Chemotherapy with metastatic prostate cancer

So sorry to hear about your husband. He really has not had time to fully recover from the surgery. Some of the guys on chemo use ice packs on their hands and feet during infusion. It is a holiday weekend, but some of the others will chime in soon.
Michael

Diana,
Mets to spine is such a hard one to deal with. My heart goes out to you and your hubby. I hope he can rebound enough to try the chemo. Do you know if his cancer is neuroendocrine? His PSA is still pretty low for all the involvement he has going on. Please keep posting. If nothing else, we're here to lend a shoulder (so to speak), but you will probably also get some good advise on what might help at this juncture. I know Jordan is also recovering from back surgery and going through rehab. I think his was fairly similar to your husband's. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a tx that helps control those mets!
Beth

Is your husband strong right now? Mentally and physically? Chemo can be a tough grind and can definitely have an impact on quality of life.
There are some guys on this forum that have stated that chemo was not that bad but my experience wasn't that good. But I was/am young and strong and also switched to a more involved chemo after 3 rounds of Taxotere.
My dad is suffering right now with a rare cancer that has several tumors growing rapidly near his internal organs. He made a choice to avoid chemo and try to live more fully in his last few months.
I sure you're husband is not in the same shape as my dad but if he's ready to submit to side effects that definitely have a QOL impact, and the doctors believe there is a good chance of enhancing overall survival or reducing tumor load, then it might be worth trying.
Whatever you decide, hope your hubby is comfortable and helping himself heal for whatever is ahead. He's got great support with you at his side.

Need4, so sorry to hear about your husbands (and your) ordeal.
If it's really a Hail Mary, seems like it's your husbands very personal decision, how much he wants to fight. With a wife like you being so supportive, and at such a relatively young age, I hope he makes a decision to fight this thing, with guidance from the Drs.

He can always start the chemo with an understanding that if it gets too hard, he can change direction.
Best wishes, and my prayers go out to you both

Thank you so much Ed!Your story encourages me. All of the input I've received has been so helpful.

Yes I experienced neuropathy in my hands and feet during chemo and I still have some in my hands almost 3 years later. But as Ed-Bar said, I would do it again. The benefits outweighed the costs for me.

I do think you have to have some strength and a pretty good attitude going into chemo. The side effects can wipe you out with fatigue, loss of taste and hair, neuropathy, among other things. These aren't life threatening things but they can be difficult to endure especially if it's on top of other issues.

Wishing you well as you work through this!

As you said, it's an individual choice but if your medical team thinks it's a good idea then you should consider it.

Hello Need4Info,

Hoping that your husband is showing some signs of strength and recovery by now.

A friend of mine had the back surgery for metastatic cancer compression, as you described in your post. He then decided to go through a second series of chemotherapy treatments and is experiencing success in those treatments. With great determination, it took him some weeks to regain his strength, following the back surgery. At the current time, he is active and able to walk, pursue his career, and participate in normal activities, as his chemotherapy treatments continue.

When we last heard from you, Need4Info, you were at a juncture in your decision-making process --- concerning chemotherapy treatments. Fork in the road decision for you, I know ... what to do ? That's the question ...

Sometimes, the answers aren't clear-cut ... I always say this diagnosis did NOT come with an instruction manual ... or a road map with a compass !

Each case is unique --- each patient's case must be carefully considered and assessed. I know you are dealing with a case that has some complexities. This is when the expertise and experience of trusted doctors becomes essential --- they must consider the overall health of the patient and the potential for side effects, contrasted with the potential of positive treatment outcomes.

I have gone through a series of TAXOTERE chemotherapy infusions, with my oncologist's blessing. I was diagnosed with an advanced case of prostate cancer three years ago when I was still in my 40s. I felt I needed to do everything that I could to fight back against my cancer. I've pursued every treatment presented to me so far, with some meaningful successes along the way. I give thanks for that, every single day, and I don't take a single day for granted.

