External Beam Radiation?

Would be helpful if we had all of your stats - ( PSA, Gleason, Stage) if you want to give them.

I had proton therapy at Loma Linda - noninvasive procedure - had 38 treatments - no problems during treatments - will be 6yr in June and I have had no side effects - current PSA 0.17.

There are several good threads on this forum regarding radiation - mine, PCDave, Jetguy to mention a few.  Will bump Bluebirds "Helpful Hints" to the top for you.

Good luck in your search for a treatment that suits YOU.

Dutch

PSA 4.8

Gleason 3 + 3 = 6

T2b

Completed Proton therapy @ Loma Linda - Aug 2001

5yr PSA   0.17

Have had no side effects.

Like PCDave and Dutch I have had Proton Beam Therapy.  External Xray treatments have much improved and will continue to evolve, but Protons Beams do not penatrate all the way through the body and there is no burning at the entrance point. I had a 4" Tan on each hip and nothing else. PCDave gives a great account of his Proton Beam Travels which is very accurate as to the whole proceedure. Other info at Protonbob website.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Ken

Proton Beam Therapy at Loma Linda 11-06. PSA at 1 yr. 1.7.

Dear louw,

Welcome to the Prostate Forum.  I am Kitt and you will find a wealth of information from our members.  Each member shares their own experience but I agree you need to gather all the information you can so you can make an informed consent re your choice of treatment.

Again welcome.

Listen to the Specialist but remember that the specialist will have a specialist's perspective. 

If you can afford Proton Beam at Loma Linda or M.D. Anderson, I would definitely look into it.  Their specialists will likely tell you more about this promising procedure than anyone else.  Still, don't just jump at this because it is new.  Evaluate your options.

Only you can make an informed decision that involves everything about you, your family, your overall health, the complications of your fight, how far you can or want to travel, and so much more.

I would examine each of the (4?) alternatives you are considering with a consultation from the best specialist in that field practically available!  Then make a decision.  Pray about it for a day or two.  (To me, a "7" says don't wait around too long - make a decision!) Then get a second opinion from another source (Johns Hopkins, Cancer Centers, etc.).

In God's Love,

C^Cedar

2 Years of PSA between 4 and 5.5

Biopsy 23DEC06 

Only 5 percent cancer in one of 8 samples.

Gleeson 3+3=6

Radical Prostatectomy 16FEB07 at age 54.

1+" tumor - touching inside edge of gland.

Confined.  :)

***************

Texas Hill Country

FRESH Produce Department Manager

Have you had your 5 colors today?

Proton Beam Therapy at Loma Linda 11-06. PSA at 1 yr. 1.7.

Post Edited (KenW) : 5/14/2007 3:44:45 PM (GMT-6)

First PSA test to be taken 7/07.

First PSA test to be taken 7/07.

Post Edited (pcdave) : 5/23/2007 9:11:23 AM (GMT-6)

Lou,

Great job researching your options, making a choice, and choosing M.D. Anderson.

I used M.D. anderson for my second opinion and found them top notch, and fascinating!

The entire concept of Proton Beam is appealing to me.  (Protons are the only atomic particles that don't (apparently) decay.)  A beam of protons is not "radioactive," per se.

So, in both radi0-active bandwith and particle width, the proton beam is one of (if not the) narrowest beam "blades" available.  And therefore one of the most accurate.

See John 1:1-5...  Holding you in visions of pefect health.

C^Cedar

2 Years of PSA between 4 and 5.5

Biopsy 23DEC06 

Only 5 percent cancer in one of 8 samples.

Gleeson 3+3=6

Radical Prostatectomy 16FEB07 at age 54.

1+" tumor - touching inside edge of gland.

Confined.  :)

***************

Texas Hill Country

FRESH Produce Department Manager

Have you had your 5 colors today?

Ken,

I haven't told anyone at work about the nature of my surgery, so I won't be exactly forthcoming about my whereabouts in this forum.    Anonymity allows more frank discussions concerning E.D., opinions about physicians & medical facilities, etc.

I didn't tell very many people about my cancer.  The necessity to explain the function of the prostate to my countless friends and associates at work, church, and school that would show normal concern about my fight against cancer - that endless conversation is a huge hurdle to my personal optimism about my health.  I see myself healthy and only discuss this fight here in this forum and with my physicain, family, and twelve people at church on my prayer team.  I feel disclosure must have a purpose.

I will give some information concerning my location:  I live and work near the habitat of the Golden Cheeked Warbler.  These birds build their nests only in Oak Trees - only out of Cedar (Texas Juniper) bark.  My surgery was done in Austin at North Austin Medical Center by two surgeons that moved to Austin from Tulane after Katrina (Karnik & Shaw).  One of my sisters lives in Kerrville.  She and her husband retired there.  Their daughter is going to UT Pediatric Dental School in San Antonio this Fall.  Their son studies water quality in Grad School at Texas State University. My grandfather was born in a mud dugout on the Middle Concho River (West of San Angelo) in the 1800s......  Father was born a mile South of Onion Creek in the 1920s....  Mother was born just East of Waco in the 1930s.  Our family has Texas Hill Country dirt in our blood!

auf Wiedersehen / Tchuss,

C^Cedar

2 Years of PSA between 4 and 5.5

Biopsy 23DEC06 

Only 5 percent cancer in one of 8 samples.

Gleeson 3+3=6

Radical Prostatectomy 16FEB07 at age 54.

1+" tumor - touching inside edge of gland.

Confined.  :)

***************

Texas Hill Country

FRESH Produce Department Manager

Have you had your 5 colors today?

  Well I have a new problem! My Ins Co. Secure Horizons Direct, limits what they will pay for poton treatment of prostate cancer to what Medicare Allowable Charges are for conformal 3D PHOTON beam therapy treatment for prostate cancer. This reprersents appro. one third of the cost of poton treatment. If any of you have been faced with this problem and have a solution or any suggestions please advise.

The Loma Linda support group has an insurance file that may be of some help.  Go to www.protonbob.com, click on "Contact Us" at the bottom of home page.  You can email Bob Marckini and he will send you that file.

Good luck.

Dutch

PSA 4.8

Gleason 3 + 3 = 6

T2b

Completed Proton therapy @ Loma Linda - Aug 2001

5yr PSA   0.17

Have had no side effects.