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Brachytherapy going forward

User
Posted 15 Jan 2019 at 15:24

Hi Lads and ladies & Brachy Pals,

Just back from my latest oncology meeting at the Lister Hospital and after a good meeting they have extended my tests to one year so fingers crossed that 2019 could be a better year for us.

Hoping you all have a better year too.

Regards John.

User
Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 06:49

Hi all,

Just a small update I am 34 months on from Brachytherapy in September 2016 and six months into the 12 monthly blood tests and still feel a little worried about leaving the PSA tests that long.I had a chest infection a couple of months ago that laid me up in bed and had me really worried and of course thinking is it the cancer starting somewhere else.But i found after a course of antibiotics i did not realise that the infection had been making me feel rough for months before and I was thinking it maybe the after affects of the brachytherapy, and general stress I was having from other sources that made me so tired and having no interest in doing anything.

I still tune in every day to keep up and give input where i can but there seems to be very few members going for the Brachytherapy treatment at the moment so i am unable to comment on procedures i don't understand but wish you all well with your treatment.

John.

 

 

User
Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 07:03

I have my high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) in 2-3 weeks time, after I finish my radiotherapy.

User
Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 09:12

Hi Andy,

Good luck with your operation and don't worry about the procedure I found a lot better than i was expecting and was in and out of Mount Vernon in two days.

John.

User
Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 22:23
Hi John, just because the oncologist only wants annual PSA tests, that doesn't necessarily mean that you can't ask your GP practice for a PSA test at the 6 month mark. I suppose the issue is, if there was a little rise the onco wouldn't want to see you to discuss it and would say wait until the planned annual test and see what that says. So getting the in between test could just cause you unnecessary anxiety.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 25 Jul 2019 at 10:39

Hello John the Print, I am possibly 'Father of the LDR House' on this forum and like you. read the new posts every single day when in or out of the country. This posting is for you John and I want you to know my situation 10 years after diagnosis. Lyn the Matron is absolutely correct in advising you to seek mid year PSA Blood test results via your own G.P. which is exactly what I have been doing for almost 10 years now. I have just returned home from my GP practice with a print out of my blood test result taken on Monday 22nd July and can see that it is now 2.8 having been at 2.4 six months ago. I am due to see my much admired Consultant next week when we will discuss the need for further treatment or not. If you read my profile you will see my PSA history but in summary I am informing you that the lowest it has ever dipped to is 1.0 which is therefore my nadir. In my case the  Consultant is hinting at further treatment when my PSA reaches 3 but my input to this will be to suggest 5 which should take about another 3 years, fingers crossed on that, by which time I will be 78 years old. I play Golf 3 sometimes 4 times each week and have always kept a diligent eye on my weight which today comes in at 11st.11lbs.

John the Print and anyone come to that who would like any more information please feel free to contact me via prostatecancer.UK or by email direct.

John, you sound like a very nice man to me and I embrace you as a fellow LDR PCa survivor(so far.)

 

 

Edited by member 25 Jul 2019 at 10:41  | Reason: Spellling.

User
Posted 25 Jul 2019 at 15:00

Hi Michael,

Nice to hear from a fellow Brachytherapy member that goes back a few years before my procedure.I was lucky to have heard of brachytherapy before my diagnosis as a business friend had the procedure two year before my problems and i may well have gone for the radical procedure that the specialist was telling me was the best option.My friend had the all clear(as much as you can with prostate cancer)but i will never know if he beat it as he died of a heart attack just after he retired at 65.

I was happy at the meeting with the Brachytherapy specialist as he thought i was suitable for the operation and so far my PSA has dropped at each blood test to 0.22 in January.

Good luck with your next meeting with your specialist .

 

John,

 

User
Posted 19 Dec 2019 at 09:42

Hi All,

I decided to get my Psa test in before Christmas and my Oncology meeting in January to give me a little peace of mind as it's been a long year since i went over to 12 monthly tests.

I am really pleased to say that my Psa has dropped again to 0.18 from 0.44 in December 2018 this makes it 39 months on Christmas day since my Brachytherapy operation at Mount Vernon.

The last two years have been very difficult for us with elderly parent needing 24/7 care with many callouts day and night so i did not have much time to think about the Brachytherapy and if i was winning or not and it was a relief when she passed on in November 10 days before her 100th birthday.

Wishing all our members the best of luck with their treatments in 2020 and wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New Year.

 

Regard John & Pat.

User
Posted 19 Dec 2019 at 11:42

Great news on your PSA. All the best for Christmas and 2020.

 

Ido4

User
Posted 19 Dec 2019 at 19:23
Good to hear of your ongoing progress John. I am due a PSA test this month and a consultant appointment in January 2020 so fingers crossed. Most of the side effects of my brachy have gone away ( done in October 2018 ) apart from ED but I had that before the brachy in a milder form. I now have "wet" orgasms having been dry for 12 months. I suppose I can't complain being 77 years old.

Still taking Tamsulosin but only every three days.

