Radiation Simulation and Treatments

This will primarily be a medical blog to give you details about the radiation therapy Harry will be receiving to fight his prostate cancer. We are also including the side effects of the treatment so that you will know how to pray for Harry. 

We spent the weekend before doctor's
meetings with family at our grandson
RJ's track meet. He's a superstar.

On Thursday, April 29, Harry and I attended a simulation. At that time doctors mapped out a personalized treatment plan for Harry. We spent over an hour at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center meeting with one doctor and then another, and finally both. The initial discussion was a confirmation of what we have already been told: Harry has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already begun to impact his lymph nodes. Then they guided us through options for the duration of the treatments. Option one was radiation every day except weekends for four months. I believed this totaled around 70 days of raditation, whereby the radiation exposure would be mild. The second option is for 27 treatments over five and a half weeks. Of course, the radition exposure would be a little stronger. The doctor said there was no difference in the results between the two options. Harry and I opted for the shorter duration. 

Waiting for doctors at
simulation meeting.

The radiation therapy will begin on Wednesday, May 10 and continue each day, excluding weekends, until June 19. Harry has a little prep work to do for each treatment. He simply has to drink water to make sure his bladder is full and bowels are functioning well. This preparation will pull his bladder and bowels away from the prostate to protect them. If he does not do this each morning, the doctors will not do the therapy until he is ready. 

Doctors are strict about this preparation because of possible side effects and radiation damage to the bladder and bowels. Possible side effects to the bowels include a scaring of the bowels, blockage, sores, bleeding, diarrhea, poor intake of nutrients, and a hole may form between the bowel and other organs. If the last two occur, he will need surgery. Possible side effects to the bladder include not being able to hold urine, feeling the need to urinate often, bleeding, infections, pain and cramping, and damage to the bladder. With this we know that the preparation before each treatment is very important. 

Ready for shot

The treatment includes one or two hormone shots, depending on Harry's tolerance of the side effects from the shots. The doctors told Harry that he would go through male menopause, which includes hot flashes, mood swing, and lack of energy. He was also told to warn me. (I told him we have an extra bedroom to which I can retreat.) 

Harry received that first shot yesterday, Monday, May 1. I noted that it must be some awefully powerful medicine because he will not receive the second shot for another three months. The purpose of the shots are to prevent his male hormones from interferring with the radiation treatments. A few hours later Harry began to experience symptoms of menopause. He had hot flashes and just did not feel well.This morning he is still resting because of weakness. 

Thank you again for your support. Please pray that Harry can get through this with few side effects. God is able. "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." - Ephesians 3:20