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Brachytherapy going forward

User
Posted 26 Nov 2020 at 12:43

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your comments but it always gets a bit worrying when your 12 monthly test date comes around again and the lock down doesn't help too.

We don't have many Brachytherapy guys on here and it was difficult in 2016 to make a decision between Brachytherapy and Robotic removal so friends like you did help going forward as it was maybe a life and death decision and both the surgeons thought their option was the best.You say your numbers are stable but not dropping any more so has the doctors given you any options of further treatment yet.

I always found this site and it members so helpful in the early days so try to log in every day and give advice when i can but would never push anyone towards any of the options as they must make their own choice in the end.

Regards John.

User
Posted 26 Nov 2020 at 13:38
A stable PSA below the threshold for the person's age is an acceptable outcome for LDR as there is less damage to the prostate than with external beam RT - so happily there is no reason for Chigwell's doctors to be considering further treatment 👍
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 26 Nov 2020 at 14:20

I am running a new Prostate Brachytherapy UK support group this evening on Zoom, if anyone is interested.

Details are on the end of my profile. Please email me if you intend to come along.

User
Posted 27 Nov 2020 at 10:20
Whatto Matron, Whatto Johntheprint and Whatto all LDR Veterans,

Matron, you are correct there is less Radiation damage to surrounding areas with LDR but I must inform you that I was

suffering with rectal bleeding 4 years after treatment which according to the Consultant was undoubtedly caused by the

Radiation in 2010. An ARGON machine was employed to Zap the damaged blood vessels and happily there has never

been a repeat. I also inform you (with fingers tightly crossed) that my eminent Professor of Urology informed me in my

annual check up(Telephone due to Covid) that he had never known a LDR procedure to require further treatment once

past the 10 year point.

John, I have kept detailed records of every PSA test since I was first tested back in 10/2005 which amounts to a total of

39 tests in all and you can please accept from me that YES it does get less of a worry over the years but you must still

keep at least one eye on the ball. Like you I visit here every single day on the lookout for individuals that my experiences

may help in their own treatment decision making.

I salute all the guys and girls who continue to offer support, advice and comfort to those souls who are ever emerging

into the world of Prostate Cancer.

Michael (Chigwell 2010)

User
Posted 27 Nov 2020 at 15:06

Hi Lynn and Michael,

Thanks for the information you always come up with more Brachy details that i can find on my Goggle searching.

A lot of my searches seem to be old news from 2006 when Brachytherapy was not regarded as it is today.

I think Lynn and Johsan where the first to greet me on this site in 2016 and it was nice to have some friendly words of encouragement at a worrying time.

I heard from the hospital by text yesterday that they have put my phone meeting with the urology specialist nurse back to early March from December but that's no problem as i have my numbers in time for Christmas.

Regards John. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by member 27 Nov 2020 at 15:09  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 08 Dec 2020 at 15:58

Hi Guys & Gals,

As with most of us and the covid restriction for appointments i was waiting for my latest  Oncology call from my nurse but instead was surprised to speak to my Specialist / Surgeon that done my Brachytherapy operation in September 2016.He was very pleased with my recent Psa test of 0.08 and after a short conversation has signed me off.

John.

User
Posted 08 Dec 2020 at 17:02

Great news John, really pleased for you.

Best wishes to all going through treatments for PCa.  

Angex 

User
Posted 08 Dec 2020 at 18:27
This is super news. Our onco says that in the future, people will look back and be horrified that men used to have their prostate removed surgically. Every successful brachy is a step towards kinder less life-changing treatment in the future
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 08 Dec 2020 at 20:05

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for all your help in my early days It really helped as you have supported a lot of members on here.

I will still sign in every day and try to help other members but not push to my option at any time.

As to being signed off it does not mean you are cured of the beast but maybe you can look at the ED part of it still not good but we must still try. wishing all your men well in the future.

Regards John.

User
Posted 08 Dec 2020 at 22:19

That is really good John.

Your PSA is very low for someone who still has a prostate. Did you have hormone therapy, and if so, do you know if your testosterone has returned?

User
Posted 09 Dec 2020 at 07:34

Hi Andy62,

I think looking back i had a textbook Brachytherapy with no major problems just the straight operation into Mount Vernon night before operation  then operation next day and home next day with a bag off pills.I had no hormone treatment before and have never had my Testosterone checked ever.

Regards John.

User
Posted 09 Dec 2020 at 09:41

Fantastic news John. Very pleased for you.

 

Ido4

User
Posted 09 Dec 2020 at 13:12
Well done JohnthePrint,

Please continue to monitor the arrival of newcomers who will surely be impressed by your history.

Congratulation.

Michael (Chigwell2010.)

User
Posted 09 Dec 2020 at 13:32

Hi Michael,

Thanks mate but i think you are the leader with your 10 year history with Brachytherapy but as i said before you can only offer help and ideas from our prospective without over egging it.I was lucky that i had heard of Brachytherapy from a friend that had gone through it with good results at the time and this made me look into both procedures with help from friends on here otherwise i may have taken the advise the first surgeon was offering me with the Robotic procedure and there was no guarantee of good or bad side affects what ever way i jumped.Stay well my friend and have a great Christmas .

Regards John.

User
Posted 09 Dec 2020 at 16:26

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Hi Andy62,

I think looking back i had a textbook Brachytherapy with no major problems just the straight operation into Mount Vernon night before operation  then operation next day and home next day with a bag off pills.I had no hormone treatment before and have never had my Testosterone checked ever.

Did you do the two treatments in a day, or just a single treatment (which I'm not sure if Mount Vernon offered)?

User
Posted 09 Dec 2020 at 17:58

Hi Andy

I only had the one treatment to insert the seeds ie Low dose Brachytherapy the two part one is called High Dose Brachytherapy where they insert rods for a set dose each  day, but as with the seeds LDB nothing is left in.

Regards John

User
Posted 09 Dec 2020 at 22:04

Ah sorry, I misremembered and thought you'd had HDR.

User
Posted 14 Dec 2020 at 10:05
Hi John ... Great to see your PSA is still very low....Certainly appears that your LDR Brachy has been very successful.

Unfortunately in my case it appears to have been only partially successful.

My latest PSA was 8.6 so clearly demonstrating a slow upward trend!!

Having a telephone conversation with the hospital on 18th Dec so will update on my thread with details of the outcome

Regards Tom

User
Posted 14 Dec 2020 at 12:57

Hi Tom sorry to hear your numbers are rising again but I am sure the team will get on your case soon.We both started off in the same year on the journey when we where short of brachytherapy members so made it hard to make decisions on the best treatment to have.

Good luck on the 18th and keep us in the loop, we are all supporting you.

John.

 
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