I completed radiation therapy today. I was supposed to end last Friday but
the machine was down so I had to come back today. This last week was kind of
hard and Corby and to drive me down in the van because I couldn't make the
hour drive without the bathroom.
I'm Glad this is Over!
Intestinal Distress
I've been having problems but yesterday about 8PM I started to feel pain
in my stomach. It progressed to some pretty intense intestinal bloat and pain.
I didn't know if I should go to emergency room! I tried to drink a little
water but had trouble keeping it down. About 2AM the intense pain had lessened.
This morning I was back to normal (loose stools) but no pain. I
HAVE to start watching what I eat and eat very plain.
Imodium
I had a hard day on Thusday so I took some of this stuff Thursday evening.
It works! There were times I could have used this in the past.
Follow Up with Dr. Kim
I had a follow up with Dr. Kim (not much new) and my second round of
Elegard. Won't see him for another 8 weeks.
Radiation Conscent
Met with Dr. An's intern (who was very good) and she went over everything
again and I signed the conscent forms
They did a CT-Scan with lasers so that they can get me situated for each
dose of radiation. I had an MRI done also (the results say that the tumors
are no longer visible). I don't know what that means for radiation.
Feducial Maker Placement
This morning Dr.
Sprenkle placed "feducial markers" in my prostate that will be used
to guide my radiation. He also inserted a "SpaceOAR" between the rectum
and the prostate for protection during radiation.
I didn't feel pain but just uncomfortable for about two days after this
proceedure.
Predisone In Gloucester
I'd been on the edge all winter but I had to use the nebulizer 3 times in
one night. The walk-in was close, nice, and pretty quick so the experience
wasn't that bad. I just hope I can keep the level down for at least the rest
of the month.
The Dr. (young) gave 5 days of 40mgs of predisone and 2 inhalers. If I
were smart I'd try and keep those inhalers as a stash.
Biologics I have taken
Enbrel
Humira
Tremfiya
Stelara
Sykrizi
Dupixent
2nd Visit with Dr. Kim
It was a hot day and we parked the car at Wooseter Square to see the
cherry blossoms and walk half hour to the appointment. He was a little late
but all in all nothing to report. The medicine is doing it's job as indicated
by the blood work.
Since we were planning to go away I asked the pharmacy for an extra "fill"
which they did, no problem.
General Notes
I found this today:
September 2013 - Started Humara (enbril)
September 2013 - Colonoscopy
Allergy Season
This week is going to be the very first week of warm weather. I've been
taking Cetirizine HCI for about 2 weeks in the morning. We'll see how this
year works out.
Starting Zytiga
I started taking zytiga today. I'm two hours in and don't feel anything so
far. I think I need to watch my blood pressure.
Eligard is a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist. A drug
that works by stopping testosterone production in the testicles.
It's supposed to wipe you out in three weeks. I'm also
supposed to start the Zytiga
this Sunday. Wish me well.
Started taking Bicalutamide
Bicalutamide is a prescription medicine belonging to a class of medicines
called non-steroidal androgen receptor inhibitors.
Bicalutamide is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts
of the body (metastatic).
Bicalutamide is given in combination with another medicine called a
luteinizing (LOO-tee-in-ize-ing) hormone-releasing hormone, or LHRH. LHRH
helps prevent the testicles from producing testosterone.
Prostate Treatment Options
I just saw this today but is would be useful for many of those earlier in their decision making process. It came from
an article in
American Family Physian a journal for general practioners. The article
Localized Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options
builds a decsion tree based on your conditions. There is also a life expectance chart. This is an excellent article.
PSMA Scan
This is a scan to see if the cancer has escaped the prostate.
It took an hour for the radioactive stuff to circulate and the scan was about 20
minutes. It wasn't bad but had to hold my arms above my head and lie as
still has possible. You know that a time like that is when you nose itches!
My Tooth Started Hurting
UPDATE: I'm not sure what it was but I was pretty sure it was broken
but after several days it went away. Lucky!
Top left side molar hurts to byte down. I think I did this with popcorn
again!
Had a Biopsy
I had the prostate biopsy done today. It did not hurt as much as it was very
"uncomfortable". Biopsy was a 8 AM and I slept most of the afternoon when I
got home. All in all wasn't bad. They did a good job at Dr. Sprenkle's office.
Prescription for Albuterol
Filled 2023-03-29
This is my last refill so I updated at Saloua's.
Filled 2023-02-10
This is from July but I must have had one since then
Could Not Breath
I had to use the nebulizer four times yesterday and want to Saloua for predisone today. We'll see how long that
lasts.
Eczema Flair
I don't know why but I my skin is flaring and my lungs are touchy. We'll
see how long before it gets bad.
MRI
The MRI indicated that I had a PI-Rad-Score of 4 which means I have a 75% chance of cancer.
Tested Positive for Covid
Since this thing hit I haven't had it but Corby had it two weeks
ago in Kentucky. I felt something tonight and took a rapid test and
sure enough it came back positive. We were supposed to leave
tomorrow for Gardner. Oh well...
Prostate Screening
I got screened again!
the relative 10-year survival rate is 98% the relative 15-year
survival rate is 96%
"(The) harms of screening include adverse effects from
prostate biopsy, over diagnosis and over treatment, and
anxiety. One-half of screen-detected prostate cancers will not
cause symptoms in the patient's lifetime, and 80% to 85% of men
who choose observation will not die from prostate cancer within
15 years. Adverse effects of radical prostatectomy include
preoperative complications, erectile dysfunction, and urinary
incontinence. Radiation therapy can cause acute toxicity
leading to urinary urgency, dysuria, diarrhea, and rectal pain;
late toxicity includes erectile dysfunction, rectal bleeding,
and urethral stricture. Despite variations across guidelines,
no organization recommends routine PSA testing, and all endorse
some form of shared decision-making before testing. If
screening is performed, it should generally be discontinued at
70 years of age."
- American Academy of Family Practice PSA testing guidelines
Abdomen Problems
I've strained a muscle in my abdomen. Below is one of
the best images I have seen. My problem seems to be in the
top right side.
Skin Take Two
Since I wrote that last post I got a spider bite
on my foot but I think it has caused my eyes, nose, and lips to
swell and itch. Can't win.
