I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about

Know exactly what you want?

Show search

Notification

Error

External Beam RT and HDR Brachytherapy - my path

Email this conversation Print this conversation

User

Posted 09 Mar 2023 at 08:16

Well done Andy - we both had similar treatment & things went OK for me, too.
I hope this helps people at the start or diagnosis of this illness.
HT & RT takes longer, but no surgery being involved, was a big plus for me.

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 14:09

My next 6-monthly PSA test has just come in at 0.04, so it hasn't changed in just over a year which I'm obviously very pleased with. This marks 5 years since my original PSA test which kicked all this off, and 4 years since my radiotherapy. I feel very lucky, but also a sense of survivors guilt. I am in a much better situation than I ever imagined at the outset, while also being only too well aware I was a high risk patient, and recurrence is always a possibility.

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 14:25

Brilliant new Andy, long may it continue for you.😊

My anxiety levels are building up a bit to my 3 month post RT PSA test on 14th August. It was 0.9 before RT, just hope it’s come down a bit from that But I really don’t know what to expect.

Derek

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 15:06

Andy , great news, no need to feel guilty, many of us have benefitted from what you and other members have brought to this and other forums.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 15:40

Great news Andy long may it last,I am at 6 years ten months with a PSA test due next month.I feel the same as you with guilt about doing so well and having so little problems over the years.

I still sign in every day to offer advice to members that have or are thinking about brachytherapy.

John.

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 16:12

I too suffer from survivor's guilty as you put it. You may have noticed I am quite active and every now and then I respond to any questions men/wives/partners ask about prostatectomy and living with its side effects. My wife and I feel that we have been extremely lucky to have survived and still enjoying our life together following surgery over 12 years ago. My wife always edits my writing before I post a message and makes sure that it has the right tone. When I was diagnosed robotic-prostatectomy was in its infancy and there was very little help before and after my treatment. My surgery lasted over 6 hours and very difficult and the recovery wasn't any easier. Facing this disease can be a very lonely business and forums like this provides a comforting place to talk to one another.

'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.' Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 16:25

Great news Andy. I definitely have sympathy for those in a worse position, but don't feel guilty, it's not like we kicked someone else out of a lifeboat on the Titanic to grab our own place. It's bad luck to get PCa and good luck to get cured.

Dave

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 16:36

Bravo!

Try to avoid the survivors' guilt thing - you were there in that situation and now you give back ten-fold. If anyone should feel a pang of remorse it is the person who recovers from a life threatening situation and then causes only harm to others with their life.

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

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 16:42

Please, nobody feel guilty! It’s too early for me to know what my future holds but what I DO know is that you guys that have been through it and come out the other end with positive conclusions keep me going and looking forward to the future with hope. This forum has been a fantastic support to me and helped me cope with this awful disease. I do feel compassion and sympathy for those who’s outcome is not so good, but it could be any one of us in the future, and this forum will help us get through whatever the PCa throws at us.

Good Luck to everyone of us…and for all those wives/partners of PCa who are members, I admire your bravery and courage to come on here and engage in the many discussions we have.

Derek

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 17:35

Fantastic new Andy.

Ido4

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 18:19

Fantastic news Andy 👍

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 19:50

Thank you Andy, your email mail box is full so my PM thanks have bounced back.

Steve

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 22:42

Well done Andy!

I'm sure you know this definition but I feel it's worth quoting, although it's for LDR Brachy so guess that HDR must be similar.

A Biochemical Definition of Cure after Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer.

Since 98.7% of patients with PSA ≤0.2 ng/mL at 4 years after LDR prostate brachytherapy were disease-free beyond 10 years, we suggest adopting this biochemical definition of cure for patients with ≥4 years’ follow-up after LDR brachytherapy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7442607/

User

Posted 25 Jul 2023 at 23:59

I hadn't come across this paper, but I've now saved it away. It is interesting. I was thinking this may not apply equally to HDR because because high risk patients (in the UK at least) don't get offered LDR, so most of those having HDR will be higher risk of recurrence in the first place (like me). However, the paper does say its results apply regardless of risk. It does also briefly mention Brachytherapy boost and HDR, but that's not what its results are based on.
Thanks.

User

Posted 26 Jul 2023 at 02:11

Thanks for posting your ongoing good news Andy. Roughly in sequence Dave, you, gaz and myself have successfully gone through RT, in slightly different forms, and come out the other end with results that indicate we have a good chance of staying cancer free for many years [or more :-)].

If results like yours and this thread encourage people who have doubts about having their cancer treated, then you can give yourself a pat on the back and try to get rid of that guilt :-)

Jules

User

Posted 26 Jul 2023 at 08:58

Great news Andy, really pleased for you. And like others have said absolutely no guilt should be felt. I honestly believe no matter what anyone’s situation is on this forum when we read good outcomes and stories like yours we just feel genuine happiness for you. It also gives lots of hope to everyone knowing that it is possible to be ok after a PCa diagnosis 👍

User

Posted 26 Jul 2023 at 09:56

Great post really pleased for andy but I also suffer with guilt I know where he is coming from and the fear off reaccurance never goes away I am a shadow off the person that was diagnosed a few years ago but try to carry on the best I can in the circumstances but it has been really challenging I really salute those like Phil and others that are constantly battling this horrible desease they are the real heroes gaz 👍

User

Posted 31 Dec 2023 at 09:34

4½ years after RT, I found myself peeing blood. It wasn't fresh blood (not bright red) and it only happened once. I have some dip sticks at home and so next time I peed, I tested it, and although it looked fine, the dip test did show microscopic blood. Tested again next day, and no blood. Obviously, this is not unexpected after RT, but not having happened since the RT (and back then it was microscopic), it was a bit of a shock.

A few days later, I ejaculated for the first time since then, and stale blood in that just like after a biopsy (but not as bad), and has been for a week or so since, although it's become more diluted since. No more in urine. So it looks like the blood came from my prostate. It would be more worrying if it came from bladder or kidneys, but that doesn't seem to fit with the symptoms.

I'm due a oncology consultation in a month's time, so I'll mention it then.

Interestingly, 4½ years after RT is the peak incidence of late onset rectal bleeding. As you may recall, I've had that side effect since 5 months after RT, although minor and no impact on QoL, so it's never bothered me. Ironically, over the last few months, that's been diminishing and is now only happening about once a week (and so far this week, not at all).

Edited by member 05 Jan 2024 at 14:44 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 31 Dec 2023 at 10:12

Morning Andy

I hope whatever the cause, its easily sorted out. Having taken the surgery option, I have no idea of the side effects you lad's who had radiotherapy, suffer from.

I just wanted to wish you well. You've been a great help to me.

Adrian

Edited by member 01 Jan 2024 at 08:36 | Reason: Typos

User

Posted 31 Dec 2023 at 10:33

Sorry to hear this Andy, I hope you can get it sorted out. I’m only 8 months since the end of RT. I see you had treatment to the whole pelvic area which my Onco didn’t want to do as he thought there was too much risk of permanent damage to the bowel.
Although I’ve not had many issues with the bowel, I did have an ‘accident’ whilst out walking last week…my bowel just decided to evacuate and there was NOTHING I could do about it. I was furthest away from home and had just left the Fife Coastal path and in amongst houses and getting the bus back! I had gained so much in confidence with these side effects that I didn’t carry my emergency kit with me! My kit is with me every time now I am out walking or on my ebike. It was quite distressing at the time but now I can laugh about it…I find it’s the only way to keep me sane.

I really appreciate all the knowledge you impart on this forum…it’s been a great help to me.

All the best for 24!

Derek

Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.