once even smaller facilities are good at it.
Posted 12/25/2017 8:45 AM (GMT -5)
I am 83 and have had 25 of 45 gray radiation. Have aggressive prostrate cancer.Gleason scores 2-8's and a 9.Now they want to do the external brachtherapy. Doc. says I will be asleep and only (1) treatment was mentioned. My back is extremely painful ,I am afraid this has spread to my back.Is there a way they can tell if it is spreading? They say no,it is the lupron or arthritis.Am still worried.
Posted 12/25/2017 11:42 AM (GMT -5)
Vernon sorry for your worry and pain. Hang in there. Denis
Posted 12/25/2017 1:46 PM (GMT -5)
Vernon,

Welcome to HW. I think you will find a lot of support here. But by posting at the end of this thread instead of starting a new thread, fewer people will see it. I have taken the liberty of starting a new thread for you. Click on the link below.

/www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3958183

It is also a good idea to include a signature (My profile>Edit Profile>Signature) and your location (My profile>Edit Profile>location) so people can respond more accurately and with possible doctor suggestions for you.

Also check the two boxes below when you post that say "Notify me of reply postings by e-mail." AND "Include signature"
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