a_gearhead@yahoo.com (ronald t.

Hey everybody,


Thanks for all your replies to my last post. To recap I'm 62,
recurrent PSA positive at 1.38. RRP 1994. PSA undetectable till 2000.
I'm in need of more info. I had planned on moving from North Carolina
to Arizona this fall. I've had a bone scan and a prostascint done,
thanks again for the motivation. The oral results from a nurse show
no distance metastasis. I can't get in to see my Doctor till August
21st. From reading the boards I expect that my treatment will be
external beam radiation to the prostate bed. I'd like to plan.

Can those of you who have undergone radiation for local recurrence
give me a ballpark on the length of treatment and cost. I'm
uninsured. Are we talking weeks, or months. Since I can't get in to
my Doctor for 6 weeks, should I be thinking about moving to AZ before
treatment? I hate to miss the house selling season. If I don't act
quickly, I'll be stuck here for another year.

Thanks,

Ron

dave p

Ron,

Expect to get radiation for about 8 weeks give or take a few days. Monday -
Fridays usually with weekends off. The treatments last from 10-20 minutes
per day.

It is quite expensive and since you don't have insurance you should check
into alternatives - medicare, medicaid etc. Don't let the insurance/payment
discourage you. You are entitled to coverage and you will get it. I am sure
you will only be responsible for a very minute amount of the total bill.
Other people on this newsgroup that didn't have insurance or know of
individuals without insurance should be able to point you in the right
direction.

I would get the treatment as soon as possible if it were me. Research
reports that the best results are achieved when radiation begins before the
psa is <.2

Remember - your suriving is the most important thing in the world right now
to alot of people, especially for yourself. Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give
Up. You may have to sacrifice and wait to go to Arizona or if you can work
things out you may be able to get the treatment in Arizona. Make sure you
go to a qualified facility with solid physicians. Be proactive and get
things done as soon as possible.

Again, do what you have to do - no matter what the cir***stances. You need
to possess a good attitude to get through this. Be on a mission to complete
the radiation and let nothing stop you or get in your way.

Wishing you the best.

Dave P