The biggest impact was revolving around my radiotherapy treatment session each day for 4 weeks. The treatment was initially concerning (the unknown always is) but once you get into the routine of it all - it's fine. I also took 7 weeks off work - I figured cancer is a good enough excuse ;)
Yes
Once the C bomb was dropped I did a lot of personal research of the options available. A book on surviving prostate cancer, was a good read and the Prostate Cancer Research Institute puts up new videos of the latest developments each week on Youtube. Being early stage 2 (Gleason 3 + 4) my oncologists offered me either surgery or hormone / beam radiation. Surgery was at the bottom of my list (unless you're into pain). But I also read about the nasty side effects that hormonal therapy can have. So I asked if they could drop the hormone treatment and just go straight to beam radiotherapy. Because my prostate wasn't enlarged they went with that option - and I'm so glad we did. I've had no side effects with the beam radiation treatment - it's been an enjoyable 6 or 7 week break from work :) I initially wanted brachytherapy but the cancer had spread beyond the tumour - which meant the whole prostate had to be radiated. The only side effect is it takes me a little longer to urinate that's it - everything else is in working order ;) It's been two weeks since my last session and today was supposed to be day where the accumulated radiation made me feel my worst. Instead I feel great and tomorrow I'm catching up with a mate to have a few celebratory beers down by the river :)
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