Is it worth doing chemo
How long does he have - 0.0% - 0 votes
How much more time with 2rounds of chemo - 0.0% - 0 votes
Quality of life - 100.0% - 1 votes
Quest111
New Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 5
Posted 3/3/2017 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have my Dad which is in stage 4 Prostate Cancer.He had Proto Radiation on it 6 yrs ago.Which put it at bay for a yr or so.Then psa levels started climbing.He was on a number of drugs to try and keep it down.Then he did Provenge hormone therapy last year as well as ziti ha.It stopped reacting to hormone therapy.Now it has spread to the bones liver and brain.His psa levels are continuing to climb.They are currently over 1300 and they want to do Chemo on brain first.Then on liver after.What are the thoughts from people and doctors in this situation.He is 73 yrs young.How king does he have?us his quality of life going to be horrible.We don't know what to do.🙁
alephnull
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 2548
Posted 3/3/2017 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Not one to tell anyone what to do, but you asked what we think. My opinion below.
If he hasn't given up the fight, then fight on.
But it's a very tough decision.
But your father needs to look at the SEs from Chemo, and decide if they are worth it.
If so, then fight on!!!
If not, .....................
Quest111
New Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 5
Posted 3/3/2017 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You.As I said I am looking for input as this whole ordeal has been a giant think in our lives.I guess just need to reconfirmed my thoughts.😊
logoslidat
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2009
Posts : 7585
Posted 3/3/2017 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
What does your father want to do?...Im not sure anyone is going to respond to a poll on this one...thats putting a lot on someone...a bit too clinical...I would defer to your fathers wishes...its a sticky wicket...be cause he may want to hang on for you and others...if he does...support that...he may not want the chemo and let the chips fall where they may....support that...this may sound harsh...but in the final analysis anyones death is uniquely there own...and should be...having said that...no one wants to be alone as they go thru the process...this is the example Mother Theresa provided...she was not a perfect person...as none of us are...but if she was by your side...by god..she was there...in toto...she know the power of personal engagement...this power of engagement is not limited to death...its power is at its height in life and transfigures everything beyond recognition...Your dad...yourself... and your family are in our prayers...
JackH
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2013
Posts : 2037
Posted 3/3/2017 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone is different.
Quality of life can be very important for many people dealing with late-stage cancer.
I recommend the book Being Mortal by Dr Atul Gawande. It cannot answer the questions you ask for your dad, because as I said everyone is different. But the book can help you both to see with a clearer eye the process for prioritizing what is important to him in late-stages, which may help with decision making about quality versus quantity of life.
Tall Allen
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 10645
Posted 3/3/2017 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry to hear about this bad state of affairs. Chemo will not only help him live longer, but will make him more comfortable. Metastases in bone cause pain, and in organs may interfere with organ function. Chemo will help a lot with that. The same chemo (docetaxel) shrinks metastases wherever they are - bones, brain or liver. If he responds well to the chemo, they may want to try Xofigo, if that is available wherever you are. There may be clinical trials too. How long he survives and his quality of life depends on how well he reacts to those medicines.
Quest111
New Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 5
Posted 3/3/2017 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the input he has decided to go with the chemo starting this morning.👍
RicktheRock
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2016
Posts : 61
Posted 3/3/2017 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
This is a difficult situation and I'm very sorry you have to go through all the unknowns of this disease once again.
Your father's decision to go with the chemo has many benefits as The Tall One has pointed out.
Speaking from my own experience, depending on the medications used for the chemo, the process does not always cause severe side affects. The combination of Jevtana and Carboplatin was easy on my system, however the Taxotere was rough. Everyone is different. I hope your Father's experience is easy to tolerate.
May everything go perfectly for you and the experience a good one that gives him a long and durable benefit.
Rick
Quest111
New Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 5
Posted 3/4/2017 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Rick,
Well when you get down to it,this stupid cancer leaves so fewer and fewer options.I hope his does well with the chemo.👍
grandpaof4
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2013
Posts : 805
Posted 3/5/2017 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Quest111,
It's great to be by your fathers side during this time! Glad your dad decided to take chemo.
October 1, 2012, I was diagnosis with Advance Prostate Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) high volume, very VERY aggressive metastatic (in my bones), Stage 4! My PSA was 130 and Gleason score 9. Numerous skull lesion most prominently on my right occipital lobe (skull); cervical spine particularly and thoracic spine, multiple ribs; fourth vertebral and my T12 vertebral was eaten up with cancer and I had to have 10 rounds of radiation and surgery (11-6-2012) to rebuild my T12 vertebral. My urologist told me that I had four to five years at best! 10-1-12, I started hormone therapy: I started Bicalutamide (Casodex) 50 mg daily and on 10-3-12, had my first monthly injection of Firmagon and Xgeva. Per my urologist, the first line of defense on hormone therapy would only last 6-18 months before having to go to something stronger! MY WIFE, FAMILY AND I, WERE DEVASTATED to say the least!!
Having several bulged disc, my pain doctor has found the right combination of medicine to allow the pain in my lower back, right hip/butt to be manageable!
During my journey with PCa, I've put my faith in God, a positive attitude, my doctors and medicine.
I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!
Dave, in Bartlett, TN
Quest111
New Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 5
Posted 3/5/2017 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
That's great to hear that you have done so well.And thanks for sharing your story .It makes my heart ❤️ feel better that there are such great outcomes.Just trying to stay positive.
Thomasjohn
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 148
Posted 3/5/2017 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with others would never tell anyone what to do. I had provenge therapy June 2016 I guess that therapy lasts about 6-9 months. Iam on zytiga with 5mg prednizone. Fatigue is biggest enemy right now. Energy goes fast. So I rest. I eat as well as I can. I believe the immune system is important, more so than drugs. Rest rest and more rest. I stay away from white refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup almost no dairy no red meat and no GMO. I drink lemon water and asparagus with water in am, I hate asparagus but I heard it kills cancer cells. So I do it. Good luck to all of us