1. < Prostate Cancer

Let's get it started: My journey with SBRT (radiation)

Posted by toolbelt @toolbelt, Dec 5, 2023

Start saying your goodbyes cancer.
Testosterone...see you in June.
SBRT starts next week Thursday.
Stay Strong Brothers

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

mikewo | @mikewo | Dec 28, 2023
In reply to @toolbelt "Update on yesterday's SBRT #4. The machine that is treating me (Varian Edge) takes two revolutions..." + (show)
@toolbelt

Update on yesterday's SBRT #4.
The machine that is treating me (Varian Edge) takes two revolutions to administer the fraction. They line you up with lasers and images before, track the fiducials during the rotation (and the machine automatically holds the beam if you and/or your prostate move out of acceptable parameters), and they re-image between fractions. Took a little longer than the previous three treatments because during the second rotation the machine saw my prostate was not within parameters and it stopped. Took a couple minutes to start again.....the machine had to move me 1/10 (0.1) millimeter.....wow THAT'S accuracy!
Went for a 2.5 mile walk after treatment, little headache and a little fatigue last night. Reduced urine stream at 4:00am (only got up once), this morning stream is fine. Just finished 45 minutes of dumbbells and abs, off to walk 18 holes this aft.
We'll see how I feel after my final treatment tomorrow.....will feel guilty ringing the bell, but I will get over it!
I will report in again in the next day or three.
Still no Orgovyx side effects (just started week #4)
Stay Strong Brothers!

Jump to this post

I did the five proton treatments at Mayo Phoenix, and I too felt guilty ringing the bell as it was a piece of cake. I still rang it and have a picture on my phone. Compared to some of the patients we had it easy. Thank goodness for improved technology.

REPLY
2 replies
toolbelt | @toolbelt | Dec 28, 2023
In reply to @mikewo "I did the five proton treatments at Mayo Phoenix, and I too felt guilty ringing the..." + (show)
@mikewo

I did the five proton treatments at Mayo Phoenix, and I too felt guilty ringing the bell as it was a piece of cake. I still rang it and have a picture on my phone. Compared to some of the patients we had it easy. Thank goodness for improved technology.

Jump to this post

Absolutely.
And Congratulations!

REPLY
1 reply
pbmurf | @pbmurf | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @toolbelt "Update on yesterday's SBRT #4. The machine that is treating me (Varian Edge) takes two revolutions..." + (show)
@toolbelt

Update on yesterday's SBRT #4.
The machine that is treating me (Varian Edge) takes two revolutions to administer the fraction. They line you up with lasers and images before, track the fiducials during the rotation (and the machine automatically holds the beam if you and/or your prostate move out of acceptable parameters), and they re-image between fractions. Took a little longer than the previous three treatments because during the second rotation the machine saw my prostate was not within parameters and it stopped. Took a couple minutes to start again.....the machine had to move me 1/10 (0.1) millimeter.....wow THAT'S accuracy!
Went for a 2.5 mile walk after treatment, little headache and a little fatigue last night. Reduced urine stream at 4:00am (only got up once), this morning stream is fine. Just finished 45 minutes of dumbbells and abs, off to walk 18 holes this aft.
We'll see how I feel after my final treatment tomorrow.....will feel guilty ringing the bell, but I will get over it!
I will report in again in the next day or three.
Still no Orgovyx side effects (just started week #4)
Stay Strong Brothers!

Jump to this post

Yes, Had the spacer too. We've communicated before. I'm jackmurf1 on Inspire.
Have a GREAT day

REPLY
1 reply
toolbelt | @toolbelt | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @pbmurf "Yes, Had the spacer too. We've communicated before. I'm jackmurf1 on Inspire. Have a GREAT day" + (show)
@pbmurf

Yes, Had the spacer too. We've communicated before. I'm jackmurf1 on Inspire.
Have a GREAT day

Jump to this post

Got it! I have spread myself across several forums too....always using some nom de plume version of toolbelt.
Glad to have the SBRT, as easy as it was, behind me. Now continue the Orgovyx for 5 months and 5 days (but who's counting??) and hang on for the ride.

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rkurtzjr | @rkurtzjr | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @pbmurf "Congrats Toolbelt. I'm with you. I think exercise is the key. Ring that bell with pride...." + (show)
@pbmurf

Congrats Toolbelt. I'm with you. I think exercise is the key. Ring that bell with pride. All of us guys have been through a lot of medical and emotional crap to get there.
BTW..2 weeks out from my last SBRT, still no side effects.

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How many treatments?

REPLY
rkurtzjr | @rkurtzjr | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @mikewo "I did the five proton treatments at Mayo Phoenix, and I too felt guilty ringing the..." + (show)
@mikewo

I did the five proton treatments at Mayo Phoenix, and I too felt guilty ringing the bell as it was a piece of cake. I still rang it and have a picture on my phone. Compared to some of the patients we had it easy. Thank goodness for improved technology.

Jump to this post

Any side affects?

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2 replies
toolbelt | @toolbelt | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @rkurtzjr "Any side affects?" + (show)
@rkurtzjr

Any side affects?

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5 (photon) SBRT with 6 months Orgovyx. No side effects from SBRT or Orgovyx ( I have been on 3 1/2 weeks) at this point.

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mikewo | @mikewo | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @rkurtzjr "Any side affects?" + (show)
@rkurtzjr

Any side affects?

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None at all till day 140 after last radiation treatment. Then I started getting some blood smears on the sides of my feces. Some diarrhea from day 148 to day 155. I had two days that the toilet turned pink on day 182 and day 209 but nothing since that day. I did cut back on my blood thinners and aspirin. My urine flow has been great up till day 225 when I started getting an urge feeling after my morning coffee, but I refuse to give up my coffee. I did have the SpaceOar gel done. I have every side effect day charted so I don't go by memory. More start and stops but still doing ok especially in the afternoon when I switch over to water.

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1 reply
mikewo | @mikewo | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @toolbelt "Absolutely. And Congratulations!" + (show)
@toolbelt

Absolutely.
And Congratulations!

Jump to this post

Good luck to you too. I go in for my 9 month PSA on the 17th of January. My 3 month was undetectable so they skipped the 6th month one. We will see how it goes but I am expecting it will be the same.

REPLY
1 reply
toolbelt | @toolbelt | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @mikewo "Good luck to you too. I go in for my 9 month PSA on the 17th..." + (show)
@mikewo

Good luck to you too. I go in for my 9 month PSA on the 17th of January. My 3 month was undetectable so they skipped the 6th month one. We will see how it goes but I am expecting it will be the same.

Jump to this post

Wow....absolutely fabulous!

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