Dear all
I’m pleased to say that I’m up for an award. To be specific a Social Health Award. I’ve been nominated as an Advocacy Trailblazer because of this blog.
If you like what I write, please can you click on the link below and vote – preferably for me!
Voting ends on 3rd May 2024 so get cracking.
Love to you all
Jim
You’ve just learned you have prostate cancer, and now your doctor is discussing the different treatment options. You’re hearing about prostatectomy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and your head is starting to spin.
Take a deep breath, and consider how to get in the right headspace to make an informed decision about the treatments that might follow. These decisions can have a profound effect on your life. That can include life expectancy along with the side effects that prostate cancer treatment can inevitably bring.
For the absence of doubt, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 and have endured both hormone therapy and radiotherapy, which to date has been successful. I’m no longer on any form of treatment, but I’m not one to say I’ve beaten cancer! Perhaps it’s superstition, but I’m keeping a beady eye open in case my unwelcome guest should make a most unwelcome return. Read on…
Radiotherapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer. It uses high doses of radiation to target and kill cancer cells. Perhaps you are about to undertake radiation therapy and would like a little inside track on what’s involved.
Not long ago I endured 38 radiotherapy sessions over an eight-week period. I’m not a doctor and have no medical expertise, but here’s my story.
Before the therapy starts, the doctors needed to map my prostate to target the cancer accurately. This is achieved using a CT scanner. My bowels needed to be empty and my bladder full of water. A cannula was jabbed in my arm and dye filtered into my blood stream, which makes the prostate and lymph nodes highly visible. If all is well, the scan can take just a few minutes.
During a simulation session, I was positioned on a treatment table in the same way as during actual treatments. This helps ensure accurate delivery of radiation. Small markers, tattoo crosses, were inked on to my body. Two on my hips and one just below my navel. All to make sure that for each session I’m lying in the exact same position. Read on…
The Unwelcome Guest 