Starting Radiation tomorrow

Life during radiation treatment:
“Dang bladder. I just emptied you five minutes ago. How can you be full again???”
“Outta my way - I got to get to the restroom NOW!!!”
“You know I don’t dance but I’m pretty good at the Aztec Two-Step. Honey, remember to buy more toilet paper when you go to Woodman’s.”
“What are those little marks on my biking map? Locations of public toilets.”
“No, honey. I can’t eat brats nor coleslaw (nor raisins, nuts, berries, tomatoes, fruit, coffee, alcohol…) If I vary my bland, fiber-free diet, we’ll both regret it in the morning because we only have one bathroom and the infirm gets first dibs. And you don’t want to be second!!”
“Don’t drink that! It’s pure cranberry juice, so bitter it’s guaranteed to make you gag. Doctor says I have to drink it or I might have to have a Foley catheter inserted in a delicate part of my anatomy, a procedure I previously endured after a serious bike crash years ago. Worst pain ever!! I was cussing and confessing to crimes, real and imagined, in hopes it would put an end to the torture. Yes! It was me who put the hit on Jimmy Hoffa and I will tell you where the body is if you stop trying to insert that tube where it don’t belong!!”
“So, you want me to lie perfectly still on this slab for a half hour while I pass through a dark tunnel?? I’m getting premonitions of death here…”
“Is my bladder full, you ask? No, these little steps I’m making are just a spontaneous interpretative dance I’m performing while I search for the restroom.”

The results are so different with different people.

I had 7 1/2 weeks of salvage radiation. I had no side effects at all. No problem getting up at night to pee. No fatigue, nothing. I would have it done in the morning and immediately go to work all day.

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.

I had my third SBRT treatment yesterday, Friday. I had one Monday and Wednesday and I have two others next week. I don't know if it was the accumlative effect or a stronger treatment but I came out of the cancer center and felt totally exhausted. I felt more rested this morning but I've had a relapse this afternoon. Maybe my age has an effect at 81 years. I've always been quite active and not used to getting knocked down like this.

I have been through radiation three times. First time 36 sessions, second time 15 sessions, last time, three sessions. My side effects were probably minor. Loss of hair in the radiation field area. I believe a little bit tired, but it wasn’t awful like my relatives who had chemo for other types of cancers.

One of the most uplifting parts of the radiation session, was standing in the hall, talking to other patients waiting in their gowns, waiting to be called to their machine room. People can be so positive and uplifting in a time of challenge for us.

Gods Blessing on you and your family

Sitting among other patients is not what made my situation uncomfortable ; it was being in hospital garb while the majority of the waiting area were dressed and waiting for family remembers to complete their testing. It felt awkward …

They should have a waiting area for those in their hospital garb. Sorry you had to experience that.

I agree. And by the way @ucla2025 this was AT UCLA … 😏

I agree. And by the way @ucla2025 this was AT UCLA … 😏

SBRT radiation is definitely harder than IMRT for many sessions. My brother at 75 had SBRT to treat his prostate. He did have urinary issues and needed Flomax for a few months, But after that, he had no issues.

The reaction to radiation varies a lot. I know some people do get fatigue from it, that is not unusual.