My Taxotere Experience/Diary

I can remember even as a little kid hearing or seeing on television about people having chemotherapy and it seems it was always presented a very scary thing to fear. The truth is, the idea scared me worse than my surgery, radiation, and ADT had. Reading the stories of others here and the generous encouragement I’ve received through email from some of these Healing Well guys really comforted me. I’m hoping that posting a diary of my experience will pay this forward to future guys who face starting Taxotere.

Quick background. I’m scheduled for four infusions of Taxotere as elective, adjuvant therapy for my initial treatment for prostate cancer. To make it just a bit more challenging, I decided to get it a bit far away from home. Despite the travel requirement, this was what I felt was best for me because I feel very comfortable with the doctor and staff I’m working with at a smaller, more personalized medicine-type clinic.

Tuesday, March 6th (The night before)

After working on Tuesday, my wife and I hopped on a plane and landed at LAX late that night. I drastically changed my diet when I was diagnosed and haven’t eaten red meat or French fries in about a year and a half. Aside from the combo pizza at Costco, In-N-Out Burger is one of the things I’ve definitely missed. I decided the start of chemo deserved a treat so an In-N-Out cheeseburger and French fries were much enjoyed before checking into the hotel for the night. It won’t be a habit, and I blame Cyclone_ISU for giving me the idea in his write up about going to his favorite eatery for a treat on his infusion days!

Day 1 (1st infusion). Wednesday March 7th.

Much ado about nothing. Really, fearing infusion day was a waste of worry. I got to the office and reclined on a very comfortable chair. Getting the IV needle put in is never really pleasant but that was the extent of anything remotely painful and even that is fairly painless. Next came IV infusions of about 45 minutes of pre-chemo drugs – a steroid, an antacid, Benadryl, and an anti-nausea medication. A little drowsiness came from the Benadryl but it didn’t last long. After a trip to the bathroom (drinking water like a fish thanks to recommendations from Cyclone), the nurse brought out a cup of ice cubes, two Elasta-Gel hand mittens and two Elasta-Gel frozen booties for my feet. I put them on, grabbed an ice cube for my mouth and the one hour infusion of the Taxotere began. The frozen booties stayed on the entire time, but I had to take my fingers out of the mittens for a couple of minutes every ten minutes or so to warm them up a bit as they really got uncomfortably cold. Two things I learned here – 1. The Elasta-Gel products stayed very cold for the entire one-hour infusion, they didn’t need to get replaced due to warm up as I’ve read others had experienced with some ice mitts. 2. Worries of boredom in the chair weren’t needed. Having to replenish the ice cubes for your mouth, taking your hands in and out of the gloves, a couple minutes of closing your eyes, and the time blew by quickly.

When the Taxotere bag was empty, the nurse brought out a Neulasta on body auto injector. I’ve seen all the commercials where they show it on people’s upper arm so I was a bit surprised when the nurse told me that it was going on my stomach. She said that putting it on the stomach is better so that I can see it easier. You have to check the blinking light on it occasionally to make sure it doesn’t turn from green to red because red indicates a problem. Anyway, she stuck it on and in a couple of minutes it activated with a loud click which made me jump (sounded much like the prostate biopsy needle click) but unlike a biopsy needle for me, it was painless. The nurse explained that the needle is inserted at activation and remains in until after the drug is auto administered at a later time so I don’t have to worry about a needle prick later. After this, I was all set. Met with the doctor, got all my follow up instructions and out the door. Appointment started at 8:30, done about 11:45. My plane back home boarded at 2:30 so we had time to grab lunch at Wahoo’s Fish Tacos (another, much healthier fare favorite) before heading to the airport.

A couple of notes on the Neulasta on body auto injector. If you get it on your stomach as I did, take seat belts into consideration when the nurse is placing it. Next time, I will ask that it be placed a little higher because the seat belt in the car and on the plane bumped up against it. If you are flying, going through the TSA checkpoint with a liquid filled, electronic device with a flashing LED light strapped to your stomach gets their attention. Luckily, the TSA guys were very professional and understanding when you mention chemo. I did have to lift up my shirt and get my hands swabbed for bomb residue but it was fairly quick and a minuscule hassle.

Day 2 (Thursday, March 8th)

I had already taken today off work as I wasn’t sure what to expect. I slept in a bit but woke up feeling good. I went out and fired up my snow blower and cleared my driveway and sidewalks of a big snow from last night to remind myself that the tiny taste of 70 degree weather I experienced in LA is a long way away from us here in Cleveland. After posting this, I’m going to go to the gym to work out since as I’m still feeling good. I’m just a bit nervous about what happens when the Neulasta unit works it magic tonight about 5 PM, and as I understand it, the ugly chemo crash days are looking over my shoulder so I’m going to enjoy this good day while I can.

Schoolpsych,,

Good post. I am certain everyone will who is anticipating chemo will get something out of reading it. Between Cyclone's post, Taxotere thread, and your diary folks should have a good idea of what to expect. It goes a long way for those who are just a little wary.

Thank you guys. I will be following up in this thread posting progress. I already have an update today since my post. My Neulasta unit went off at just after 5:00 as the nurse said it would. removed it empty at 6:00 with no problems. I've been taking Claritin in preparation for the Neulasta as it is said to greatly reduce unpleasant bone pains associated with the Neulasta for many. I hope that I am one that it works for. We'll see.

Schoolpsych,
Read this after I replied to you on another thread. See you came to LA for taxotere. I’ve been working with prostate oncology specialists in marina del Rey and because we live in south OC I’m doing treatments at Keck USC in Newport Beach. You at one of those places? Anyway I’ll keep following your progress and we’ll compare notes. Also see you’re only doing 4 treatments? Take care.

