Treated 2009 · Posted 2012
"My greatest fear and concern as I explored my treatment options was related to side effects."
I have hesitated to write about my proton experience as it seemed so easy and normal and successful. My prostate cancer was almost a non-event, as there were never any symptoms and hardly any side effects. The discovery of my 3+3 Gleason cancer was through a normal DRE at a yearly physical with my local doctor.
My time at Loma Linda University Medical Center was truly a "radiation vacation" as my partner, Kim, and I explored the area from Joshua Tree to Palm Springs to San Diego to Laguna Beach to San Onofre weekend after weekend, running our respective businesses from our Redland Hills casita. Do I deserve to call myself a "cancer survivor?"
My greatest fear and concern as I explored my treatment options was related to side effects, and I chose the proton treatment for the reported low incidence of side effects. During my treatments I had the usual increased urgency to pee and some pain in the occasional sexual encounter (ejaculatory pain) which my doctor assured me would go away post-treatment as it was a product of the irritated tissues from the radiation treatments.
I am happy to report that both of these side effects diminished and disappeared quickly, soon after the treatments ended. Completely normal functions returned in no time. Now, three years later and at age 64 I am only peeing an average of once a night and surprisingly, erections seem to be getting stronger! My PSA is now .4.
I frequently say, if you have to have cancer, this is the one you want ... and proton radiation is a great way to go for healing!