The million dollar question

User

Posted 22 Feb 2024 at 15:48

Hi Phil, wondering how you got on with the second round of Chemo ? Hoping its going well and the danged Cancer has been forced back into hiding.

Had my blood test today , see consultant next week. Bit nervous as my PSA went up last time … 😬

Take care

Phil

User

Posted 23 Feb 2024 at 07:38

Hi there

Tend not to give to many updates on thread but do keep my bio up on profile.

Had 3rd session a couple of days ago,coping well thanks,oncology appointment with PSA results in about 3 weeks should find out more then.

Thanks for getting in touch and good luck with your results,it's a stressful time waiting to see if your PSA is up or down.

Regards Phil

User

Posted 14 Mar 2024 at 16:11

Hi guys

Update time..4th chemo (docetaxel)done and coping well,had onco appointment today.PSA down to 23 from 26 expected it to be more but my last PSA blood test was about a month before treatment started so it would have probably risen more,I'm led to believe that PSA lowers slowly with chemo and at least it's going down not up,onco seems to think that because I'm coping so well with the treatment that he may up the cycles to 10 rather than the 6 I was initially put on,is this normal?

I'm thinking the more poison they pump into me the longer it will keep it at bay,am I right in thinking that?your thoughts would be welcome.

Stay strong everyone regards Phil

User

Posted 14 Mar 2024 at 17:01

Hi Phil. I would take a reduction any day, it’s a good indication. Don’t know about the increase in cycles , but must be good if he thinks you can cope with it ok.
Best of luck , fingers crossed for a nice reduction next test.

Hope you’re coping ok emotionally as it’s a roller coaster ride. Me and the missus had a rare cry together last night . Sometimes you just need to let it out .

Take care Phil,

Phil

User

Posted 14 Mar 2024 at 20:59

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I'm led to believe that PSA lowers slowly with chemo and at least it's going down not up

onco seems to think that because I'm coping so well with the treatment that he may up the cycles to 10 rather than the 6 I was initially put on,is this normal?

Sometimes, the PSA actually rises on chemo - think of it as the cancer screaming as it dies.

Yes, 10 sessions for men who are tolerating it well. We have had men here who went on to do it again - so 20 sessions in total - and one member who said he had done docetaxel 4 times over a period of a few years (so 40 infusions!)

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

User

Posted 04 Apr 2024 at 08:31

Hi guys

Just a quick update,5th chemo (docetaxel)cycle completed yesterday,just waiting for the steroid crash/fatigue,metal mouth and few aches and headaches to kick in but should be passed by Tuesday/Wednesday of next week if the other 4 cycles are anything to go by,next onco appointment and PSA results day after next cycle (in 3 weeks).

It was confirmed yesterday that my original 6 cycles has been up to 10 cycles,onco feels that I'm coping well with the chemo and thay want to blast it with the full 10 and I'll second that.

Stay strong everyone regards Phil

User

Posted 04 Apr 2024 at 09:25

Good luck Phil. Let’s hope this gives the cancer a bash on the head. Also hoping you feel ok through the side effects this time. 👍

Phil

User

Posted 04 Apr 2024 at 09:57

Nice one Phil. Some hope for us following behind you. Keep on gunning

User

Posted 04 Apr 2024 at 10:07

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Stay strong everyone regards Phil

It's your strength Phil, that is an inspiration to us all. Thank you.

User

Posted 25 Apr 2024 at 18:25

Hi all

It's update time,6th cycle of chemo done (docetaxel) 4 to go,PSA down from 21.5 in march to 16 so heading in the right direction so pleased with that,QOL pretty good.

Advice other people to keep a diary of symptoms and how to pace yourself for the 1st week after treatment I find that it helps.

Asked the question today with an appointment with my chemo chemist if the option when the time comes if I could repeat the docetaxel route again if I am coping with it so well and it is lowering my PSA she said it's not the norm and cabazitaxel is the next route but that may change when the time comes because new treatment are being released all the time,I shall ask the question again at my next oncologist appointment and may request a repeat course not ask.

Stay strong all and keep fighting the fight

Regards phil

User

Posted 25 Apr 2024 at 18:48

Thanks for update Phil. You’re doing remarkably well and keeping the faith for those of us behind you. I congratulate you for that on its own. All my very best to you and all fingers and toes crossed for you and a new treatment. 💪

User

Posted 25 Apr 2024 at 19:48

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

That might be the stance at that particular hospital. However, we have a number of members of this forum who have had 2 or 3 goes at docetaxel and one member who says he has had 10 lots of 6 rounds!

