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

I believe the Varian Halcyon is a MRI LINAC machine.

So, I just discovered that Viewray, the company that made the MRIdian MRI SBRT Machine, has gone out if business. This is really unfortunate. I hope the facilities that purchased these state of the art machines, will be able to continue using them.
I guess they were just too expensive to produce. I don't believe there are any equivalent machines out there. I hope I'm wrong.

Awesome! I still have so many questions. Was yours done with MRI or CT or something else?

I'm glad I asked the question too. Your poor husband, wow, he is going through a lot and so are you. From everything I've looked at so far, I am leaning towards SBRT - Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy. This is the form of radiation that only requires around 5 sessions, but I guess it takes more like 7 to 10 days in total to include evaluation, prep, etc. There are different ways to deliver the SBRT. They can put metal markers in the prostate then use CT scanning but that means they have to insert the markers into the prostate. They can also use MRI guided SBRT with no need for markers. With the MRI guided, if the prostate shifts while the radiation is being administered, the beam shuts off. Side effects appear to be as good or better than the other means of beamed radiation known as Conventional Fractionation (8-9 weeks) or Moderate Hypofractionation (4.5-5 weeks).
So, I am going to look into the MRI guided SBRT. One brand name is MRIdian. These are expensive machines and only a few locations have them. One is UCLA. I fear my biggest obstacle is going to be insurance. I have a medicare advantage plan. If you haven't already done so, watch this video, it's very informative. https://youtu.be/ZpK3JhVUNDk?si=ir7ceyV8eqHJU3jj

I also watched a video of the surgical procedure, it looks very complex and unless that's my only option, I'm not doing it.
Best of luck and keep us updated

My husband was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. We saw the surgeon this morning at Mayo in AZ and he went over the biopsy. Of course, my husband was thinking of having RP. The surgeon said that he has a large prostate and more than likely they would have to sever the nerves that control the urine and he would have erectile disfunction. My husband is 73 and in good health other than the prostate cancer. The surgeon recommended radiation. We have an appointment at Mayo on Thursday. I'm glad you asked this question about driving. I am visually impaired and don't drive so listening to many of your replies, it gave me a little encouragement that he will be able to drive. I'm not sure what kind of radiation or hormone therapy will be discussed. He is in the middle of shingles and in a lot of pain. He has some big decisions to make very soon.

I had the 5 proton radiation treatment at Mayo Phoenix and drove myself to and from with no problems. Just had my 9 month PSA and it was undetectable.

I will definitely consult with UCLA before I make a final decision. I will post it here.
Thank You very much!

There are not more side effects though with MRLinac SBrT since it is so targeted and very tight margins and the ability to change target on the fly, in fact less because of the tight margins and control with the MRI movie and the gating of the machine, I watched the gate work as I was holding my pee my prostate jumped and it instantly gated. The prostate can also change shape during treatment and this new tech catches all that. Proton beam is easily deflected by calcification causing lateral scatter and not as controllable as the adverts make you think. There are studies talking about this. If you were going to consider Proton I would look at San Diego Proton since they offer pencil beam and much newer tech than Loma Linda. I had very minor side effects for less than two weeks and even had “relations” 4 days after treatment with no issues. After a month it was nothing whatsoever happened. I have to say that UCLA was the absolute best experience I have ever had in any treatment center, they are 100% on the ball.. For a full explanation on SBRT watch this. At least have a consult with Michael Steinberg or Kishan at UCLA, the man knows his radiation and cancers. He answered every question with knowledge.

Wow, sure wish mine had been that easy. Congrats.

5 sbrt treatments are std of care at Mayo Rochester