Thanks for the posts, Cathy and Danny Boy. The more I listen to people who have personal and upclose knowledge of this disease, the more I feel that radiation is a "no-brainer" decision. I am calling the RO when his office opens up this morning and setting up a "first consult" appointment. (The one I chickened out of, er, I mean put off 'til post-op). We will have a little heart to heart, and see what Dana Farber expertise has to offer.

You guys are the best, keep up the good fight!
Andrea

Recent research on prostate cancer has shown a greatly significant reduction in recurrence and improvement in survival and disease-free survival when patients were given local radiation after surgery, even if surgical margins were all negative. While this is of course NOT the same type of cancer, it does emphasize the point made by many in this forum, the risk of surgery mssing small centers of cancer cells.

While radiation is no walk in the park, most of the deleterious side effects go away or can be ameliorated -- read the OCF web site for insights into these. We did, applied the excellent recommendations from this and from folks on this forum, and Barry is doing very well only 2 1/2 weeks out from treatment.

Gail

Gail,
I'm glad to hear Barry has come through the gauntlet and is doing well! That's very heartening for you, I'm sure, and for the rest of us looking for good news and hope.
The OCF site has literally been a life and sanity saver, with all the information available on the main site, and the input from the people who are in the frontlines, so to speak on the board forums. I am taking the bit in my teeth and running with it, appt with RO on the 25th, and followup with ENT on the 26th.

Keeping fingers and toes crossed...
Andrea

Hello Amdrea,

Remember to ask your doctor what type of radiation he is recommending and why. There can be less side effects from IMRT vs. standard radiation. Kind of like comparing a sniper rifle (IMRT) to a shotgun. Good luck as you start your journey to recovery. Also remember to measure your progress in weeks not days. A rule of thumb is one week recovery for each week of radiation.
The effects of radiation will last a few weeks after you end it. You will get better. It just takes time.

All My Best, Danny Boy

Aw Danny Boy,
Thanks for the advice.
You gotta know you're my hero. Whenever the nagging conundrums threaten to pull me down, I just think of you and I KNOW I can fight this blighter to a standstill.

Live well,
Andrea