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Back on the Prostate journey

User
Posted 04 Feb 2025 at 17:32

Hi, I posted last year diagnosed Feb 24 Prostate Cancer, PSA 31, Gleason 4.3 commenced Hormone Rx Prostap Injection every 3/12 - elected for Radiotherapy.  Partial knee replacement in Mar 24. PET scan in May 24 picked up suspicious node in my neck. Long story short Radiotherapy delayed while I had a Thyroidectomy & Neck dissection (Sep 24) followed by Radioactive Iodine Rx (Dec 24) Whilst in hosp in Sep I had a PSA which read '2' I've had two further PSA tests, '8' (can't remember date) latest on 31 Jan 25 reads '13'. Radiotherapy planning CT scan just completed and my first Radiotherapy session (1 of 20) due to commence 19 Feb 25. Sorry this is a potted history but upturn in PSA is worrying. Any general advice what to expect / dealing with radiotherapy Rx would be welcome. Many Thanks

Carl  

User
Posted 04 Feb 2025 at 19:12

Hi Carl,

Your diagnosis is fairly similar to mine, PSA 36, Gleason 4+3 and T3BN0M0…although I wasn’t given a PET scan.

I was diagnosed in March 22, had 2 years of Prostap and 20 sessions of RT.
For me, and many others the RT was no big deal. Yes, you might have some short term side effects, and also long term you can develop problems, but the process of having the RT was no bother at all…especially when you compare it with 2 years of ProstapšŸ˜© 

The CT planning scan is straightforward…you’ve had your CT planning scan, have you also had gold marker seeds inserted into the prostate?

People get a bit stressed about the issue of enemas and bladder filling during the sessions but the staff are really wonderful and will guide you through the process. You’ll soon get into a routine.

if you’ve got a journey home in a car, it’s worth taking an emergency kit with you in case you need a pee. I would recommend buying a pee bottle from Amazon, taking a towel for your modesty(and to stop you getting arrestedšŸ¤£šŸ¤£), and some baby wipes…just in case you need to relieve yourself on the journey home and can’t find a toilet. Also get yourself a cancer card from McMillan or Maggies which should give you access to toilets.

some people get fatigued during RT, I didn’t and managed to keep walking and so on during treatment. Worth taking a few bits a pieces with you if you’re walking as you can have urgency to pee and poo and you may not have control of it. I even wore pads during the latter stages of treatment just in case.

Good luck and keep us posted

Derek

 
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