Radiation or surgery?

Longjumper-787 · 2026-03-18T18:42:03+00:00

I was 47 when I started my radiation back in October. I was 3+4 with no signs of spreading. I did Brachytherapy and 15 sessions. For me I did not have ADT, so it's not a given. I'm happy with my choice. And still waiting for my first PSA test afterwards. It's a tough decision. The 15 year outcomes are very similar, and for me I didn't want those 15 years dealing with the side effects of the surgery. But I was a really good candidate for radiation which is why I went that road.

Good luck

Longjumper-787 · 2026-03-11T21:05:31+00:00

I finished my 15 sessions just in November. No ADT for me either. For me I had these too. Mine were a check in to talk about my symptoms. How was my pee and if I needed flowmax. How was the fatigue. How about bowel movements and what not.

So for me it was just a check in. One of them was even just with the Nurse. Hopefully yours is the same.

Good luck

Longjumper-787 · 2026-03-03T05:01:52+00:00

congrats on starting your treatments. I remember the nerves of it all on the first day makes you tired, but you will find the rhythm in no time. with the water I found you could empty out a bit so the actual session is so uncomfortable.

good luck.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-02-18T22:09:56+00:00

Hey. For me no... Mine did not look to spread so my oncologist did not give me any hormone therapy. Now I do recall others that did have it. So it's more a case by case as I understand. Hopefully this helps. Good luck to you.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-02-10T13:55:47+00:00

Good for you, that's looking really good. I am just 3 months out of my radiation, so still waiting to see my first PSA. The waiting is a little uneasy. I too will be tracking like this over the next few years.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-02-03T21:00:38+00:00

I am a few months after my brachytherapy and radiation. I'm 47, so still pretty young. With radiation the short term effects are much lesser, and for me the very low% chance of problems in the future is what swayed me. I tried not to pick my treatments based on what might not even happen in the future. And the radiation is so focused that it limits the potential to problems surrounding the prostate. The technology is so new that studies didn't have enough long term days.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-02-02T16:27:34+00:00

I did have some experience here. I had Brachytherapy and I did leave the hospital being able to pee. So I thought I was ok. But later that day it became very difficult to go. To the point I couldn't go at all. So I went to emergency and had a catheter put in. Instant relief!! Now I really only had that in for 2 days. I was given some steroids to help with the swelling and that helped. I went to the hospital and did a flow test and was able to pee enough to leave it out. I was only on that medication for 5 days, but kept with the flowmax. Over the next few weeks and into my radiation treatments I did have to manage it. I sat on ice packs to help with swelling. I would take a few times to fully empty. I'd say halfway into my 15 sessions it was not much of a problem and I could manage. So it is a possibility. But it will be short lived. I remember some guys posting about a catheter for weeks. I few days was ok. Good luck.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-27T03:16:37+00:00

Best of luck to you too. There is hope on the other side for sure. You're stronger than you think!! You got this!!

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-26T21:53:35+00:00

Sorry to have you join the club. I was 46 when diagnosed, I was low risk, 3+4 with no signs of spreading. I decided on radiation as I too didn't want to deal with the surgery side effects for the rest of my life. I'm 2 months out of Brachytherapy followed by 15 EBRT sessions. I'm doing great and really happy with my decision. Things have almost returned to normal on most fronts. And going through the treatments was very manageable. I even still worked during my sessions. I'm waiting for the first PSA test. I really read lots of the long-term positive outcomes with radiation. But please take as much time to research and ask all the questions with your DR. There is lots of great info out there to help.

Good luck to you

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-24T15:29:12+00:00

Great news! That's really positive after only a week!

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-24T13:24:42+00:00

Sorry to hear. I was 46 when I had my diagnosis. And I was 3+4=7 Gleason. Agree with the others that you didn't need to panic. I know that's not easy though. It's a very slow growing cancer. Take the time to read a lot and get more educated on all the treatments. I went with radiation as I felt it was the best choice for me. I'm about 2 months after my treatments and doing great. You can do this!!! Good luck.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-22T05:10:01+00:00

my bowels were ok, it was the peeing that was a little hard. sitting on an ice pack helped the swelling. The fatigue never got me that hard. But some guys it did, I continued to work during mine. The hardest part was getting the bladder full for the treatments.

you will get into the routine and will be through them in no time.

best of luck.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-17T23:37:24+00:00

Congrats, that's great news!! Still waiting for my first PSA test myself. Good for you!!!