John

Gleason 6 = 3+3 PSA 8.8 P. volume 48 cc Left Cores 3/3, Volume = 20% PSA 10.8 Feb '19 PSA 1.2

Jan '20 PSA 0.3 July '20 0.1 Jan. 21 < 0.1 Dec 21 <0.01 June '22 <0.01 April '23  <0.01

User
Posted 14 Jan 2020 at 13:48

Hi Guys,

I had my yearly oncology today at the Lister in Stevenage they seem happy with my  Psa 0.18 three years on from my Brachytherapy in September 2016. But i did speak to them about my  tiredness and lack of energy and could it be anything to do with my prostate treatment but they think it maybe because of the last two years looking after our elderly mother in law  24/7 call day and night and maybe also the chest infection i had in June this year.

So have been signed of for another 12 months get the wife's hip sorted then  a holiday in the sun.

Wish you all a better year.

John & Pat. 

User
Posted 22 Oct 2020 at 11:56

Hi Guys and Girls,

It's been a long year and the worry starts again as the dreaded blood test is due next month with the added problems of going to the hospital for it but prefer to get it out the way before Christmas.

But the good news is the wife is three months from her hip replacement and getting around very well, down to  only one stick to beat me with.

It still looks like travel to Europe in the van is off and any other travel so staying safe in the village is the future.

I try to log in every day to follow you guys and give helpful advice from the Brachytherapy side.

regards John.

User
Posted 22 Oct 2020 at 14:12

Hi John,

Great news about your wife doing so well after her hip replacement.

Always an anxious time with PSA tests.  Hope all goes well for you and Pat going forward.

Ange x

User
Posted 23 Oct 2020 at 09:52

Hi John, glad to hear your wife is doing well and down to one stick! 
Best wishes for your PSA test, the test anxiety never leaves us unfortunately.

Ido4

User
Posted 23 Oct 2020 at 11:40
Hi again John ... so pleased to hear the positive news about your wife. My wife may be starting on this journey as she is on co-codamol for the pain in her hip at the momwnt! The thought of a long wait for a replacement hip is not helpful.

Good luck with the next PSA test...my next one is due in Dec. It's currently 7.9 and rising slowly! Must try and be positive!!! I'm still here!!!

Regards Tom

User
Posted 23 Oct 2020 at 12:22

Hi John, my wife had 2 x hip replacements and is now nearly back to normal. My Brachy has worked well PSA well down. My motorhome hasn't been abroad this year at all, I usually go twice a year. My PSA test due Dec. has been postponed and a new date to be advised, I am not too worried, my PSA is so low I think moving to 12 months instead of 6 months won't be a problem.

ED is not so good, but it was not good before the Brachy, but now seems worse, the Caverject works but I have had a couple of "mishaps" resulting in a bit of bleeding/bruising so I am a bit wary now.

There was short period when the ED seemed to be much less of a problem but alas it didn't last long. My prostate has made heroic efforts to recover, it is now producing small amounts of thin ejaculate.

Roll on the Covid vaccine, I will be first in line!

John

Edited by member 23 Oct 2020 at 12:24  | Reason: Spelung

Gleason 6 = 3+3 PSA 8.8 P. volume 48 cc Left Cores 3/3, Volume = 20% PSA 10.8 Feb '19 PSA 1.2

Jan '20 PSA 0.3 July '20 0.1 Jan. 21 < 0.1 Dec 21 <0.01 June '22 <0.01 April '23  <0.01

User
Posted 25 Nov 2020 at 12:58

Hi Brachytherapy pals and their wife's.

I wasn't to happy going to the hospital for my blood test this week with all the Covid precautions but apart from having to stand in the corridor waiting for the test it was only about an hour in all and £3 50p for parking ouch.

I rang this morning with the normal worry head on to get my results as a year is a long time to wait and seemed worse as we have been locked down in the village since last April apart from food shopping once a week with Pat staying in the car because of her operations.

Well i am pleased to report a good drop again from 0.18 last year to 0.08.so maybe we can relax and celebrate Christmas for the first time in three years even if it's still at home and maybe plan for some travel in the Motorhome next year. Just the Ed to sort out next and maybe get some weight off.

Good luck with your own journey's Regards John.

 

 

Edited by member 25 Nov 2020 at 13:40  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 25 Nov 2020 at 16:02

Hi John, great PSA result. Hope you have a good time at Christmas.

 

Ido4

User
Posted 25 Nov 2020 at 16:13

Hi Idol,

Thank you mate it's been a heavy few years so hopefully we can all have a better Christmas with our loved ones if only for a few days.

Regards John.

User
Posted 26 Nov 2020 at 09:13
Congratulations 'John The Print',

Fantastic PSA Numbers.

My own PSA since the LDR back in 2010 never dipped under ONE but remains steady at 2.4 for which I remain grateful.

Brilliant encouragement from you for others hesitating on treatment paths.

Michael. aka 'Chigwell2010'.

 
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