Post Chemo restaging CT Scan results, and Consultation Meeting outcome yesterday...

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Hi all, and Happy New Year...

I had my Consultation Meeting yesterday and my Oncologist was very pleased with my response to treatment and PSA level of 0.11... She said there had been expected significant shrinkage in all areas of my disease (primary tumour, lymph node, and periprostatic deposits), some areas to the point of undetectable... The main culprit (a 1cm periprostatic deposit anterolateral to the Bladder) that determined me having neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (Docetaxel) alongside my HT (Prostap) has shrunk more than adequately (to 3mm) allowing curative intent Radiotherapy to go ahead, thankfully...

The next stage is a Radiotherapy Planning Scan in approximately 2 weeks and then the Radiotherapy Treatment commences 4 weeks-ish after that... My Oncologist is a Radiologist-Oncologist so she will be planning everything off of the planning scan results... I'll be having Full Pelvic Treatment: either 4 weeks 60gy 20 Fractions (hypofractionated), or 7.5 weeks 74gy 37 fractions (conventional), depending on how complex my anatomy is looking on the plan, the longer timescale treatment if tricky...

Looking forward to getting this started now, but not so much the potential side effects, haha...

The NHS have been amazing so far, hopefully this continues...

All the best to all moving forward...

Jay

Millibob 2 months ago

Good Afternoon Jay (Eikcorb)

Thank you for the post and sharing your good news. It sounds very much like you have a great team and they are well on top of your condition.

Radiotherapy has come on in leaps and bounds and is now very targeted with the associated risks very much reduced.

Do keep up the good progress and keep us updated too.

Best wishes - Brian.

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mstev2 2 months ago

Good news!

Don't worry about the Radiotherapy too much.

I had the full 7.5 weeks, and the only problematic side effect was me hurting my back 2 weeks in. That was nothing to do with the radiotherapy but made the remaining treatments no fun.

It it hadn't been for the back I would have been good to go 2 weeks afterwards.

So long as you plan it properly you will be fine.

I am not sure what the hospitals are like in your part of the world, but parking was a nightmare in the one I attended. If I had known then what I know now I would have booked an early appointment to get there before the rush.

I hope it goes well.

Steve

Changed, but not diminished.

Amplitude 2 months ago

Hello Jay (Eikcorb )
I think you will find radiotherapy will be a doddle after what you have been through so far. Do you know what type of machine is planned for your treatment?

If you haven’t already seen it this might be worth a quick scan through…

"What do you wish you had known before starting Radiotherapy"

Good luck!

Eikcorb 2 months ago in reply to Amplitude

Hi,

I'm not sure about the type of machine but I'm fairly sure it's IMRT I'm having... Thanks

Jay

Eikcorb 2 months ago in reply to mstev2

Thanks for the info

Eikcorb 2 months ago in reply to Millibob

Thanks, will do

Carl28 2 months ago in reply to mstev2

^".....If I had known then what I know now I would have booked an early appointment to get there before the rush....."

Parking where I had my RT next to impossible and there was no question of choosing times! 6 minute apart slots and I was just given the schedule, varying from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. "Get here on time or don't bother!" Taxi or lift out, taxi or bus back!

Luckily not far away!

Dave.

Millibob 2 months ago in reply to Eikcorb

Hello Jay (Eikcorb)

A few hints with the Radiotherapy parking issue:

* Check with the Radiotherapy department about parking - I was at The Christie Oldham, we had a free gated car park for Radiotherapy.

* If you can use public transport - do.

* If you need to travel and need to ensure you have a reserved space, try one of the Apps (Just Park etc) where you can rent someone's drive or parking space near the hospital.