Day 3 (Friday, March 9)

Went back to work today and worked a normal day. My face is a little red from the steroids arousing suspicion from well-meaning coworkers that I “got some sun” while in California. Sadly, this wasn’t the case, totally a steroid blush. Hard to describe the feelings today. The best I can say is “hazy” or “jittery”. Sort of like when I’ve had too much caffeine but lasted all day. Not tired, worked all day, walked the dog, did 40 minutes of cardio at the gym, and ate dinner at a Lenten fish fry (had the baked Perch fresh out the recently unfrozen Lake Erie a block away). After dinner I did get really tired. In bed at 9:00. Wife had to wake me up later to take my Zytiga that I had not taken in three days due to the chemo. I’m hoping that perhaps since I am taking the steroid with the Zytiga that this will actually help a bit with the chemo crash days.

Day 4 (Saturday, March 10th)

So far, so good. Woke up early wondering what today will bring since my understanding is today should be the start of the chemo crash days. I’m pleasantly surprised that so far, as Cyclone_ISU described in his accounts, I just feel a bit hung over. Not sick feeling but arms and legs do feel a bit heavy. I plan to stick around the house and take it easy today. I’ve been taking Claritin every day since the day before infusion with the hope of avoiding bone pain from the Neulasta. I noted nothing different since the Neulasta administered itself Thursday, but now, Saturday afternoon, I am just starting to note some fleeting, very small, aches in my legs. If this is as bad as it gets, I’ll be a happy man. Still, I know I’ve got a ways to go before being able to make that call.

Later day update: After writing the first part about today I went out to lunch. The plan was to stop at a grocery store after lunch before coming back home. Just after eating I felt really tired and even unsteady on my feet. It was amazing how fast this came on. Sort of like when you are riding along on your bike and the rear tire quickly goes flat. Never made it to the store. Went home, laid down on the couch and slept for several hours. Woke up later to eat dinner and watched some television, drank allot of water, going to bed after writing this about 11 PM.


Thanks again for the support guys.

Garyi, I appreciate it!

CaliJR, you know that's exactly what I'm thinking. A nice vacation using those miles is definately in the plans for late this summer when I'm not only done with chemo but knowing that ADT is coming to an end.

steve55777, yes, I'm getting the chemo treatments at POS in Marina del Rey. CaliJR told me about the good experience he had there for chemo with their staff and after my first treatment, I agree. Very pleasant and comfortable place. My blood work is being done locally here in Cleveland at the Cleveland Clinic and shared with Dr. Lam at POS. Yes, four treatments is the plan. I'm following a similar protocol as CaliJR and Artist Mark who are G9s with actually less involvement than I had with my positive lymph node. My PSA has been undetectable since surgery in December 2016 (with Lupron) and my doctors have told me quite honestly that there is no way to know at this point if upfront chemo is something I actually need but with my G9 and positive lymph node at initial diagnosis it has been offered to me so I'm biting the bullet and going for it. I never want to look back some day and wonder if I should have.

Hello SCHOOLPSYCH,

Your posts are powerful --- documenting your first-hand account with chemotherapy treatments.

The impact of this website stems from sharing these experiences with others, just as you have done.

As time has gone by, more and more members here have joined the "CHEMO CLUB" ...

In the past, chemotherapy USED to be held in reserve as a "Hail Mary" treatment, after all other treatment options had been exhausted.

In more recent times, based on evidence from clinical trials, chemotherapy has moved up to the FOREFRONT as an approved treatment option, for specific cases.

In addition, doctors are now formulating individualized chemotherapy "cocktails" --- blending various chemotherapy components, to best suit the individual needs of the patient.

Your post is a testimonial to an important message that needs to be shared, and you have described your experience well ...

The message that's important to share is that doctors and researchers have worked VERY hard to add components to the chemotherapy infusions that help to REDUCE troublesome side effects such as fatigue and mitigate nausea.

Chemotherapy is not a Sunday walk in the park, as we all know. HOWEVER, because of the newer components that help reduce nausea and fatigue, many of us have discovered that we CAN continue with careers, hobbies, interests, exercise regimens, and social events --- while continuing with chemotherapy treatments.

Medications like NEULASTA can also be given, as needed, to boost immunity levels during the chemo treatments, if needed.

Your first-hand account speaks to all of these important aspects of chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is now an approved forefront treatment --- doctors have found ways to mitigate the side effects for patients --- and it is an important weapon in the arsenal that can be used in the battle, in the right situations.

I pursued the "early chemo plan" in 2014 when chemo treatments moved up to the forefront of the treatment choices. My PSA had leveled off ... then my oncologist recommended we try chemotherapy treatments.

In my case, each ensuing chemo treatment helped knock my PSA down into low decimals, and eventually helped knock my PSA down to undetectable levels.

In my case, it was six infusions, timed three weeks apart ...

I envisioned those six treatments to be the equivalent of six "bullets" --- loaded up in a Winchester repeating rifle --- attacking cancer in a powerful way. That vision carried me through the six treatments ... "Bang, bang, BANG ! Bang, bang, BANG !"

Thank you, SCHOOLPSYCH, for drawing a navigational MAP that other medical travelers on this journey can follow, today and in the future.

In addition to the map you have skillfully drawn for other readers, complete with detailed "travel" information and "sign posts" for others to use --- you have ALSO provided future readers with an illuminating BEACON and directional COMPASS that others can use, in the form of your first-hand experience details.

We all travel alongside each other on this journey.

Thanks for lighting the BEACON for others, SCHOOLPSYCH ! Keep blazing the trail for others!


Handshake, friendship, camaraderie ~
CYCLONE ~ Iowa State University