Prostate cancer. A useful resource.

[rod_vw]

That sounds like the make of machine rather than the way it delivers the radiation but I expect they are all similar. I am nearly half-way through 20 sessions on a machine that uses Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAC) and that involves lying on a bench with my feet in a shaped support and a raised block behind my knees. They align the machine with 3 little tattooed dots on my stomach and hips that were previously made using an MRI scanner to find out exactly where my prostate is. It also calculated the dose specific to me. Mine is a 12 minute session during which you must not move for obvious reasons. I remove whatever trousers I am wearing and arrange myself on the bench at which point there is a synchronised action where I remove my underwear and the nurse covers what tiny shred of my dignity is left with a rather small piece of paper! It might well be for her benefit of course: who want to spend most of the working week faced with elderly men's tackle? Totally painless but side effects can creep in. They will explain all about that at the time.

That's exactly as my RT was performed except that I wear boxers and they only needed lowering to reveal the tattoos. As it was warm weather I attended the sessions wearing shorts and tee shirt so only had to take my footwear and shorts off.

 

[BusyBuilder]

No tattoos required, the Inverness machine is a combination or MRI and radiotherapy.

 

[The general]

I had linear machine , first a scan of the bowel to see if its empty then the big boy to give you thr dose . AND yes wearing comfortable colthes help less the better

 

[pagey]

I was usually wearing a pair of my Antonio rossi,s as it had been a long time since I had my pants pulled down

 

[Speve]

Hope all went well, very best wishes.

Thanks for asking yes a 7hr op but they have taken away all of the cancer and done some work on my bladder so hopefully I won’t need to do ISC anymore which could be a bonus if it works. Home on Friday evening they don’t want you hanging around to long,I do feel like I’ve been hit by a bus and as others have said the bloating from the gas the pump into you is horrible but it’s gradually dissipating. Just got to take it steady for a week or two then catheter will be removed then it’s just taking it easy not allowed to lift more than a jug of water. Life begins again after this
I cannot praise the team enough at Southampton they are a happy bunch

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[Speve]

Is it still at the spire ?

Mine was at Southampton General

 

[The general]

I cannot praise the team enough at Southampton they are a happy bunch

I was in the oncology area and yes they are happy ! Not that i am an oncologist but i think they exam the gland ( they did my mates ) yes 7 hr its not a free ride .

 

[Speve]

I was in the oncology area and yes they are happy ! Not that i am an oncologist but i think they exam the gland ( they did my mates ) yes 7 hr its not a free ride .

No but hopefully at the end of it I will be able to get back to normal they say no pain no gain so I’m having the pain at the moment

 

[sonny]

I had my prostate removed 5 +years ago and now tested regularly last one Psa at 0.34 so referred to hsp and having full scan next month
So keep testing

 

[The general]

I had my prostate removed 5 +years ago and now tested regularly last one Psa at 0.34 so referred to hsp and having full scan next month
So keep testing

Yes having prostrate removed doesnt guarantee all cancer remove same as any treatment RT etc , my mate had his removed last reading o.01 ,test every 6 months .with me RT 6months latest 0.12 magic number 2.00 or massive spike in reading requires further investigation . Good luck

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[Speve]

Well nearly two weeks after op catheter will be removed on Thursday and stents in six weeks time still a little tender but all in all I think things are going well bullet holes healing well and everything working and not having to take those horrible hormone tablets.
Not planning on doing a lot except getting my fitness back as soon as I am able to start doing more walking.

 

[68c]

Well nearly two weeks after op catheter will be removed on Thursday and stents in six weeks time still a little tender but all in all I think things are going well bullet holes healing well and everything working and not having to take those horrible hormone tablets.
Not planning on doing a lot except getting my fitness back as soon as I am able to start doing more walking.

Yes, I was so glad to get rid of that catheter too. Keep up the exercises and you will soon be thinking forward yo an active and hopefully long life. Just had my third follow up PSA test, each one 0.01 so happy with that.

 

[Speve]

Yes, I was so glad to get rid of that catheter too. Keep up the exercises and you will soon be thinking forward yo an active and hopefully long life. Just had my third follow up PSA test, each one 0.01 so happy with that.

