Had my first of 5 accelerated dose SBRT sessions yesterday. No side effects except for vague rectal pressure/burning and the urge to void even with an empty bladder. The whole thing was rather impersonal; two techs (both seemed new to the department) fumbled there way through my vitals (with nary a pleasantry or exchange of names); pointed me to a local room to change (without telling me where
to find the clean gowns) and instructed me to have a seat after in a waiting area where except for myself and one other patient everyone else was sitting in street clothes). Ugh.
The RO technician was pleasant (I had met him at the simulation appointment a week before) but to my surprise I never saw the Radiation Oncologist (whom I’ve only met through a telehealth consultation) though he was reference by the tech as “checking my position from the images” before the RT was initiated (Viewray MRIdian system). I drove home (120 miles = 4 hour in heavy afternoon west coast traffic) after the treatment was over (bladder discomfort but no voided urine). 1 down 4 to go. I presume the after effects of XRT will hit after the 3rd or 4th treatment just as my first dose Depot Lupron (given 9/10) really begins to kick in. Certainly leaves one more appreciative of previous good health, often taken for granted until it is taken away.