It’s aRT time in May

[kpminn]

I have met with my urologist/surgeon and the VA radiological oncologist in the last week. They both recommended that I start adjuvant RT within the next 6 weeks. My RP was Dec 18 so that will put me at the 5 to 5-½ month post op. VA protocol is 33 treatments over 6-½ weeks. Neither felt that concurrent ADT would have to be done considering my uPSA is <.006. That’s one reason I opted for the early aRT. I’ll gladly push ADT down the road til it’s justified. I’m very comfortable with the current plan and am very optimistic. I’m not looking forward to the 45 minute each way drive to the VA but it’s at least favorable weather. I really want to thank you all for the emotional support and knowledge you all have posted.

Best regards

Keith

[farmanerd]

Hope your treatment progresses with little side effects. Does it feel good to have the plan in place? I'm hopefully just a couple of weeks behind you. Keep us informed of how it goes.

[Hidden in reply to farmanerd]

Yes sir, once youre on a treatment path ,it’s better . Everything you do now should help you survive for many more years ... if you need to make dietary or exersize changes do them now and never quit. Let your da figure out your treatments... de stress any way possible .. anything to detour your brain from dwelling on his APC. bS .. take it easy ..

[Hidden]

Going down ol highway 61.. push APC out . It has no justification in killing us. Out last it brother . Good luck .

[kpminn in reply to Hidden]

Lu, I live 1/2 mile off highway 61. This time we won’t have no killin’ done, down on highway 61.

[Hidden in reply to kpminn]

That’s right Kojak! We ain’t going down with out a scuffle .

[Hidden]

Don’t fear the RT . It can work well .. and it will . Peace brother.

[cujoe]

KP, I had similar pathology (a bit lower gleason @ 7, but stage, etc. pretty close) and did 8 weeks adjuvant IMRT. My cancer center had an affiliated live-in facility about 1/2 mile from the treatment location, so my drive was like 5 mins door-to-door. I also had the option of taking a free shuttle bus. (It was like a Ronald McDonald House for big people. A truly great experience and every hospital/treatment center should have something similar.)

The treatments were mostly just a daily inconvenience, since in/out the door time was usually 30 mins or less. I didn't have any side effects that I could discern and also decided to not add ADT to the treatment plan. If you are taking any anti-oxidant supplements, you should consider stopping them during the treatment period. (I continued to take several supplements that research indicated to be protective to healthy cells and enhance the effects of radiation on cancer cells - as always do your own research.) If available via your treatment center, you might want to also consider a consultation with a dietician with radiation oncolocgy experience. The following is a good summary guideline for you to follow in modifying your diet and/or supplements. (reproduced from The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group website):

There is no evidence to support that antioxidant-rich, whole foods or drinks should be avoided during cancer therapy. It is believed that the level of any one particular antioxidant in a whole food is unlikely to interfere with treatment. The same cannot be said about high-dose antioxidant supplements.

Please inform all members of your oncology team if you do decide to take any vitamin, mineral, and/or herbal supplements during cancer treatment,. Your doctor, dietitian, and pharmacist can help you evaluate the quality of the advice, articles, or information from books, from the Internet, or from other practitioners. The most important thing is to engage your health care team to help you make the best choice for you.

I hope your treatment goes as well as mine. Good Luck & Be Well - cujoe

[kpminn]

Thank you for your encouraging words! I’m too close to the VA Medical Center (28 miles, 45 minutes) to qualify for any housing so I’ll have some crosstown drive time

[cujoe in reply to kpminn]

Understand. The place i stayed had a +50 mile qualification requirement. Put on the good tunes and enjoy the ride. Be Well - cujoe

[j-o-h-n]

''I’m not looking forward to the 45 minute each way drive to the VA"

Get yourself a blow up doll like my "DOLLY" belt her into the passenger seat and talk to her all the way to and from the VA. Just think you'll have 90 minutes of complete silence from a woman sitting next to you in the co-pilot seat. THAT'S HEAVEN MAN.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 04/07/2019 1:11 PM DST

[kpminn in reply to j-o-h-n]

And bonus, I’d get to drive in the HOV lane!!

[j-o-h-n]

Now that's funny - I completely missed that... You're on my team....

BTW I hate saying this but "thank you (and me) for your service... for me it wasn't a service it was serve or in the joint you go.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 04/07/2019 1:20 PM DST

[kpminn in reply to j-o-h-n]

We were killed in Vietnam

We just haven't died yet

[j-o-h-n in reply to kpminn]

YEPPERS PEPPERS...... Happy Trails.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 04/07/2019 3:57 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Huh. I served and went to the joint. I should get some kind of medal.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

Monte1111 <--------J-o-h-n licks thumb of fight hand and plants it on your chest (over your heart) and tells you to run home and show it to everyone before it dries....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 04/08/2019 2:44 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Yes. I could run home and show everyone my new medal .... and all of my new bone fractures.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

Leg fractures? Hmmmmm that's not good. Hopefully you were just messing with me.... If not.... you take care...- (and that ain't no laughing matter).... Sorry -

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 04/08/2019 5:07 PM DST