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← Return to First Pluvicto Infusion Soon
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My wife Becky and I are in about the same place that Lee and her husband were when she made her first post in September. I showed it to Becky and she said "That sounds like me". I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate five years ago, I have had radiation treatment and chemo, and now I have been advised to go with Pluvicto. On Jan 7 I will see the Pluvicto guy to discuss it. Lee's post and the responses are very helpful. I was unaware of the need for genetic testing, I suppose it will be part of the Jan 7 discussion.
I am hoping to get a better understanding of the danger I will pose to others once I start radiating. For example, if it is safe to have a five minute conversation with me if I stay three feet away, that does not mean it is safe to be a few feet, say three, six or ten, feet from Becky day in and day out through the 36 weeks of treatment. Ok, I stay away for a few days right after the infusion but that still leaves many days of being sorta close. Becky and I belong to a book club that meets for an hour every month. I am not comfortable deciding that I am safe for others at the table just because someone said so. I guess I am looking for some data, and some background info to understand the data. The danger to others is a function of how much I radiate, how close the others are, how long they stay close, and what shielding I could using. Living together is different from a brief casual encounter. As Becky and I see it, a geiger counter might be useful. But basically we seek explicit information. about the danger I will pose.
Thanks, Lee, for your post.
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Ken and Becky, I think I know what you are going through. I sure learned a lot from this group. In addition to that, there is a wonderful nurse in the infusion clinic who is always available to answer any questions. My husband had his first infusion October 3 and scans October 4 and the 7th. I did not go with him to the infusion, but chose to drive with him for the scans. I was so worried about being in the car with him, but the nurse and radiation oncologists “assured “ me that if I was 3 feet away and my drive was only about 30 minutes it would be fine. I am sure many folks would disagree with that, but I did it and I am glad I did. It seemed to help with the anxiety I was having. I have to admit, though, as silly as it sounds, I did not walk next to him in the hospital and we took separate elevators! Crazy, huh?
I read the Pluvicto guidelines from various top centers and most of them referenced the 3 and 7 day guidelines. I was anxious because of what the men who used the geiger counters were saying. However, after reading the post from Colleen, one of the moderators here, I knew that if we used one, it would add more to my anxiety, which I did not need. I read a post from a man who documented what he found with the radiation levels by using the geiger counters. He said after the second week his radiation was very minimal. Based on that, we extend the 3 day rule to 7 days. My husband has his “man cave” and keeps himself busy. The next 7 days we are together. If we are watching TV, etc, we are 3 feet apart and we use separate bathrooms and bedrooms. I know this is beyond what is needed but that is the approach that I am most comfortable with. After the second week, everything is back to normal. We try to enjoy the next 4 weeks before we start this all over! I will say, the infusion nurse told me the way we handle it is not necessary. It is what we are comfortable with, though.
My husband will have his third infusion the day after Christmas. So far all is going well. We appreciate the good results he has had so far, but we know results might change from infusion to infusion. His main side effect is some fatigue, but he is still on Zytiga which doesn’t help that.
I hope this helped a bit. Feel free to send me a personal message if you think of anything you would like to ask me.
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