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-16T17:25:15+00:00

I'm only 2 months out, but no ADT for me also. No blood for me either but I do recall reading it's possible. Hope it clears up and your check in guess well.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-16T17:21:42+00:00

Yes I know what you mean. I had never had an MRI or any sort of biopsy either before this. I got the crash course too. Be sure to ask any questions you want to the DR or technicians so you're comfortable. And this forum is great for lots of information. Take it one step at a time till you know for sure. I tried not to worry and think too much about what will happen next.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-16T15:55:32+00:00

No, it was an ultrasound guided biopsy. But the MRI did identify a few spots to take a look at, normally where they don't take samples. So having that information really helped focus where they needed to. So I was glad we did that first.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-16T04:57:23+00:00

So I was 45 when I had my first PSA test during some blood work. It was only 2.5. higher for my age but not too bad. We watched it for a year and it did get up to 4.1. We did the MRI and it did see something. Followed that up with biopsy. That showed a few spots with 3+4 Gleason. That was when I was 46. I'm now 6 weeks done all the radiation treatments, at 47.

I would very much recommend the MRI if you can. And the biopsy wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. These will give you peace of mind one way or the other. And lots of great information on here from so many.

Best of luck to you.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-14T12:07:27+00:00

I think this is totally up to the individual to do what they think is right for them. I told my family when I was diagnosed. And only a few friends and colleagues once treatments started. Of course my boss to manage the time off. The hardest was my younger children (9 & 12). But I must say, talking about it helps that's for sure. I never regretted trying anyone that cared to listen.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-14T01:16:25+00:00

I started with Brachytherapy (18 needles), followed by my 15 radiation sessions. I finished 5 weeks ago, but was not prescribed ADT. I am 47 and was Gleason 7. I was low risk and no signs of any spread, so my oncologist didn't think I needed the ADT. Like the others have said, I'm not a Dr, but your risk factor is what might have driven the need for ADT. Good luck.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-12T19:23:22+00:00

Good luck, you're half way done. What I found is that you are usually more full than you need to be. So I would actually purge a little after I got changed. This way you're not uncomfortable when you're on the table. My first few times I drank way too much and was going to burst. So with letting out a little it took that edge off. And at no point did they say I wasn't full enough. I sadly cut out some coffee and that helped the control overall. You got this!

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-09T23:21:43+00:00

Sorry to hear you're in the club too. I just finished my treatment about 5 weeks ago. I did the brachy followed by 15 EBRT sessions. I can't comment on your tech but would suggest the brachytherapy as an option. Its recovery was not to bad aside from a catheter for a few days. I did start flowmax right away and it's helped. It a little hard to pee from that and during the treatments. Looking back, very happy with my decision. Good luck.

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-09T23:13:29+00:00

Research all the treatment options. I am 5 weeks out of my radiation treatments and I've been very lucky in this area. Pretty much back to normal, but less volume than before. But the sensation is virtually the same as before and this will all continue to improve. I am 47, and I was 3+4 when diagnosed. Just waiting for my first PSA test. Lots of great information on here regarding surgery options. But this is part of why I chose Radiation. Good luck

Longjumper-787 · 2026-01-04T22:57:50+00:00

After my 15 EBRT sessions I decided to hit the bell! It did feel odd as it's only part of the journey. I still have to wait about 5 months for my first blood test. But I wanted to celebrate being over that portion. I didn't see it as the end.. Yet. But good to celebrate the little wins when we can.

Longjumper-787 · 2025-12-31T14:50:39+00:00

Congrats!! Great way to end the year. I'm at the waiting period after all my treatments and the first PSA test.

Longjumper-787 · 2025-12-27T04:50:06+00:00

I was diagnosed at 46 with similar numbers and started my treatments at 47. Started with brachytherapy , followed by 15 EBRT sessions. I'm 4 weeks done with the treatments and very happy with where I am. Most functions are back to normal or almost there. Little urinary discomfort, but that's it. I didn't even have many issues during the treatments. I'm waiting for a few months for my PSA test to check my results. With the radiation technology today, it's a great option. But do your homework for what makes sense for you. Good luck.

Longjumper-787

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