HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Newly Diagnosed 3+4

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2 3
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/10/2021 9:59 PM (GMT -5)
Glad to have begun treatment. Began HT on 8/28 (Darolutamide). PSA was 4.73 in late July. At first check 9/23, PSA was 1.50 (in the INTREPID research study I have monthly blood draws and MO appointments). Had SpaceOar and fiduciaries inserted on 9/21 with the RT planning 9/28. Treatment began 10/6. Course of treatment will be 60Gy in 20 fractions of 3Gy each using VMAT/IGRT. So far (3 treatments), no symptoms from either the HT (save maybe feeling a little hot at night occasionally) and no symptoms from RT yet. Will keep you guys posted if there any changes in the SE situation. Again, thanks for all you guys do/share. It is really helpful to have along for the journey with you!!
Posted 10/11/2021 7:26 AM (GMT -5)
All the very best to you, JoeBos!

Djin
Posted 10/11/2021 8:22 AM (GMT -5)
Good to hear how everything is falling into place for you. Thanks for the update.
Michael
Posted 10/11/2021 8:58 AM (GMT -5)
Glad you're off to a good early start! I hope the HT continues to be manageable for you. It was certainly the most difficult part of m treatment.
Posted 10/11/2021 9:08 AM (GMT -5)
Good luck with the treatment!
Posted 10/15/2021 12:07 PM (GMT -5)

Hello, JoeBos ----

You have done your due diligence, looked at treatment options --- and consulted with a noted cadre of experts at Dana Farber Cancer Center.

Glad to hear you are knocking out those radiation treatments!

Treatments are brief --- those radiation technicians are TREMENDOUS --- but it's ALWAYS great walking out of the treatment center each FRIDAY --- knowing you have the weekend to REST, RELAX, and REBOUND!

I had 45 radiation treatments --- nine weeks' worth. One of my favorite lakes is near the treatment center, so I walked there after each treatment.

Those "lake walks" kept me focused, motivated, and UPLIFTED!

When weekends rolled around, I chose a different restaurant --- and enjoyed a meal or take-out each weekend. Nine weeks of radiation --- nine different restaurants!

Many radiation technicians will play your favorite MUSIC for you, during the treatments. Ask for that! Music really helps!

They also said if I showed up in track pants (no zippers) and a t-shirt, I could avoid having to switch into those dreaded hospital gowns.

One more thing --- try to build in a little exercise each day. A daily walk will boost energy, as treatments continue.

My radiologist wisely stated, "The day you don't feel like walking, is THE day you need to walk the very most."

I'm CHEERING YOU ON, JoeBos, as your treatments continue.

Day by day, you are getting those treatments KNOCKED OUT!

It's a meaningful day --- finishing up that last treatment!

Crank that movie theme song from "ROCKY" on that day!

All my best, from here in the Midwest ~~~
CYCLONE -- # Iowa State University
Posted 11/4/2021 2:42 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks to all for the encouraging posts!!

RT completed on 11/03. If there were any side effects, they were undetectable, so far. Over the 20 days I needed to drive downtown for treatments, it was like going to a part time job - the radiation therapy team in Radiation Oncology at BWH were great! Very professional, very friendly and virtually always on time (which is important when you have to drink about a liter of water in prep for each treatment 😉). Aside from the driving and traffic, if you have to go through treatment, it was a nice experience and I would recommend that team to anyone. Still have another 3.5 months of HT (Darolutamide under the INTREPID Trial) but that is producing virtually no detectable SE's - save maybe a bit of breast tenderness. All in all, I feel very blessed and am very thankful!!
Posted 11/4/2021 2:52 PM (GMT -5)
...a couple of things that I forgot to mention...I was wondering if the RT and HT were doing anything since there were basically no SE's (except small amount of urinary discomfort and added frequency). Only really noticeable changes were in PSA. It went from 4.73 to 1.50 in the first month of HT and was at 0.75 about half way thru RT (2nd month HT). Only other effects were a slight decrease in minerals in blood (Na and K) most likely due to increased water intake and a slight increase in ALT/AST most likely due to the Darolutamide. Added some Gatorade and cut back on my weekend cocktails and wine. Will see in a couple of weeks when I go in for my monthly INTREPID clinical trial blood draw.
Posted 11/4/2021 3:19 PM (GMT -5)
Congrats on finishing! It's a bit of a slog, but you seem to have come through pretty easily. Regarding your PSA, it will take a while to get a post treatment number. First off, the ADT is suppressing it. At the same time, the RT stirs it up--I recall my doc said that he wouldn't even take my PSA during my RT since the info wouldn't be all that helpful. That said, I presume you'll have at least one more post-RT reading while you're still on ADT.

Best of luck in the months ahead and hoping you get good PSA news once you come off ADT.
Posted 11/4/2021 4:58 PM (GMT -5)
Congrats on reaching the end of one road and the beginning of what will surely be a better one.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
123