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Posted 7/24/2020 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed in 2012
Gleason - 9
Prostatectomy
PC in nodes
Lupron for 4 years
Zytiga and apalutamide for 3 years
Xofigo
Now on xtandi---tough drug---PSA is up and down from 4.2 - 7.3
Being told by MD Anderson that next step is docetaxel
I'm 75 years old
Anyone's experience with docetaxel?
Posted 7/24/2020 4:54 AM (GMT 0)

Hello, AJ123 ---

We are here for you, as you research TAXOTERE chemotherapy infusions ---TAXOTERE being the brand name for the docetaxel chemotherapy infusions you asked about ...

Over time, members here have banded together, to create threads that document their first-hand experiences with TAXOTERE infusions.

I just bumped up two threads --- you will see them on the top feed of your screen when you read this.

One is called "Taxotere Side Effects" and the other one is called "My Taxotere Experience/Diary" ...

They are written in a "one brother to another brother" format --- and the goal was to assemble a PLAYBOOK for other fellows starting TAXOTERE chemotherapy.

Read both threads ... print off a copy ... highlight the tips that would help YOU the most ... including ways to mitigate side effects.

I want to share this with you ... it has now been almost six YEARS since I pursued TAXOTERE chemotherapy.

My medical history is revealed beneath my signature.

Six years later, I am still very active --- exercising each day --- and working full-time.

That's the HOPE I share with you today.

Check out the two TAXOTERE threads on the current feed, on your screen ... they are going to lead you FORWARD!

With my best,
CYCLONE - # Iowa State University
Posted 7/24/2020 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Cyclone - it is comforting to "compare notes."
Posted 7/26/2020 5:14 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, AJ123 ~

If you end up starting a series of TAXOTERE treatments, we're here for you.

If you need encouragement, advice, support, or have specific questions ...

Treatments aren't always a walk in the park, but being in the first wave of fellows treated with TAXOTERE when the "early chemo plan" became recommended --- and still being here today, now writing to you about it -- six years later --- that leaves me an advocate for the importance of those treatments, when recommended by your medical team, for particular cases.

You have no idea how happy my oncologist was last year when I reached the FIVE YEAR post-treatment milestone after pursuing the "early chemo plan" with TAXOTERE!

I was his very first patient to get started on those treatments --- immediately following the release of the STAMPEDE clinical trial and the CHAARTED clinical trial.

We met on a Monday and by that Wednesday, I was getting my first treatment.

I started treatments in August and finished right before Thanksgiving. When I finished the series of treatments, all the doctors and nurses lined up to congratulate me --- handshakes, hugs, and applause. They were my TEAM!

It's nice having a few more candles on my birthday cake since then!

Here's a quotation I like, as you consider these possible treatments:

"I am not going to promise you it will be easy, but I am going to say it's potentially going to be WORTH it, in the long run."

Here's to the "good fight" ... and here's to FIGHTING!

C-Y-C-L-O-N-E ••• # Iowa State University
Posted 7/26/2020 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
giving it everything we have. Thanks again! AJ123
Posted 7/26/2020 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
CYCLONE - I sincerely appreciate your reply: we are both in a "fight!" Let's give it everything we have. Thanks again and stay safe! AJ123
Posted 7/30/2020 12:26 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, AJ123 ~

Trust me when I say that I will be here, to stand alongside you, if you pursue new TAXOTERE chemotherapy treatments.

Advice, support, insight, encouragement ---- anything I can do along those lines, you've got it.

Sometimes, when going through infusions, it's just reassuring to know you've got a "chemo comrade" who will stand alongside you.

This website has provided untold camaraderie, time and again, to members from far and wide.

Keep us posted ~ let us know how you're faring ~ and rest assured, I am sending you my support !

Sent with my best, from across the miles, from "one brother to another" ~

C•Y•C•L•O•N•E ~ # Iowa State University
Posted 8/13/2020 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Well, here we go. The Xtandi stopped working and I’m scheduled for docetaxel in 3 weeks. The oncologist at MD Anderson is very optimistic, but...... this is scary! On the other hand, at age 75 I have lots of good memories to think about. This disease is horrible but I think the medical community is gaining on it. More later.
Posted 8/13/2020 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
AJ take the Doctors optimistic lead and run with it. If he’s optimistic, I’m sure he has good reason to be. Keep us posted. I’m sure you’ve got plenty more memories that you’re going to make to go along with the ones you already have. We are all with you on this journey
Posted 8/13/2020 4:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, AJ123 ~

By now, you have likely read the "Taxotere Side Effects" thread started here by member Madeline Smith and "My Taxotere Experience/Diary" started by our comrade SCHOOLPSYCH.

Both are going to give you insight, comfort, guidance, and strategies to lessen side effects.

Honestly, once you get through the first treatment, the rest follow the same protocol.

I was filled with trepidation, uncertainty, and anxiety the night before my first infusion. I imagined a Medieval era "torture chamber" rack, with a thousand needles waiting for me ...

The staff will take care of you in incredible ways. The process went SO much easier than I imagined.

Getting that first infusion done was a HUGE step forward! Just one infusion needle!

It gave me new hope, watching my PSA drop after each treatment. I knew then I was attacking the enemy with a new weapon.

Check out those suggested threads --- and a great way to process your upcoming treatments will be to post here, or add your experience advice onto those existing threads.

We stand alongside you, AJ123!

Stay strong, stay consistent, stay the course ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University
Posted 8/13/2020 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello AJ123

I started my Taxotere on March 30 with a port placement and the first infusion and it was very easy, just sit in a recliner and relax. A March 9 PETCT showed 3 new metastases along with a prior one, PSA 6.1. The Lupron had the PSA at 1.03 on March 30 and <.01 on June 8. I finished Taxotere on July 20, 6 sessions. Returned to Mayo Clinic on July 30 for repeat PETCT, Dr. Kwon came into the room with a huge smile and said we can't find any cancer anywhere.

Days 5 & 6 tended to have more bone pain and aches for me. The first infusion I felt nothing, the second infusion was the hardest for me, the rest were somewhere in between. I did feel more tired and weaker as it went on, but it has been worth it with the results of the treatment.

My path has not been as long and my treatments have been less than yours. Taxotere has had good results for a number of HW members.

Stay strong. You have my best wishes and prayers for this part of your treatment path.

Dave
Posted 7/21/2021 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Here we are almost a year later; I had the docetaxel (7 infusions each 3 weeks apart) and it brought my PSA down to 2.5. I felt pretty good during the time...and, for 5 months later. Now I think the mets are coming back...I hurt when I sit, and Jevtana is the next chemo that they will use for me. I think it is "stronger" than docetaxel. I am 76 years old...I'm in the Gleason 9 club, and I've been "dealing" since 2012. I am trying to get more information on the new radiopharma from Novartis that was studied at Memorial Sloan-Kettering to see if I qualify. I'm not sure that there are any more options left.

I'm thankful for the 9 years that I've had but I'm up to continue the fight! AJ123
Posted 7/21/2021 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update AJ123. My husband's team is calling his Taxotere that failed. "Early Taxotere" I have a feeling the team will retry taxotere and maybe Jevtana as the next weapon.
Keep fighting!
Posted 7/21/2021 8:40 PM (GMT 0)

Let us know what you find out, AJ123 ---- as far as these treatment possibilities that you mentioned.

We're standing beside you!

We're rallied --- as a collective band of brothers --- and we're ready to encourage you & support you!

Keep us posted --- I will watch for your next update!

With all my best,
CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University
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