This newsletter is for the express purpose of entertaining and educating of my immediate male relatives and friends. The information provided is believed to be accurate but it is always wise to check with your own doctor(s).

Monday, August 19, I went in for my "simulation." This involved being x-rayed to determine my body geometry and then tattooed in four spots – one on each hip and two in the pubic area. These small dots (1 mm in diameter) will be used to align the old body when it is time to get zapped.

Next we went up stairs for a CAT scan. The dots were used to align my pelvic area with the machine. The CAT scan produces a three dimensional picture of the prostate and the surrounding body parts. This information is used determine the profiling of the radiation so the prostate gets the zap and other parts do not.

Dr. Glover and I went over the x-rays. The CAT scan takes a while to be "developed." All this took about an hour and a half.

I experienced a small amount of pain when a catheter was inserted so my bladder could be filled with a dye the x-ray and CAT scan can see. Then there were four needle sticks when I was tattooed. Otherwise the whole process just required lying still.

My radiation begins, Wednesday, August 28. The first session should take less than half an hour. Each session thereafter should take less than 15 minutes. More detail in the next newsletter.

The short answer is no. The IMRT planning is fairly complex and time consuming. So the plan is to do 3D conformal radiation in the 70 rem range for the first 25 sessions while the IMRT planning is completed. Then IMRT will be applied. This is called the "boost." The boost provides higher intensity radiation in the 80 rem range but more localized to do a better job of expunging the cancer. More detailed information in the next newsletter.

Andy and I did go to France for the Tour de France. We had a great time!

The only "problem" was that I wasn't climbing the mountains quite like I did three years ago. Dr. Shaheen had warned me that Lupron might reduce my strength. Actually it was endurance that seemed to suffer. On the flats I could keep up. It was climbing the mountains that required frequent recovery stops. Just a couple of minutes and then on again. I also felt heavier (water retention - again forewarned). But it was a marvelous trip never the less!

You bet! At the last meeting Dr. Brad Tamler reviewed the ten year stats on seed implants. Fascinating stuff. He also reviewed his criteria for selecting patients for seeds.

Also at the last meeting I learned that my hot flashes are likely to last a few more months even though I am past the end of my last shot's duration. That's because it takes almost as much time as the duration of the shots for the testosterone system to restart.

So, if you are in town on a first Wednesday, plan on going to the Group meeting ­ they are full of information and you can meet some great people!

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