The hardest part for me was who to talk to. The Urologist does the diagnosis, but his expertise is surgery. He had me schedule a session with a radiation oncologist, but he only did IRMT. I talked to patients who said their Urologist walked out of a meeting when they said they were considering Proton Therapy. Dr Walsh recommended that you consider contacting a National Cancer Center for treatment. They will have doctors with expertise in numerous treatment options. He also said they have better track record in curing cancer. All Mayo sites are centers, but their are others. My doctors didn't send me there. I had to find them. Unfortunately, they are not easily accessible to many people. There were patients at the Arizona Mayo Clinic from all over the country. You have to be very pro active and the resources to get their. Cancer society can provide free housing.

Colleen asked about side effects. The hormone therapy does result in hot flashes, mine weren't as bad as some others. It also weakens bones, requiring taking calcium. It can increase breast size, but mine didn't change much. It also affects sexual ability. Fatigue was probably the most noticeable.

For radiation, the urethea is going to get hit. It will affect urination. Pain when urinating and urgency are the two most serious issues. They reduced the effects with Aleve and Flomax. The side effects from radiation are gone now.

Long term, all side effects should be gone. One advantage of Proton Beam Therapy is that it limits tissue damage, so only the prostrate got hit with the beam. The good cells will regenerate, but not the cancerous.

Also, during treatment I was able to continue normal activity, which is what they encourage.

Dr Walsh? What is the book? Do you recommend it?