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Docetaxel Chemo – the highs and the lows

User
Posted 11 Apr 2017 at 19:33

Infusion 8 Day 1

PSA up from 3.12 to 3.38 and all other bloods results were good.

I talked this over with my lovely Onco plus my current experiences with peripheral neuropathy, finger & toe nails and mild oedema. She saw no reason not to continue with the full chemo doses and authorised infusions 8 and 9. I meet with her again on the day of infusion 10 which is scheduled to be the last one.

Am I worried about any of the above? Nope. Worry is a useless emotion, it does no good, it just makes things worse. Therefore, I choose not to tolerate it.

Infusion 8 completed without any problems.

Today's MK.

A song about the Boys from the Blackstuff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA1g33J5NjA

And the US Presidential handover, there are a few words here that Mr Trump should listen to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1axx2FJUTg

 

Edited by member 13 Apr 2017 at 06:56  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 11 Apr 2017 at 23:52

What a star you are David! Keep grooving on down...

Hugs

Eleanor

PS not sure Trump is worth any more thought than your toe nails - and probably a great deal less.

User
Posted 12 Apr 2017 at 07:06
Talking of Trump check this out

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SzcjexXZ6yg

User
Posted 12 Apr 2017 at 23:34

Hi,  I have just seen your post re temperatures-  luckily I have an ear thermometer which takes the temperature in a couple of seconds.  I used to take it 3 or more times a day. One evening it was 38.4 so I phoned the oncology section and they said 'call an ambulance immediately'.  When I got to the hospital I was rushed through A&E and had intravenous antibiotics etc. I had to stay in for 5 days with neutropenic sepsis!  That was after the third Docetaxel session of 6.

I have now finished the 6 chemo sessions (about 7 weeks ago and have just finished with the steroids) but am having a lot of trouble with my nails, both finger and toe. I have had infections under 4 of them already; 2 courses of antibiotics and have lost one fingernail and it looks as if I will lose the two big toenails at least, most of the others have blood blisters under them!  I expect they will grow back in time! Also the nerves in the finger tips feel very sensitive but I think they are slowly returning to normal.  My ankles have been swollen so I am on water tablets but they don't seem to have sorted the swelling.

I still get tired very quickly- I thought I would feel stronger more quickly.  I can walk a couple of miles or cycle 8 miles but only if it is fairly level.

At least the hormones have reduced the PSA from 519.0 to 5.48- the first time it has been within the limits of 0.1 to 6.5 shown on the blood test sheet!

Best wishes, Gromit.

User
Posted 13 Apr 2017 at 06:00

Very good news on the PSA front Gromit

I trust the other issues will be sorted now you are complete with the Chemo

Regards

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"
User
Posted 17 Apr 2017 at 10:35

Infusion 8 Day 7

Nothing different this cycle. The usual battle with The Basturds, crapiness as expected, peripheral neuropathy always a bit more of a problem at the start of the cycle than it is at the end and the nails remain a challenge (my lovely Onco came up with a new medical term when she saw my nails in that she described them as 'skanky', presumably from the Latin 'immunda' http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif). I've got a good tip though for anyone suffering from nails becoming detached from the nail bed: Corn Wraps. These are designed to protect your toes when you have a corn but they work brilliantly on the fingers in that they protect the nail from catching, stubbing, etc, and make the nail feel more comfortable by closing the gap between the nail and nail bed. The only downside is you look like a complete dickhead walking around with Corn Wraps on your fingers but, hey, a little dickheadishness is no deterrent to me. 

And so to today's MK. Three reflective songs.

An old ship making it's last journey, So far from the Clyde:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWObmq1RZxg

No introduction needed, Remembrance Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb3go4v_7no

Another tribute to the WWI dead, Piper to the End:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bLUdfykrQM

 

Edited by member 23 May 2017 at 14:08  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 Apr 2017 at 08:07

Still plenty of options David.

Long way still to go.

All the best.

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"
User
Posted 24 Apr 2017 at 20:44

Infusion 8 Day 14

I was chatting with a Croquet playing friend this weekend about my PCa. He said he was glad that I still had my 'sang-froid'.

Which brought this to mind.

 

3 Frenchmen and an Englishman are having a drink together in a cafe in Paris.

Englishman: You have some wonderful phrases in the French language. I've always wondered what sang-froid means.

1st Frenchman: I will explain.

The husband he comes home unexpectedly at lunchtime. He unlocks the front door. He goes into the lounge.

He hears noises from the bedroom upstairs. He listens for a few moments and then quietly goes out of the front door, locks the door and goes back to work.

That is sang-froid.

2nd Frenchman: Non, non, non! That is not sang-froid, that is savoir faire. I will explain the meaning of sang-froid.

The husband he comes home unexpectedly at lunchtime. He unlocks the front door. He goes into the lounge.

