Begin SBRT Thursday 21st

Thank you Halbert
Spent a restless night getting up to use the bathroom every hour or so but did not have a BM after a few hours of sleep.
Hopefully the runs have stopped.
Pain in joints still present but took my buprenorphine and Tylenol.
Feel okay so going back to sleep

Glen

Congrats on your progress, Glen!

Djin

Took Metro-North upstate to our place in Wappingers Falls. Thank goodness the train has a restroom. I emptied out via BM 6 times. My friend picked me up and after the 7 minute drive home, I had to go again.
I was able to pick up food items at the supermarket (Hannaford) and made it home again only to have 2 BM's

Good part is I lost about 5 pounds. I do feel very tired and somewhat weak. I'll pick up the steroid "dose pack" tomorrow. I feel shaky or nervous on them but if it helps with the voiding part, then it is worth it (it did work last week) I doubt it will help with the run's but maybe it will.
I'll take advice and just rest. My wife wants me to go to Home Depot to order some small carpets and she wanted me to bake her apples (I have the patience to bake them down to "crispy critters" which means baking a few hours at 225 degrees then cutting back to 215 degrees for several hours and leave set overnight.
(She likes them as a snack with a crispy feel and baked with cinnnimon)

I guess the run's will get better. I'm okay dealing with them but of course would rather not because they limit my comings and goings. (Hmmm-mm" was that a play on words?)

G

Thanks Cyclone

I hope you are doing well. As time goes by I want to add my story and offer up what ever it is that I have to assist others. Right now and leading up to my treatment I feel I was taking more then giving.
This forum has been a beacon of hope as well as extremely informative. I have added to the chronic pain section which is why I first came to Healingwell.
So as time goes by I plan on sticking around even after treatment (and hopefully cure) is over.

G

3,625 was my SBRT fraction number
IMRT was 1,600. Which I had stopped due to severe urinary retention
Doctor said I had intermediate grade Pca T1c
Just reviewing notes.

Glen

Thanks pratoman. I'm not really up on numbers and fractions but hope anything I add can help someone.
I have lost another 5 pounds and think it is because of the steroids making me urinate a lot.
I'm back to a forceful stream and go often.
I hit 245 the lowest in 25 years. I guess it could be the radiation as well.
Still have loose stools and it's very odd looking. My guess is that the rectum had some burning and it's tissue coming out.
Painful but not very painful just a burning
I feel better and had my testosterone injection today. Tough ride home by subway as I felt the urgency to void. Made it home in time.

Glen

Congratulations on ringing the bell! Best luck ahead.

Took last steroid dose just now.
The burning upon voiding is more painful and I'm not drinking enough water. Catch 22 because I know hydration is important but I don't want to have run to the bathroom so often.
I suppose it'll take time to heal but this increased burning really hurts.
Maybe I'll try the OTC Azo or whatever that name is.
Less BMs so that's a positive.

Glen

Thank you. Sounds like it has pyridium in it. I have used pyridium and it has that orange hued colors.
It did help as I can remember.
I called Doctor but await his call back. I'm not sure if He will prescribe another steroid dose pak
Not good for the body but it is helpful.

I Will get back on more water this evening but I have to travel two hours and don't want to deal with going to the bathroom so often

Glen

Yes thanks

Doctor wrote another steroid dose pak but wants to talk.
I missed the call

After surgery, the last thing I wanted was difficult BM’s for obvious reasons when your abdomen has been ripped up so I stayed on Miralax for a few weeks to avoid straining then slowly reduced it. You have a different situation but you might find it helpful for a while until you recover.

Glen, I’ve tried several over the counter remedies for constipation and nothing works better for me than Miralax and colace. I continue to take colace daily and add the Miralax whenever I anticipate an issue. Oftentimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference. Terry

One idea -- mark your calendar, each time your take your medications.

For me --- building in a consistent time of day for my medication really helps --- first thing in the morning, bedtime, right after lunch --- whatever is best. Build that routine, and strive for consistency.

Going forward --- treatments are over, so --- as much as possible --- start building new experiences. Work on that project, listen to music, read that book, watch that favorite movie, go for that short walk, fix that special meal, call that old friend ...

Yes, with radiation --- the true benefits and dividends may not be revealed for weeks or many months.

Time is now your friend ---- in terms of healing ---- energy restoration --- improved digestive system issues ---- and improved lab results.

I just received news of the lowest PSA result I have had all year. My oncologist is allowing me to skip my trip to the lab in early December. Since my diagnosis in 2013, I have visited the lab every single month.

My radiation treatments were months and months ago --- the benefits are still being seen and revealed --- all these months later.

Here's to health, healing, and looking forward ~~~

CYCLONE - # Iowa State University