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More About My Cancer Treatment

How I look in the RapidArc machine.

I'm two weeks into my nine week treatment for prostate cancer. So far it has not been too bad. The process leading up to my treatment was worse than the actual treatment. The biopsy and having gold markers placed in my prostate were invasive to say the least. I guess if I am ever abducted by space aliens I can tell them "been there done that"!
Even though the actual treatment only takes about 4 minuets. If everything goes smoothly I am in and out of the office in about 10 minutes.  The preparation for the treatment takes quite a bit of time. I start the evening before with stopping drinking anything at about 7:30 PM. 
The next morning I get up early, for retirement, at about 6:00 AM to start my morning routine. I start that early because I need to have all liquids I drink to clear my system by 9:00 AM when I start my bladder filling. I started this adventure drinking the requested 32 oz. of water in 15 minuets. Try it, it is difficult. 
Now you would think that my teacher training of holding my bladder would be an advantage here. But that actually has worked against me. When I first started I was holding too much. To start the treatment I am first x-rayed to check the position of my insides. The Radiation Technologist came into the treatment room  and said my bladder was about twice the normal size and I would have to "remove" a little.  Starting and stopping is not one of my better talents. But I managed and they were able to precede with the treatment. If I was not able to "stop" I would then have to drink another 32 oz. of water and wait another hour and a half to try the treatment again.  
My treatment is at 10:45 Monday through Friday and if everything goes smoothly I am done before 11. Then I am free for the rest of the day till about 7:30 PM when I start the process all over again.  Well actually it starts at 7:00 PM every day with my special tea. It is an herbal tea recommended by my radiation oncologist. The tea is called "Smooth Move" and it is for exactly what you are thinking. 
Now for my Public Service Announcement or PSA about PSA and prostate cancer. Men get checked! Women tell your men to get checked! It is not the end of the world to get checked and according to my Doctors if caught relativity early is very treatable.
A lot of men will develop this cancer and age is one of the main factors. According to the CDC 13 out of every 100 men will develop prostate cancer. My doctor put it another way saying "if a guy lives long enough he will develop prostate cancer".  
That may be alarming but it shouldn't be.  Doctors have developed many different paths that patients can take in the treatment of this disease. It is very manageable and treatable.  The first step is talking to your Doctor. If you are over 50 or have a family history of prostate cancer ask for a PSA blood test. 
Knowledge is power and you can have power over this disease.

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