He hears noises from the bedroom upstairs. He goes up the stairs. He opens the bedroom door. He sees the wife in bed with the lover.

He quietly closes the bedroom door. He goes down the stairs. He goes through the lounge and then quietly goes out of the front door, locks the door and goes back to work.

That is sang-froid.

3rd Frenchman: Non, non, non! That is not sang-froid, that is laissez-faire. I will explain the meaning of sang-froid.

The husband he comes home unexpectedly at lunchtime. He unlocks the front door. He goes into the lounge.

He hears noises from the bedroom upstairs. He goes up the stairs. He opens the bedroom door. He sees the wife in bed with the lover.

He watches for a few moments and then says to the lover: continuer!

Now, if the lover can continuer, then that is sang-froid.

 

Today's MK.

A song about Napoleon, Done With Bonaparte:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ClOcxsDDY

And, The Scaffolder's Wife:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blC-scRu99A

 

User
Posted 24 Apr 2017 at 20:55

ha ha ha

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

User
Posted 24 Apr 2017 at 21:42

I like his music a great deal, still smiling about your story. Charlton seem to be doing a bit better now, so my life is good too 😅

User
Posted 24 Apr 2017 at 21:51

You are unexpectedly cosmopolitan for a Colchester supporter young David!

E

x

User
Posted 24 Apr 2017 at 22:00
Another take on sang froid

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YDY3T_cpNJ8

User
Posted 02 May 2017 at 20:47

Infusion 9 Day 1

PSA up from 3.38 to 4.98. My readings whilst on chemo have formed an inverse normal curve. Unfortunately it looks like the recent rise in readings are moving up at a faster velocity than they moved down. My guess, from consulting the graph I have drawn, is that my next PSA reading in three weeks time will be in the region of 8.5. There will be much to discuss with my lovely Onco.

I think my hopes of having a break in treatment until the end of the summer are looking very over optimistic.

Infusion 9 completed without any problems.

Today's MK.

A song about shoes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5jiKCKAJjQ

And a song about the writer, Beryl Bainbridge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vczr6WNmvtw

 

User
Posted 02 May 2017 at 23:21

Oh that's a bugger David...Really sorry that the likelihood of a break in treatment is receding.

Only cheering aspect is that all these infusions are improving my knowledge of MK no end; an unexpected and entirely delightful side effect of having an OH with PCa. And of discovering you!

Cheers

Eleanor

x

User
Posted 03 May 2017 at 16:23

Good to hear your update David,

I have now left the Chemo bus after 8 cycles. My Onco says I could do with a rest from treatment for the time being. I see him again in 6 weeks time for a PSA update (presentlly < 1.0) and as he tells me he has plenty of treatments up his sleeve I am not complaining.

You asked me what further treatments he mentioned. This time I made a note, so in no particular order here they are:


Cabazitaxel

Mitoxantrone

Zytiga / Aberaeron

Enzalutamide / Xtandi

Immunotherapy drugs

Well they seem enough to be getting on with , so hopefully, when they are exhausted there will be something new that comes along

All the best of wishes to you David

Regards


Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"
User
Posted 03 May 2017 at 18:06

Infusion 9 Day 2

I have to admit I was feeling a bit sorry for myself yesterday. It wasn't the result I was hoping for. However, I've had a good rub down with an oily rag and the old dog is back, woofing, wagging his tail and chilling out, just like Oddball:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5cL-h3Pj1o

 

User
Posted 03 May 2017 at 18:12

Glad you've got your mojo back!!

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 06 May 2017 at 10:37

Infusion 9 Day 5

Nothing different this cycle, just the usual side effects.

This thread is now drawing to it's close with a maximum of one more infusion due. Therefore, I think it's time to close down the MK songs. If I've created a love for MK in you, there is a really excellent Sky Arts documentary about the man here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3SgyZSYz4Y

Today's MK is a love song. A love song to a maker of musical instruments, John Monteleone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKGtCfc6cQ

I'll post one more MK song, this will be my favourite of all time. Laters.

 

 

Edited by member 06 May 2017 at 10:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 May 2017 at 10:09

David,

I Look forward to to you starting the post Chemo thread and the continuing journey.

Regards

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"
User
Posted 10 May 2017 at 18:54

A few developments yesterday and today. A slightly elevated temperature and a general 'off' feeling led David to call the hospital as per general instructions. Blood tests indicated an infection and antibiotics were administered via drip. A chest x-ray indicated an infection in the left lung so they have kept him in to administer further antibiotics and monitor progress. The decision to do this wasn't made till well after 5.00 pm so almost all the evening food had gone http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif! However, they managed to find him a bit of  lancashire hotpot http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif!

Hopefully he'll be out in 2 - 3 days.

Linda

 

 
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