Session 22 (or is it 23?)

Session 22, March 23, 2010
Session 22 was a land mark appointment. On a humorous note I went in for treatment having forgotten to take off my underwear after 21 straight times of doing it. Was my unconscious at work protecting me from butt exposure? The therapists were as usual very graceful and when I apologized because they had to pull it out of the way to see my tattoos they said no big deal.

I’ve had not gas problems since blanding (new word) my diet and taking enzymes but bowel upset continues to be an issue. Here’s the big news. The worst is over. I was reminded by my doctor when I did my Tuesday review that the last 10 session are more narrowly focused on the prostate bed. The first 23 are broader and include the lymph nodes in the surrounding area. A consequence of this change is that the wall of my colon will be much left affected by the radiation. According to my doctor I should gradually experience less and les gastric upset. I do have to check in because I believe she said I had completed 23 but by my count that doesn’t happen until the next one.

Another consequence of reaching this milestone and seeing the end is in sight is that my perspective shifts to the future. In the beginning and on into the middle of treatment I was entirely preoccupied with getting through the treatment. My initial fears subsided as it became apparent both from my experience and the stories of others further along that I was unlikely to have sever side effects. Still the end seemed far away. Suddenly that is not the case. The end seems near and now I am focusing spontaneously on the impact of the radiation. Will it cure me; have no impact or something in between? I hadn’t thought about it but I know from previous experience that the weeks of waiting after the treatment before I can get a meaningful PSA result will be long and in some ways harder than the treatment.