I know that I was fortunate, for I saw a very positive impact from the chemo treatments and experienced very mild side effects. I give thanks for that every day. Since then, I have vowed to help other friends of mine who face the same diagnosis and I have agreed to be a "chemo coach" mentor for other friends of mine who have also pursued the same chemotherapy treatments I did. Many of my friends also experienced success from the treatments and also experienced mild side effects. My doctor watched over me with great care, compassion, and vigilance as I went through chemotherapy treatments. We have MANY fellows right here on this forum who have pursued chemo treatments --- past, present, and ongoing.

With all of this in mind --- and the decisions you mentioned in your original post --- I would highly recommend that you search for this thread title in the archives of this forum. Simply go up to the right-hand corner of your screen and type in this title: "Taxotere Side Effects" --- that thread title will immediately appear and you can then find a very informative thread created by many of us here who have undergone chemotherapy treatments.

We might be referred to as the "Chemo Club" or the "Chemo Comrades" --- at any rate, that thread title mentioned above has been put together, bit-by-bit, over the course of the past months. It has been written in a "one brother to another brother" style to give our first-hand experiences with chemotherapy. The main purpose of the thread is to give other members a first-hand look at what they can expect if they decide to pursue chemotherapy treatments, after careful consultation with their oncologist.

The thread now contains a wide range of responses, detailing a wide variety of experiences --- all of which would give you insightful background if your husband decides to pursue chemotherapy treatments. Best of all, the thread also provides insightful tips and strategies to mitigate and minimize the side effects that can accompany chemotherapy treatments. You will find the thread most helpful if you are still considering a series of chemo treatments !

I wanted to reach out to you and your husband, hoping that you have consulted with your doctors and have reached a decision. After reading your post, I was thinking about you and wanted to reach out with a message about the "Taxotere Side Effects" thread that would help you navigate through a series of chemo treatments, if that is the path that you follow.

We're here to lend support, advice, a listening ear --- we've got dedicated and caring members from all over this great country of ours --- with loyal members from across the globe, as well. Moral support is a powerful thing ... and this forum is a shining example of that, each and every day ... 'round the clock ... morning, noon, and night ...

Thinking of you and hoping this finds you doing your best, Need4Info !

Sent with my very best, from across the miles,

Iowa State University CYCLONE Fan

Diana-

I am sad to learn how quick all of this has happened for you and your husband- I wish you both peace and comfort wherever you can find them. I wish there had been more time for you both to share with us here on the forum, time to learn about and from each other.

rf

Dear Diana

I am just reaching out to you and your husband today to let you both know of my concern for you and the
road you are traveling. I am a person of faith and will be praying that this time together will be exceedingly special. That your love for each other will be deeper and more real than even the time when you were both just beginning to fall in love. My prayer for you today is for relief of pain- physical as well as emotional,strength, hope in and for the future, remembrance and reflections of times of joy, and most of all times of laughter each day. Please try to stay in touch here at HW. This just hit me, even though there are miles of separation from each of us, in reality you have been invited into each of our homes. To sit and and visit about real life situations that each of us can relate to and with. In some ways better than friends and family members just because we have been there or know those that have already gone down these roads. It takes everything we can to battle this disease. I am sure you agree, we are all thankful for this site. Happy Fourth of July- I hope that you both can have some enjoyment from the day. Blessings - David in Houston

Hi Diane - it is hard to read your words, maybe as hard as it is for you to type them. As we all sit here and try to help those posters who come on here for guidance, sometimes we can't offer enough help and that hurts us all. I am encouraged that you are spending some great quality time with your husband and the kids. Family support is paramount in our battle. Sometimes just the extra time I spend with my kids makes me feel better and I have a better day. Sending you my sincerest best wishes. Take care. -JR

Diana, it's so hard to know the right words to say but please know that you and your husband are in my prayers. You sound like a beautiful person and your husband is blessed to have you by his side.
Marie