Docetaxel Chemo – the highs and the lows - - Page 6Advanced or metastatic cancer

User

Posted 01 Mar 2017 at 08:19

Good news David.

Good to see your PSA dropping like a stone.

Long may it continue.

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"

User

Posted 01 Mar 2017 at 08:28

Thanks Dave.

Please keep us updated with your progress now that your chemo sessions have finished.

I intend to start a new thread when my chemo is over entitled something along the lines of 'From docetaxel to ??? - the interregnum' where I'll detail what happens next.

User

Posted 01 Mar 2017 at 10:30

I definately look forward to joining your new thread when it comes along.

Now that my 6 cycles are complete I am awaiting the Pet scan on 8th March and the results of that.

My Onco has said that if the results are good he will keep me off further treatments for a while (apart from my 3 monthly Zoladex injections), but if he feels that more Chemo may be benefitial at this stage he may recommend a further 2 cycles as I stood up well to the chemo. A bit of wait and see going on presently.

All the best.

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"

User

Posted 01 Mar 2017 at 19:57

Well done

User

Posted 02 Mar 2017 at 19:42

I'm piggy backing this thread because I learned today that I shall start chemo in a couple of weeks. Not troubled about that at all, partly thanks to all the reassuring input from blokes who have been through it. I was surprised to be told that I would have up to TEN cycles, though. Anyone, any thoughts on why so many cycles? I have three known Mets, two in groin area, one behind my windpipe and then a suspicious small spot in my liver. PSA has been gradually rising (to 4.6) as abiraterone's beneficial effects over the past three years have eased. I'm perfectly fit so expect to be able to handle the process and have been assured that the process will stop if/when I can no longer handle it. Just a bit surprised not to be offered the standard (?) six cycles. Comments invited!

User

Posted 02 Mar 2017 at 20:55

AC,

I asked this very question of my Onco last Tuesday. I was minded to do so by dave_stuart488 who is also having late chemo (rather than early chemo which is given as standard at start of treatment nowadays). My question was "why do some Oncos prescribe 6 cycles of late chemo whereas others prescribe 10? I know of one chap who is just as fit as me and is just having 6 cycles". I think she said that some Oncos prescribe 6 because that is what is used for early chemo. She prescribes 10 because she says it was empirically proved back in 2001 when docetaxel replaced another chemo drug (can't remember the name but I think it started with an m) that 10 was the most effective number in providing the longest period of respite following treatment.

User

Posted 04 Mar 2017 at 08:52

Infusion 6 Day 5

F'ing Ondansetron ('The Basturds')!

The previous 3 infusions I'd reached a nice balance between preventing any significant constipation and taking The Basturds to prevent nausea. Did the same again this time, complete bowel lock down for two days. Dynorod called in again.

If I ever get my hands on the person who developed this evil little substance! Grrrrr!

So if you are unlucky enough to have to take Ondansetron, never assume you've got it tamed, it's as mean as the meanest thing that has ever been called mean.

User

Posted 04 Mar 2017 at 10:45

If you looked back over all the members on here that have had chemo I think you would find that 10 cycles is more common and 6 cycles only really made an appearance with the 'early chemo' trials.

Sorry about the basturds, Col.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 04 Mar 2017 at 16:59

I can answer my own question having done some research. It seems that the optimum treatment has been shown to be 10 cycles. More confers no benefit. Fewer not such good results in terms of years of survival. So 10 it will be for me if I can take it. Strange to think that will take me right through the summer, probably having to wear a beanie, to disguise hair loss. On second thoughts perhaps a straw hat will do!
AC

User

Posted 04 Mar 2017 at 18:57

AC, treat yourself to one of the bamboo beanies made specially for chemo patients. The straw hat might be a bit too harsh if your head gets sore :-(

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 04 Mar 2017 at 21:12

My brother's thin straight hair has grown back thick and curly so there's always that to look forward to!

User

Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 08:35

Checking in to see how you are doing David.

As you know I completed my 6 cycles last month and had my PET scan last week. Well the results are in.

Our friend Docatoxal has not only reduced my lung mets by 70% but has gone and reduced my bone mets by 90%.

My Onco is so impressed he has gone and booked me in for 2 further Chemo cycles, so I am back on the Chemo bus next Tuesday.

All the very best to you.

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"

User

Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 10:24

That's a brilliant result Dave :-)

User

Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 16:49

That is very good news Dave.

Did your Onco give further information on what it all means, i.e. if the lung mets have decreased by 70% and the bone mets by 90% does this mean you can expect a reasonably long period of remission before further treatment becomes necessary?

Re the further two chemo cycles, did the Onco explain what he hoped the beneficial effects would be from the further chemo?

Any info you can provide would be appreciated because it's not going to be too long before I'll be asking these very same questions regarding myself.

User

Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 17:40

David,

My Onco is not sure if this means a longer period of remission or not. He gave me the option of resting my treatment presently and monitoring my PSA with him every 6 weeks. He said the PSA could stay low (presently 0.3) for some time (months) or it could raise quickly at which point more Chemo would be needed. but by that time may not be successful as Chemo presently and my fitness to fight the cancer may not be as good as it is now. The alternative is to make hay when the sun shines and carry on with the Chemo while it is doing a good job. I plumped for that option.

Regards

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"

User

Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 23:32

Fantastic result! Way to go Dave.

Cheers

Eleanor

User

Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 23:32

Fantastic result! Way to go Dave.

Cheers

Eleanor

User

Posted 19 Mar 2017 at 17:23

Infusion 6 Day 20

Side effects during this infusion have worsened. The peripheral neuropathy is a bit more of a problem, it isn't pain as such, just the numbness and tingling isn't particularly pleasant. The finger and toe nails don't look so good, one finger and one toe nail look a bit dodgy, I hope I don't lose them, or if I do, then they aren't painful. However, all that said, I see no reason not to want to continue on with Infusion 7.

User

Posted 19 Mar 2017 at 18:47

I recommend more beer. And maybe some pork scratchings.

Look after yourself.

User

Posted 19 Mar 2017 at 20:18

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Infusion 6 Day 20

Side effects during this infusion have worsened. The peripheral neuropathy is a bit more of a problem, it isn't pain as such, just the numbness and tingling isn't particularly pleasant. The finger and toe nails don't look so good, one finger and one toe nail look a bit dodgy, I hope I don't lose them, or if I do, then they aren't painful. However, all that said, I see no reason not to want to continue on with Infusion 7.

Keep going David.

I start Infusion 7 on Tuesday, so we will be neck and neck on our journey.

All the best

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"

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Docetaxel Chemo – the highs and the lows

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