Is it the number, or how you feel?

Gary had his three week blood work and medonc appt. His psa has now dropped back in to triple digits from a few months of quadruple digits! That was the good news.
His weight is now at 116. He is anemic and a few other blood counts were out of whack. He is very fatigued and often nauseated. It's pretty clear he is cachectic (has wasting disease).
Even though I tried to have a conversation about this, his medonc insisted that his weight loss was due to cannabis use that is causing his vomitting (he uses it to increase his appetite!). He said that is not what is wrong with Gary. I felt we were being scolded by our father.
Always in past his Dr. told us to focus on how Gary was feeling and not PSA number. Today, he just wanted to talk about the dropping PSA and how well this tx chemo is working for him.
Gary had his scheduled mitaxontrone after the onc nurse finally got in the IV.
It took him 3 tries this time. He has never been successful on first try of getting it in.
By the end of visit, we were both pretty disillusioned. We left with more questions than answers. I guess I should be happy his PSA is dropping, but if he can't afford any chemo crash weight loss.

Beth

Please give Gary our love. Unfortunately not all Doctors are the same. My original oncologist did not know anything about prostate Cancer. She looked up some very basic information on prostate cancer on her iPhone during our first visit. Since I have a rare form of cancer (ductal, which effects ~0.4%) this did not leave my wife and me feeling to good.

We are all in your corner as you both fight cancer!

Beth,

I never heard of pot causing vomiting, but that's a very common SE of chemo. I'm glad the PSA is coming down, and am hoping Gary's quality of life will improve as a result.

- Allen

Hello Beth and Gary ---

There's some good news shining through in your post, although I know you have worries and concerns that abound, as well. We acknowledge the clouds, but I ALSO see the silver lining in your words ...

I'm very thankful for the DROP in P.S.A. --- something is helping, something is working --- hope the treatments continue to help.

As for the infusions and getting the I.V. inserted ... one method that worked for me, getting the I.V. needle inserted into the top of my hand for chemo infusions --- and we use this technique now with monthly lab work, as well --- after much "trial and error" and exasperating attempts to find veins, we now have found a way that seems to finally WORK ... FINALLY !

The solution was easy, in the end ... they have me hold my hands under fairly warm running water for a few minutes to "draw up" the veins --- as my chemo treatments continued, I experienced what the nurses nicknamed "chemo veins" --- veins which tend to go into hiding, in some people --- holding my hands under warm running water drew the veins to the surface --- this is how I now do my usual monthly lab draws --- they draw labs from the top of my hand --- works MUCH better for me than trying to draw labs from my arms --- and I don't go home looking like a dart board full of holes anymore.

When I go to Mayo Clinic, they have WARMING BLANKETS which they use in my case --- both my arms are wrapped in these warm blankets for a few minutes, which then "draw up" the veins. Some places will use heated "hand warmers" placed on top of the hands for a few minutes ... you can ask about these methods --- I prefer the warm running water method ... quick and easy. Works for me ! I leave the lab MUCH happier now and with fewer bruises from failed attempts ... lab draws from the top of my hands now being the preferred method in my case !

As far as Gary's weight loss --- I know you are concerned, from the words in your post --- have you asked for the services of a dietician at the hospital ? A friend of mine with the same diagnosis was losing weight during his treatments --- his wife asked for the services of a medical dietician through the hospital and this really helped. The dietician found ways to "pack some pounds" back on my friend, when he was struggling with weight loss. Currently, he's doing well again. Just a thought to share with you, in case it helps ...

Keeping you both very close in my thoughts --- I think of you both so often !

Caring thoughts, from across the miles,
"CYCLONE FAN" ~ Iowa State University

Beth, late-stage cancer...concentrate on how he feels.

I offer this perspective from one who has helped a spouse through late-stage cancer.