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JustJulie's Brachytherapy Journey

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Posted 8/20/2007 4:10 PM (GMT -6)
I've been absent for a while.  A couple of postings drove me over the edge.

Since the installation of the Palladium, not Iodine, seeds on June 12 my PSA has dropped from 7.6 to 2.5.  Both the urologist and oncologist tell me that's good, but it will take some time for the PSA to drop down below .05.

After reading some of the posts today, I am soooo thankful that I have a small prostate (told that by every single urologist I ever saw).  Anyway, I had my follow-up scan today to verify seed placement.  All seems ok.

My biggest complaint at this point is the "urgency" relative to urination.  I think 75% of it is psychological.  I sit for a couple of hours.  Stand up, and I gotta go.  The closer I get to the bathroom, the greater the urgency, so I tend to "leak" a bit before I get to the objective.  Very weird.  I'm flying from Nashville to Ft. Lauderdale this week, so I'll be wearing Depends.  Just in case, you see.

Also, after catheterizing myself about a 100 times after the procedure, I developed a urinary tract infection three weeks ago.  103 fever and felt like sicker than a dog.  I saw a woman urologist (!) since my guy was out of town.  An unusual experience.

Anyway, I'm satisfied with the brachytherapy and keeping my fingers crossed that the PSA continues in a decline mode.

 

Posted 8/30/2007 4:56 PM (GMT -6)
Julie and all you other wonderful folks,

   Julie, I hope all is well with hubby's urologist visit. I haven't been on the forum in awhile because I really didn't have any news to tell. I had my first PSA on Aug. 22 since Brachytherapy on May 22. It was 2.3 - down from pre-therapy of 4.7. I found out something interesting from my radiation oncologist. The expected spike in PSA following Brachytherapy doesn't necessarily occur with the first PSA test. It can occur anytime. Also some personal stats:

erectile function - fine; orgasmic function - fine, but dry as expected; nocturia - still every 2 hours, but day time seems to be lengthening. I haven't tried Flomax yet because of my concerns with dropping blood pressure. So, I guess, at this point, I'm moving along much like Julie's husband - minimum side effects. Wish everyone well and stay on the forum - good info here.

I see my seed guy again in February.

Posted 9/10/2007 1:30 PM (GMT -6)

Thanks for your update peeweeaz and thanks, too, for the information on the PSA bounce - although it doesn't alay my fears it does quell them just a little.  Urologist visit coming up and then Oncologist visit in December - here's hoping for continued good news.

On the forefront, he's a little tired these days but coaching soccer will do that to you.  On the whole he's happy and keeping busy - kudos to him!

Posted 9/11/2007 12:07 PM (GMT -6)
Julie,

  It sounds like your hubby and I are marching down the same path, which is a good thing. (No soccer coaching for me, though!) Everyone stay well and on the forum. yeah

Posted 9/11/2007 12:16 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you and the same to you. eyes
Posted 9/11/2007 5:22 PM (GMT -6)
hi Julie! just wanted to stop by and say hello while I'm here. I've been busy with life. our older son is getting married this Saturday, our 20 yr old son is trying to move out, and our daughter started her junior year in high school. Jeff and I have been traveling a lot the past month with his business. I'm glad all is well with you all. kat
Posted 9/12/2007 9:14 PM (GMT -6)
Rek3283,

  I've solved my urgency problem. I just carry a two liter Pepsi bottle around with me (no jokes here, you guys). Just kidding. I have noticed, however, that my ability to last longer than two hours is increasing. For awhile, I was getting up at night no longer than every two hours. Now it's about three. Even longer during the day. I was lucky not to have to do the self-catheterization. Sorry you had to put up with that. But the urgency problem remains. Kinda like the commercial, "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now...." scool

Posted 9/21/2007 12:08 PM (GMT -6)

Just jumping in with a quick update!  My husband was at the Urologist yesterday - he did a physical and indicated that everything felt good - he's not due back to him for six months and has a follow up with the Oncologist in December.

Hope everyone is doing well.

JustJulie

Posted 9/21/2007 8:46 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks for the update Julie. How great is a positive check up??? :>)

Always nice to read your posts. You give so much warm support :>)

Swim
Posted 9/24/2007 6:42 AM (GMT -6)

Hey Swim:

Nice to hear from you too - I'm only trying to give back what I've so warmly received here.

Julie

Posted 9/26/2007 5:07 PM (GMT -6)
Way to go Julie. What a relief, huh? Whew! Keep us the good work - nice to hear from you.

Regards,

Bill
Posted 9/27/2007 6:32 AM (GMT -6)

Hey Bill:

Glad to see you're doing well too.  Aside from the PSA bounce (any my heart "bounce") he seems to be doing well - nothing seems to slow that guy down and I only wish I had his zest for life.

