Questions about radiation for prostate cancer: Can I drive myself?

Who is the radiation Oncologist at Loma Linda treated you. I might be a candidate for radiation soon. I live about 45 minutes from Loma Linda in Irvine , ca. My other choice is UC San Diego California Protons.

ava11, CA Proton the SD facility you refer to has my recommendation. The director trained at Loma Linda. I was there for a GI cancer five years ago. Carl Rossi is the prostate md. All he does is prostate proton, His experience is vast. If you are going for prostate, there is a dedicated oar surgeon Dr. Davis, with the experience of placing several hundred every year. La Jolla in April, before the crowds is another advantage.

I almost went to Loma Linda myself and am in Riverside county. After my research I went to UCLA to be treated on the MRIdian SBRT. My skin wasn’t so much as pierced. It can see all the soft tissue and tracks the prostate at 4-8x a second. Very low side effects, no balloons and high cure rate with that machine. It was super easy and I was back working after 5th treatment. All done in 7 days and back to life. It’s much newer tech, only bother side effects that didn’t last more than 2 weeks. It’s been a year and I feel better than pre diagnosis. Do yourself a favor and talk to UCLA, Steinberg or Kishan. They are pioneers and do much of the research.

Hallo ava11,
I received my Proton treatments at the UF Proton Center in Jacksonville, FL. We chose this cancer center for two primary reasons, the first being that they offered Proton which I had decided was the route best for me, and secondly, of the several cancer centers we visited, Dr. Bryant was the only physician to actually do an exam and equally as important, he was open to discussion yet firm in his treatment recommendation(s). I included the last component as we (my wife is a nurse) were baffled and frustrated by other RO's suggesting a treatment plan, but leaving it to me to decide which option I wanted (almost like picking one from column A and then go to column B, or perhaps look at 'C', whatever you want we will do. This was quite frustrating for us.
I will however say that my Mayo visit was virtual as their Jacksonville location did not offer Proton (supposed to have it in a few years), but their MN and AZ location apparently do offer Proton. This forum provided by Mayo has been extremely helpful, both before and after my treatments (Proton and ADT).
Please do not hesitate to ask questions, everyone here is very helpful..!!

I did MRI guided SBRT MRLinac at UCLA on the MRIdian machine. There was nothing to it. 30-45 minutes on the table with headphones and music while you watch the actual treatment. No markers, no balloons. I didn’t need ADT. 5 treatments over 7 days. It doesn’t get any easier. Treated by the Chair of RO Michael Steinberg. I stayed at the hospital for 10 days at their hotel with the wife in a nice area of LA. It was pretty much a vacation, we went out to eat with friends during the evenings. I drove myself home 3 hour drive the morning after 5th treatment and went back to work the next day with no issues. Any side effects were minor and didn’t last more than 2 weeks. It’s been almost a year since treatment now and I’ve never felt better. 90-95% chance of cure with my numbers. I highly recommend looking at the MRIdian. It tracks your prostate at 4-8x a second, can see all soft tissue and won’t fire if the prostate isn’t in target.

Thank You Kaspar. UCLA is also an option for me. I am retired, so I have time and if lower dose radiation for longer time has less side effects, that is probably better for me.