Thanks I’ll try and follow in your footsteps keep it up

 

[The general]

Remember PSA reading much more accurate AFTER treatment , oncologist btold me that

 

[The general]

Good thread a lot of info .

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[sedge]

Good thread a lot of info .

well - it's been going long enough, you'd certainly hope by now it would contain a lot of really helpflul and hopeful info, and serve as at least a nudge to all men to get themselves tested sooner rather than later!

 

[The general]

The mote info the better , because most of info comes from us lads who have been thru it and came out the other side fairly intact .

 

[rusted]

I'm feeling quite chipper ATM just had my first PSA test back <0.01 after hormone treatment and 20 sessions of rt. Early days but hey.

I put on loads of weight going through all the treatment I had in the last year and my strength and stamina have taken a big hit.
So i came up with a plan lose the weight using the monjaro weight loss drugs (which is going surprisingly well), while I wait for my testosterone levels to recover, then hit the gym hard and hopefully I will get back to something like I was before all this started.

 

[The general]

while I wait for my testosterone levels to recover,

Mine never did , any tips because taking drugs ??

 

[rusted]

I'm just 2 months out of RT so not expecting testosterone level to return for another 4 months, but I believe there are trt drugs that can replace your testosterone levels, I would speak to my GP if you can get an appoitment

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[LesW]

Finished my Radiotherapy in February, this is might first blood test result

, looking OK.

 

[Speve]

Hi everyone well my catheter removed today without any drama hardly any dribbles and the bonus is I’m probably going to be able to pee properly without carrying out ISC three times a day. Wounds healing well and feeling better every day now of course have to do everything slowly and not rush.
Stents will be removed by the end of July and then more PSA tests and a talk with surgeon in August.
I’m finally feeling like things are coming together now and life can start to get back on track gradually.
My treatment has been second to none and I can’t thank all the staff at SDH and Southampton General enough thanks to them I’m hopefully a survivor of this dreadful disease.

 

[The general]

My treatment has been second to none and I can’t thank all the staff at SDH and Southampton General

I second that so lucky we got a good set up there

 

[sonny]

Yesterday had a phone call
Could I come in today at 3pm for a pet ct scan to see how far the cancer got (prostate) so got a lift sorted then 12.45 phone call
Sorry been cancelled we have no radioactive medicine can you come in on Friday
So 3hours before the action takes place they realise they haven’t got the equipment
Shit happens right
But

 

[Speve]

Yesterday had a phone call
Could I come in today at 3pm for a pet ct scan to see how far the cancer got (prostate) so got a lift sorted then 12.45 phone call
Sorry been cancelled we have no radioactive medicine can you come in on Friday
So 3hours before the action takes place they realise they haven’t got the equipment
Shit happens right
But

Yes it can be a pain can’t it especially if you have a long way to go and have transport organised. I hope you get sorted quickly good luck

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[Rapido666F]

You might like to discover the half-life of the isotope that is being used and where it is supplied from. Some are only viable for a few hours so transport problems can make it impossible to provide the service, at very short notice

 

[gus-lopez]

we have no radioactive medicine can you come in on Friday
So 3hours before the action takes place they realise they haven’t got the equipment

Quite common. It is sent out to arrive and a sample is tested whilst it is in transit to the hospital. If OK,no problem, otherwise another lot has to be sent. Any accident or hold up on the road and the dye is u/s. Happened to the wife in Somerset. In Spain you have to go to a hospital that is also a nuclear medicine facility where they manufacture it.

 

[sonny]

Yesterday had a phone call
Could I come in today at 3pm for a pet ct scan to see how far the cancer got (prostate) so got a lift sorted then 12.45 phone call
Sorry been cancelled we have no radioactive medicine can you come in on Friday
So 3hours before the action takes place they realise they haven’t got the equipment
Shit happens right
But

CANCELLED 2 hours before appointment
Now on for next Wednesday

 

[Speve]

CANCELLED 2 hours before appointment
Now on for next Wednesday

It all adds to the stress of it doesn’t it, I hope third time lucky applies

 

[rod_vw]

It all adds to the stress of it doesn’t it, I hope third time lucky applies

This is absolutely dreadful service from your NHS Trust, no one deserves the stress that you are being subject to.

Complaining to PALS at your trust probably won't help you but it may help those following on the same journey.

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