The journey begins

This was my experience with RT:

I had 37 sessions of radiotherapy and apart from the early start and the travelling it wasn't a problem. First I had to have a scan where they check the prostate and make 3 small tattoos so they can target the PCa correctly. They ask that you empty your bowels before hand and drink a bottle of water about 45-60 minutes before.

The radiotherapists were very good and told me well before hand when to drink the water so I wasn't waiting too long after having it. One thing I learnt from other men having the treatment was to take a bottle of water as the water in the drinking fountain was far too cold.

The treatment apart from dressing and undressing didn't take too long, about 2-3 minutes on the table. I was told that I might get some soreness at the rear end and to get some aqueous cream to relieve it. Fortunately I didn't get much soreness but the cream did help.

Hope all goes well, keep us all informed as you'll get a lot of help and support here.

Best wishes, Arthur

Dave, the full bladder lifts the bladder up out of the way of the prostate and the empty bowel goes flat and away from the prostate. Each is for the purpose of moving that organ out of the way of the radiation and accidental zapping. Some people have to drink less water (if the consultant wants the bottom of the bladder to be included in the zapping because there may be some spread there) or have a slightly fuller bowel to push the prostate up. Getting the position right is most difficult at the planning appointment - once you have your tattoos, it is a quick job for the RT team to line you up each day.

If your kidneys go into shock after 3 cups of water, how do you ever manage to go out for a pint or eat a bowl of soup??? More likely to be psychosomatic I think?

Well now one third of the way through, 7 sessions done out my 20 total. To some extent it has gone well, getting well into the daily routine, some sessions delayed for various reasons but others spot on time. Friendly helpful staff and a good bunch of fellow patients in the waiting area, we are getting to know each other well.
No problems with the water works, which is good as I thought I might be affected in that area, but good flow and not too many night trips for that reason. But I seem to be heading for bowel issues - last week had diarrohea and the specialist nurse told me to stop the laxatives. That seemed to sort it out for a while but yesterday had bad flatulence and tending to diarrohea again last night. I suspect it will get worse. I also have problems getting gas out of my system for the treatment sessions and a couple of times I have had to go for a short walk to clear it before I got on the table for a second go. Thursday this led to my bladder being 'too full', on Friday when they were actually running ahead of time my bladder was not full enough so it seems you can't win.
One thing seems certain, these 20 session treatments are going to finish a lot earlier than those of you on 37. On Wednesday I shall be able to say I am half way through!

Dave

Hi Dave,

When I had my RT back in 2009 my hospital were keen that I went on a low fibre diet, to minimise the effect of radiation on the bowel and prevent loose bowels and wind etc.

It is fairly easy, you just need to stop 'healthy eating' for a few weeks, cut out wholemeal bread, brown rice, green veg, fruit and salads.

You should eat white bread, white rice, pasta, with a little chicken and fish etc.

The diet sheet they gave me specifically recommended Jaffa Cakes!

:)

Dave 

Finished the 20 sessions on Wednesday, it seemed to go like clockwork towards the end having obviously sorted out getting my bowels and bladder just right for them. They certainly seemed to be having problems with their machine, on some days they had to reboot the system leading to delays of up to half an hour - and at the end of one of my own sessions they all swarmed into the room at the end and were so involved in twiddling knobs to get something set up that I almost got forgotten about. Last day was their maintenance day so we all had to go over to Reading for our treatment - identical machine, I made a comment that it might be a bit more reliable than the Bracknell machine, she laughed.

Some minor side effects, flow not as good as it could be but the bowels seem to be getting back to normal. No tiredness and now I don't have to go down there every day I am getting back to enjoying life again. And some great handshakes from fellow patients when we said our farewells.

Dave

Pleased all went quite smoothly for you. My husband due to start 20 sessions beginning of March. We went for planning session on Wednesday.ok but 2 days later can't even see where tattoos were done,we had mentioned our concern at the time as oh has black skin,bit worried,any thoughts?

The gold markers seem a good idea. I didn't have any tattoos but alignment marks were made on the body mold into which I climbed and was bolted in for each treatment session. The mold was in turn bonded to a frame that was screwed to the platform of the linac - a laborious process but one that ensured no movement. So another variation.

Well yesterday I had my 6 week check up with the oncologist. PSA was 0.23 or so, maybe not as low as some have had at this stage but she seemed very pleased. No more Prostap injections, it was planned just for a 6 month course based on my initial diagnosis so the one I was going to have this week is now cancelled. Bowels virtually back to normal, still some waterworks problems but they are definitely getting better and I am starting to have decent night's sleep. The body is very slow, but it is definitely going in the right direction. Another PSA test and appointment in six months time. Compared with some on here it seems I have been very lucky.

I will continue to monitor here from time to time but guess I have no real need now.

Dave

It's always good to have good news and your Psa score is excellent so soon after RT. My initial score was 0.5 and has fallen to 0.2 , so your'e doing well compared to me. It takes time for the body to recover from what you've been through, so don't push yourself too hard too soon. I recall a few months after finishing RT ŵhat would usually take me about 40 minutes to cut the grass was taking about 2 hours. I learnt that nothing really matters that much and doing usual chores over a period of time was fine. Now I'm back to 'normal ' I can't play the HT card too often now although the continuum of HT does still affect me from time to time. I'm quite envious that you have stopped Prostap.

Hopefully it won't be too long before you'll start to feel more like your old self again.

Regards,

John

The blood tests I have are - Creatinine & electrolytes, LFT, FBC, testosterone as well as PSA

Arthur

Just an update, had my latest appointment at Royal Berks. PSA risen very slightly to 0.4 but still very much what they call 'stabilised' so everything looking good. Next one in September. It was interesting re-reading all that I had posted on here over a year ago when I was having the RT and it is good to know that all that is now behind me. More significantly, whereas then I was popping to the little room 8-10 times during the night, and seeing all hours on the clock, I have now got that down to a far more respectable 2-3 trips, even oversleeping at times. Little things that say I am largely cured, and I have been far more fortunate than some of the others that post here. PC CAN be cured - provided it is caught in time.

Just back from my latest checkup. I was a little concerned that things may have gone the wrong way as I have had a few small issues with the waterworks lately (and an attempt to wean me off tamsulosin showed me very soon that I DO still need it). But I was very pleased to find my PSA is now 0.45 (as against 0.49 in March) so very much going in the right direction. And despite having virtually no libido the testosterone is back to normal levels. Next test in six months.

So encouragement to those who have just recently been diagnosed, PC CAN be cured...