Trey,
I've kind of had it all since last summer (RP, HT and IMRT radiation)....I had IMRT for residual disease, so I don't know if radiation for primary treatment is much different --- BUT....
My routine didn't change too much--- I drank a bottle of water an hour before my sessions. I did 36 sessions which ended 2 weeks ago...The whole in and out was less than 20 minutes each day -- you just lay there for 10 minutes and watch the machicne go zap!
SIDE EFFECTS:
FATIGUE -- yep, about half way through I felt it. but I found moderate exercise in the evening (treadmill for 30 minutes, mostly walking) helped that a lot. Drinking a lot of water helps.
URINARY IRRITATION - yep, but manageable. I have it worse now than I did during treatment -- thye gave me some stuff to take
RECTAL IRRITATION -- yep, but again, manageable. They gave me some stuff to take.
INCONTINENCE --- a little extra drip, but not nearly as bad as what I had post-surgury
IMPOTENCE --- the odds are in your favor. I had non-nerve-sparing surgury, so I was already there--- plus I'm on 6 months of hormone therepy... again, there are ways to manage this.
I didn't miss any work or family activities during this --- generally felt pretty good. NOTE: If you take supplements or high potency vitamins, but sure to discuss with you doc -- might want to ease off those during treatment....
HANG IN THERE --- THIS IS YOUR CURE!