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Brachytherapy going forward

User
Posted 31 Mar 2017 at 09:49

Thanks Lyn Jonsan Dave.

This is only the forth day of not taking the Tam and the waterworks seem OK and I only got up three times in the night but that is much the same as before the operation,The main reason to stop taking them was I was hoping to take out some of the side affects if any but not sure what they are apart from what the leaflet in the box says and of course my mind will think i have a few of them apart from the permanent erection one.I must say I do feel less tired today but that could be because of the less wine last night and better sleep so the next pill I would like to reduce is the blood pressure tablet but may have to discuss that with the doctor next week.Just the blue pills to work on next maybe the doctor will up the dose if i as him nicely.Thanks for all the replies it does keep the spirits up.

 

Regards John.

User
Posted 31 Mar 2017 at 12:27

John stopped the Tamsulosin ages ago but always carries a couple of tablets in his wallet.

Not sure they would be very useful in an emergency but it makes him feel safe!!

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 01 Apr 2017 at 15:45

Hi Jonsan,

I think I will do the same and save some up to travel with in Europe just in case, It's nearly a week with out them so fingers crossed we may be winning.

Have you any idea how long they have been doing Brachytherapy as i think i read some where they used to do the early operations by open surgery.

 

John.

User
Posted 01 Apr 2017 at 17:02

Not actually sure John but a quick Google search says that originally used in the 70s but ti wasn't particularly successful then because of the difficulty placing them accurately. Then in the late 1980s early 90s TRUS and template biopsies made it possible to place them better.

Of course, that may be an American site and it may be different. I don't think they have been doing that long in this country though.

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 01 Apr 2017 at 19:35

Apparently they have been putting radioactive seeds into tumours since 1917 so this is their centenary! After the war they did used to use open surgery to place the seeds but then they learned to use ultrasound in the late 1960s.

It seems the main reason it fell out of favour for a while was that the medical staff (unprotected ... different times I guess) were getting ill from radiation exposure.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 09 May 2017 at 10:25

Hi

I have just got my latest Psa results from my oncology nurse as i did not want to wait for my next appointment at the end of June and it's down again to 0.59 from the Psa 2.19 at my operation in September.

I also stopped taking the Tamulosin on the 27 of April and so far have no problems passing water so lets hope my next appointment in June is not canceled again.

 

John

User
Posted 09 May 2017 at 13:25

Well done John. Long may it continue eh ?

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 09 May 2017 at 15:23

Thanks Johsan

 

Lets hope it keeps going down.

Regards John.

User
Posted 09 May 2017 at 15:31

Great news John

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 09 May 2017 at 15:35

Thanks Lyn,

Just the specialist to see at the end of June and then I can plan a holiday.

Regards John,

User
Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 11:10

Hi all,

Just a small up date after my latest appointment with the hospital team,i was a little disappointed that i have still not seen my Specialist but it does say that you may be seen by any member of the Consultants team and i did get some of my questions answered about my last MRI and CAT checkup scans but nothing has been written up about them so i can assume that all was well with the results, I also told them i had taken myself off of the Tamulosan in April and they seemed fine about it.

But the good news is my next PSA blood test will be in January 2018 so we will try to get some traveling done before then and maybe try to put the last year behind us.

Regards John.

 

Edited by member 28 Jun 2017 at 14:11  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 13:34

Good news John.
We have been fairly lucky in that we usually see John's consultant,with only one exception so far.
John had his PSA taken yesterday ready for his annual checkup next week so fingers crossed for us to.

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 13:54

Thanks Johsan,

I wish you luck with the tests it's been a long year for us but even longer for you.

 

John.

User
Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 17:17

Great to hear the positive news, John. We are following similar paths, although my Brachytherapy was at the end of January 2017 and my next appointment at The Christie is set for October. Enjoy the travelling!

Good luck for next week, Johsan. My fingers are crossed for yourself and John!

Tom 

User
Posted 29 Jun 2017 at 09:52

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your reply it's nice to hear about other people  on the Brachytherapy roads and i am reasonably happy with results but still not over happy with not seeing my Specialist again to get all my questions answered after the last one being canceled, and being sent to the original Doctor that performed  the first biopsy. She had no notes on me so turned out to be a wasted appointment apart from a new date for the last blood test.

At my latest appointment I saw one of the team i had not seen before and of course asked about my post operation MRI & PET scan and where they ok and had any seeds been lost etc and her reply was i have nothing in your notes so it must be ok and they are only taken for their own review, she could not tell me how many seeds i had and just about gave me my TNM staging.

As you talk about in your blog about passing seed it does make me think  if you loose any seeds early does that mean that one or more of the cancers is not getting the full dose of treatment.

It maybe me but am i trying to over think the the whole job or should i try to get more information.Ok my PSA is dropping and thats good any ideas or should i just trust them unconditionally.

 

John. 

 

 

User
Posted 07 Jul 2017 at 17:24

Hi John … apologies for the slow response.

You certainly do seem to be struggling to get answers to your questions from the relevant staff. I’m fortunate in being treated at The Christie in Manchester, a leading cancer hospital. However, I too have to ask for information, it’s not automatically volunteered!

I believe it’s important to know how many seeds were implanted and that they all stay in place and not leave or wander to somewhere else in your body. As you suggest, loss of a seed could leave that particular area of the prostate exposed?

I too find it easy to worry about the future, but my wonderful wife soon  tells me to be positive and of course she is 100% correct.

Compared with some of the cases we read about on this amazing forum, we are very lucky. Our prospects for the future are very encouraging.

Regards Tom         

User
Posted 08 Jul 2017 at 09:24

Hi Tom,

You are so right we are a lot luckier than other guys on here and i think I must get the information as and when i can but it does help that my next blood test is in January so we can get away from the three monthly checks.

I feel that as i am not seeing the original specialist maybe he thinks i am winning so has passed me down to one of his team as a less serious case, but i would still like all the information if only to tick off some of my own worries.

Keep well Tom Regards John.

User
Posted 25 Sep 2017 at 11:27

Hi all,

Just a little catch up with you all and hoping you are still fighting the good fight.

I have reached my 12 months today from operation and so far all sees pretty good, ED could be better but i keep takin the pills and hope things  will improve with time but age may be against me at 71,

We are booked on the tunnel next week to tour Europe for a few months and try to get away from the over thinking of the situation.

I will still be online with any advice i can give on Brachytherapy If very little as i feel a bit of a fraud with my easy run compared what some of you are going through.

 

Regards John.

User
Posted 25 Sep 2017 at 18:40

Well my John is like you and feels a fraud too.

Good luck with the holiday and congratulations on reaching your year anniversary!! Well done

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 26 Sep 2017 at 07:50

Hi Johsan,

Thanks for that hope you and John are doing well too.

John.

 
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