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

User

Posted 25 Apr 2024 at 21:39

Can only echo CJ's comments Phil. great update my man and so glad to hear your PSA has dropped.

Stay as cool as you always can and will be.

Lots of love brother.

Jamie.

User

Posted 26 Apr 2024 at 08:34

Thanks for the comments guys and I wont drop the discussion with my oncologist about giving docetaxel another bash if after completing my 10 cycles the cancer has been put to sleep for now,why shouldn't I be given the chance to try it again if it worked the first time round?if it doesn't work fine I'll take that and we move onto cabazitaxel.why should I throw this tool away never to be used again when it has preformed well and move onto to the next (which there isn't a lot left in the box)!!

Phil

User

Posted 26 Apr 2024 at 09:00

Hi Phil. Great news the Docetaxel is reducing your PSA so soon. And also excellent you are coping well with it.
We are all rooting for you 👍.

Take care

Phil

User

Posted 01 May 2024 at 09:43

Hi Phil. Well it appears I have climbed into your rickety inflatable boat. Is there room for me 😁… ?

Start Docetaxel in 3 weeks as the Abi obviously wasn’t working. I think I spotted on the consultants notes about my PCa being Hormone Independent now. So Orchidectomy would be pointless.

I was told 3 weekly cycles and up to 10 of them. I didn’t ask but how rigid are they with that as we’ve got 3 weddings in the UK this year and one in the US . Just hope I can still get travel insurance as it renews in a couple of days so I’ll need to tell them the changes.

Also are you using a cold cap ? I still have pretty good head of hair and it would be a shame to lose that along with everything else.

Anyway, hope you are still coping with the side effects ok . Interesting about keeping a diary , I will take that onboard.

Take care,

Phil

User

Posted 01 May 2024 at 17:54

Hi Phil

Loads of room on the good ship prostate,sorry to hear about the Abi failing,I presume generic testing and olaparib wasn't an option?

You'll be fine on docetaxel it is well tolerated and proven,there was no need for a cap with me and I'm as bold as coot before treatment,a bloke wearing a T shirt last week in the treatment room made me chuckle it read "chemo cures dandruff"!!

On the holiday front my oncologist advised against foreign travel so insurance maybe an issue,but I go away regular in this country,mainly the weekend before my infusion and they are rigid with the dates so I've noted infusion days in my diary and work around them.

Hope this helps All the best Phil

User

Posted 01 May 2024 at 18:06

Cheers mate, I’ll climb aboard.

Never asked about Olaparib. My consultant and his team always seem to have gone through my stuff beforehand and know what they’re going to offer. I’m happy with the chemo knowing my PCa is likely hormone independent. Just was getting my head round accepting the orchidectomy and then it seems it would be pointless. I wonder what the PCa eats it not testosterone 🤔.

Bit of a bugger if we cant do US in August. Booked flights, Airbnb and a hotel already … I will speak to the insurance company tomorrow .

I will ask about the cap when they call to arrange the first infusion.

Keep well mate,

Phil

Edited by member 01 May 2024 at 21:12 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 06 May 2024 at 18:55

Hi Phil,

Good to hear you're managing the docetaxel okay 2nd time around.

Think we will be getting chemo for my husband,. He had abiraterone and when it stopped working, he was tested for BRCA 2 and was positive so is currently on olaparib.

Worked for about 8 months but psa has been going up since February this year and last week a lymph node in his neck swollen to a big size. It's been confirmed as cancer but waiting to see if it is prostate spread. They think it's likely.

Appt with onc this week and dreading him having to have chemo again but he did mange docetaxel okay last time.

I had read BRCA 2 positive men sometimes are better with Cabazitaxel or carboplatin but I don't know for sure?

After your chemo, have they said what happens, do you just stay on hormones only?

Edited by member 07 May 2024 at 17:23 | Reason: Not specified

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 07 May 2024 at 08:16

Hi Mrs mas

I presume the question of what happens after chemo is directed at me,theres so many Phil's on this forum lol,perhaps there's link 🤣.

It's a bit of grey area what happens next,I think I'll be having scans and x-rays after my last infusion,I will continue the prostap 3 monthly injection and I presume I just sit back then and wait for the lid to rattle and the PSA to rise,I've been told cabazitaxel next for me but I'm going to push to repeat docetaxel.

Regards Phil

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