Continued wishes for good reports.

Posted 10/30/2007 4:29 PM (GMT -6)
bump

Posted 11/27/2007 2:29 PM (GMT -6)
Best wishes with your next follow up!

It is great to bump your thread! There aren't too many experiences with brachytherapy on here. I for one, am always interested to read it and hear your news :)

Thanks for bumping it to the top for everyone, whether newbies researching options or ones who just want to hear how you all are doing :)
Posted 11/29/2007 5:13 PM (GMT -6)
rek3283

Hello, I read your post from 8/20/07 and you said that you received 109 Pallidium 103 seeds. My husband received 90 Pallidium seeds in April. But there was no mention of a second number. What does the 109 and 103 stand for? I know one is how many seeds you received, but I don't know what the other number is for? Also, my husband had
25 IMRT (Radiation traetments) before the seed implant. Would you care if I asked what size your postate was? The urologist told my husband that his was enlarged, but the radiation oncologist said ti wasn't enlarged that much. His was around 26 or 27 I think.
His psa at one month after implant was 2.7 down from 7.3 before
biopsy. He had another one at three months post brackytherapyand it was 1.7, his next one is in January. Thank you... wishing you
many years of very, very low psa's.

Wiggyann

Husband psa 7.3, Gleason 7. Stage t13, 25 IMRT and 90
seed pallidium brackytherapy, April 25, 2007 first psa
one month later was 2.67 at three months post implant it was 1.67
next psa in January.
Posted 12/10/2007 9:37 AM (GMT -6)
Better News!

As many of you know, my husband's PSA spiked at the last blood test.  We spoke with the Oncologist on Friday and she did not seem that concerned.  She said the it was, indeed, a PSA "bounce" and she's seen them before.  She'll check his bloodwork today and if it's still elevated, she'll retest him and put him on a three-month follow up as opposed to six.

All in all, she was not concerned which makes me feel TONS better.

Happy Holidays to all of you and thanks ever so much for your constant support.

JustJulie

Posted 12/11/2007 7:54 AM (GMT -6)

I just wanted to note that while Brachytherapy is not for everyone, we have been very pleased with the results.  My mantra has always been to investigate every option and choose the one that is best for you and in our case it was Brachytherapy.  Blood results should be in today so I'll let you know if we're on the downslide which would be a wonderful Christmas present!

Posted 12/11/2007 8:24 AM (GMT -6)
Julie,

Good news for your holiday! Glad to hear all is well. Have a Blessed Christmas Season!

You are so right..radiation is not for everyone...any more than any other treatment. As long as it is a man's choice, the choice is within his ability to be safely treated and he's satisfied his Physician team has his best interest in mind, it is the right decision. Like your hubby, some things were not on the menu for Paul. He had to choose for the available treatments for his particular case.

Swim
Posted 12/11/2007 3:08 PM (GMT -6)
The last few posts said it best. Just as radiation isn't for everyone, surgery isn't either. My husband was one of the latter.

Each individual needs to weigh the pros and cons for themselves. If there were one "right" or "perfect" answer, everyone would choose the same path. However, that's not the case.

Although the risks and side effects of surgery were not acceptable to my husband, both he and I recognize that other people may have different priorities and a different perspective. We hope others do the same.
Posted 12/13/2007 9:08 AM (GMT -6)

We're on a downward slide - and that's such a GOOD thing!  I am so pleased to report that my husband's PSA is sliding back down from an unexpected PSA bounce.  He's gone from 1.7 back down to 0.91 and his oncologist feels it will continue its downward trend.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings - however you celebrate, please celebrate with us on this joyous news.

JustJulie

Posted 12/13/2007 2:20 PM (GMT -6)
See? I knew there was a reason for checking back in this afternoon - another reason to celebrate! It is truly a journey, isn't it? And so great to see those numbers going down, down, down - I know what a relief after all the worries these past weeks. Congrats and what a wonderful treat for the holidays, too.
Posted 12/13/2007 2:28 PM (GMT -6)
Hey JustJulie,

Great news!! Its the trend that counts and yours is headed in the right direction.

Happy Holidays...

Jim
Posted 12/13/2007 4:33 PM (GMT -6)
Wonderful news, Julie!
Posted 12/13/2007 7:38 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Julie,

That's what I like to hear; numbers heading down. Keep up the good work.

Glen

Posted 12/13/2007 9:20 PM (GMT -6)
Julie,

Although my husband had surgery I've read your posts with interest. It's good to learn what we can from each other.
So glad to hear the PSA is going down where it belongs!

All the best to you both,
Susan
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