Ok, time to deal with this!

[davhil2]

If you read my last posting, you will know I was diagnosed Jan 10. I'm one of the 'lucky' ones in that it is early, contained and I have options. The shock (more than I expected to be honest) of hearing my name and cancer in the same sentence has settled a bit and I am beginning to research and figure out best path forward for me. I've made an appointment with the oncologist for three weeks out and I want to be able to tell him exactly how I want to tackle this.

Haven't made any final decisions but the more I read, the more I am leaning towards brachytherapy. It seems the least intrusive, quick recovery and hopefully fewer side effects. It's effectiveness seems to be about the same as other procedures with the exception of surgery, however at least at this point, I'm not even considering that option. At my age (56) and health (excellent) it just seems to extreme.

Interested to know what other guys experiences have been with this procedure. I've read loads of encouraging stories here, and It's been a big help, thanks guys.

Wishing you all the best of luck, and great health. David

[Hidden]

Morning Davhil2 well I'm 8 months post 4D Brachytherapy and my last PSA was 0.9 before it was 5.6 so me nurse is very pleased that from the cancer point of view, it's not all been plain sailing as I had to have a procedure called TURP before I could have the seeds implanted as I had a week stream, not nice at all, then they found the procedure wasn't successful so had it again, by then very sore but this time it worked and was able to have the implants, I had 125 seeds put in, I was able to cope much better with this operation and no way as painful as the the others. I think I have been unfortunate as I have had cystitis for 7 months but it has eventually stoped, I have my 3rd PSA test next week and hopefully it will reduce even more, just to add I have not had the other side effects as you can get from other procedures, hopefully this may be of some interest and good luck.

[davhil2 in reply to Hidden]

Good morning Rob23 and thanks for your reply. This is very helpful and will add it to my research. I think I will most likely go your same route. Am scheduled for a test to make sure my flow is sufficient (hopefully won't need TURP, sounds rough indeed).

Thanks again for your good wishes and best of luck for continued success to you too.

[Roger2Dodger]

davhil2 ,

I was diagnosed with PCa a year ago, I have also been in a state of quandary making a decision of treatment, and what type. Yesterday, Feb. 1 I had my first radiation treatment. I

RapidArc® radiotherapy technology, developed by Varian Medical Systems, is an extremely fast and precise form of image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Image guidance improves tumor targeting, and IMRT shapes the radiation dose so that it conforms closely to the 3D shape of the tumor. This means more dose to the tumor, and potentially less to surrounding healthy tissue.

RapidArc’s image-guided treatment:

Delivers a complete IMRT treatment with one or two rotations of the treatment machine around the patient.

Can treat the entire tumor volume with the radiation dose during one revolution of the machine.

RapidArc involves varying (or modulating) the intensity of the radiation (in this case, high-energy x-rays) being used as therapy for cancer.

[Roger2Dodger]

Sorry, My comments posted before I was done. I had also considered brachytherapy, but I decided on the treatment I posted in the above comment. What ever you decide, I hope the best for you.

Regards,

Roger

[Hidden]

I'm also 56,started2yrsback, we did everything to get into no visible signs.Thebetter you treat you body from now on the better your outcome..What I'm saying is try natural; remediies, foods , springwater, to counter act any conventional treatments side effect..None of this saga will be pleasant for you..But if you are taking excellent care of yourself you won't feel at the mercy of the medical system.Do this and you wii do well. Best of Luck!!