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Starting treatment

Peter r
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Good morning.

Had my Spaceoar treatment on Monday, if the rest of my journey is as comfortable as that, I’ll be a happy man.  Done under general anesthetic in the theater, no discomfort or lasting effects from the anesthetic.

I go for my radiation planning on the 19th.

I had the ADT injection just over 3 months ago, the side effects are manageable, but I could do without them.  As my ‘proper’ treatment approaches I’m starting to get a little nervous now, I think it’s going to be 20 sessions over 4 weeks, I’ll know for certain on Thursday.

I’ve been told my cancer is ‘pleasingly’ organ confined and hasn’t gone on tour, so I’m optimistic for a full cure. Everything should be over and done with by the end of October and it will just be the waiting for blood test results.

I’ve made major life style changes includinggoing vegan cutting out alcohol and started a ( light ) weight lifting regime, walking more every day, though the ADT does restrict me a little because of balance.

At 73 I’m aiming for another 10 years with a reasonable quality of life, I don’t think that’s a lot to expect, though I may have to give up my hobby of juggling with chain sawsBlush.

I’ll post again in October.

Best wishes everyoneThumbsup

  • in reply to Peter r

    The fear of it not working is common for all treatments and we all anxiously await the results of scans and blood tests. With radiotherapy it can take many months to reach the lowest PSA point, usually 18 but it could be longer. Radiotherapy is extremely effective at killing off the cancer but remember to report anything and everything to the technicians during your treatment as they are well versed in helping you to get through it as easily as possible so all the best for the next few weeks. If you find that your PSA starts to rise in the future then there are plenty of options to deal with it.

    I can remember that we have one member whose husband had the Space Oar so I have tagged her in but you can also read their story by reading their profile.  

  • in reply to Peter r

      that’s the first hurdle over. The next stage is very monotonous and your involvement is just to get yourself in the correct physical state each day (no wind mainly) and then just lie back and enjoy.  Seriously, report anything you are worried about and good luck with the boredom.  Best wishes, David

    Best wishes, David

    Please remember that I am not medically trained and the above are my personal views.

  • in reply to Alwayshope

    Hi Aw, hope alls well for you.

      Hi I’m sure all will be well and you will get that extra 10 years on top. SpaceOar seemed excellent at keeping Mr Bw’s bowel happy. RT is incredibly targeted and straight forwards. A year later Mr Bw is ticking over nicely with HT. apart from a bit of fatigue his life seems normal. 
    Hope it goes well for you.

    LSlight smile

  • in reply to BW

    Thanks for coming back on this Lorraine. Glad to hear all is good with you.

  • in reply to freefaller

    Many thanks for the reply. I was diagnosed a week before my 73rd birthday, so a similar age to yourself.  My PSA was 10.7 and the Gleason score was 7 4+3. I didn’t have a DRE but went straight to the MRI scan which confirmed a lesion which hadn’t broken out of the capsule.  I then had that wonderful biopsy which identified the extent of the cancer, I’m T2 apparently.

    The fact that you’re now 81 and cancer free has gone a long way to allay any fears I had of not being cured, so thanks for replyingThumbsup.

    Best wishes, Peter

  • in reply to Alwayshope

    Many thanks for the reply. I visited the blog that you suggested about the space oar, very detailed, thanks for that.

    with all of the excellent advice I’ve received from the forum about my RT I’m more confident now.  Again many thanks.

    Best wishes, Peter.

  • in reply to David2017

    Many thanks for the reply David. Being retired for more than 8 years I’m well practiced in the art of boredom/monotony and I’m sure I’ll wander off somewhere sunny while I’m in the ‘polo’.

    Again, thanks for the advice.

    Best wishes, Peter.

  • in reply to BW

    Hi, Thanks for the reply.  I’m glad Mr BW is doing fine.  The help I’ve had since I started in the forum has gone a long way, taking me from that despair at the confirmation of the cancer to realizing it’s not the end of a normal life and you have to keep your optimism.

    I read your excellent profile and it made me realise that maybe I should be aiming for 15 or 20 years more ( my Mum was 93 when she passed away ). Again, thanks.

    Best wishes. Peter

  • in reply to Peter r

    Glad to hear I could be of some help.  All the very best to you.  Keep us informed of your progress.

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