HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Taxotere journey Part 1

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic locked
1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/8/2012 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Good to see this and we are holding on to your better days with hope!
Posted 5/9/2012 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Day 16 after Taxotere

I'm starting to get used to these great days. Hubby is energetic, great appetite and having virtually no pain. The only issue is his hair is definitely falling out. This we can deal with.

Overall another fabulous day. Yeah!!!!!
Posted 5/9/2012 9:08 AM (GMT 0)
Zimac

So happy to hear things are going well !

When I was deciding which way to go next - Taxotere or Zytiga - we were over at our daughters house and our other daughter was there also. Me and the son in law were talking, I mentioned possibly losing my hair with the Taxotere.

Older daughter (GiGi's Mom) said bald is cool! You should shave your head now!
Younger daughter said yeah! shave your head and than you can get a earring
Wife said I am not getting any of hers.

Bud
Posted 5/9/2012 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Bud,

That's a funny story. We were going more for the Bret Michaels look with the bandana.

Zimac
Posted 5/9/2012 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to see the continued good days! It's uplifting!
Posted 5/10/2012 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Day 17 after Taxotere

A repeat of day 16. All good today.
Hair continues to fall out so hubby has decided to wear a hat. Personally I can only see his hair thinning. I used a lint brush this morning on his pillow so he wouldn't notice how much fell out during the night. Didn't want to worry him.

Just happy he feels so good.
Posted 5/10/2012 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear about two good days in a row for him. :)

david
Posted 5/10/2012 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks David. Planning on tomorrow being even better, if that's possible.
Posted 5/10/2012 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Here's hoping for the best day today!
Posted 5/11/2012 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Day 18 after Taxotere

Today was a very emotional day for my husband as he watched his hair fall out. He lost about 2/3 of it. My explanation that the hair loss was temporary didn't seem comforting at all, but I tried.

Energy level was good, appetite was great but emotionally it was extremely difficult. It was one of those days that we cried together and held each other real close.

I know he is nervous about going for his second treatment on Monday.

Hopefully he will mentally be in a better place tomorrow.
Posted 5/11/2012 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck as #2 approaches. I am a guy, and I would be equally if the little bit of hair I have left fell out quickly under those circumstances, so I understand his emotions there.

May you both find peace and strengh as his journey continues

david in sc
Posted 5/11/2012 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry for the tough day but so good he has you! We aren't seeing much hair loss - yet. I keep expecting it and it will be emotional for my husband too.
I am thinking of both of you as Monday approaches. You are our guide in our journey.
Posted 5/12/2012 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Day 19 after Taxotere

Thanks so much David and nhwife. I know we will get over the initial shock of hair loss. My husband always appeared healthy and strong on the outside even though we knew his cancer was not cooperating on the inside. Now with the hair loss he looks sick and it makes this ugly disease more visible to us. Just one more thing to deal with.

Physically he is feeling great. No aches and pains, great appetite and really no other side effects at this point. He was up and working around the house all day and went to work for a couple of hours as well. For this we are extremely grateful.

Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm so glad I found HW too!
Posted 5/12/2012 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
"My husband always appeared healthy and strong on the outside even though we knew his cancer was not cooperating on the inside" Exactly! I know what you mean.
Hoping you have a great weekend!
On a side note, Zimac, do you happen to know Taxotere dosage your husband received? We are thinking my husband's should be reduced because of the severe drop in white blood cells. Thanks!
Posted 5/12/2012 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
If I ever have to go through Taxotere, maybe I'll shave my head before the treatment even starts. Make a family event out of it. That could be easier on me and my ladies.

Zimac

Hugs! I'm always amazed at how strong our sisters are. Reading what you ladies post really helps me see things from my ladies (wife and daughters) perspectives.

Thank you so so much for sharing your journey.

HUGS!

Bud
Posted 5/12/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Nhwife - I'm not sure of the dosage but I will certainly ask on Monday.
BTW - I was told that the hospital is now icing the hands and feet. Not something they did before all my crazy questions and coming in with my own cooler and ice packs. I'm glad because maybe it will help others too.

Bud - Shaving your head once the hair starts to fall out seems to be reasonable because the shedding of hair all over the place is a constant reminder. My hubby is going on Monday for a very short buzz cut. There is a barber shop right next door to the Urology cancer center. How convenient.
Thank you for helping me through another day!
Posted 5/12/2012 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks in advance for finding out. They should share that information with you.
I need to ask about the icing. We have an appt on Monday, NOT chemo, just meeting with doctor. Add this to my questions.
Posted 5/13/2012 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Day 20 after Taxotere

Finally, a perfectly normal healthy day. Energy level was the best ever. Kept himself busy from 6 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. What a breath of fresh air.
Hair is still shedding but we are ignoring it. Wore a hat most of the day.

We are expecting a terrific day tomorrow.

Nhwife - they will definitely give me the dosage. I just never though to ask.
Good luck with your doctor visit on Monday.
Posted 5/13/2012 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
zimac - i sure love reading about your husband's good days, like the one you just described. got to make him feel some sense of normalcy back in his life again.

david
Posted 5/13/2012 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Sure does David. We try to laugh a lot and have fun. Our friends have been God sent, no other way to describe them. You know the old saying, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

Zimac
Posted 5/13/2012 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
sounds like you must drink a lot of lemonade, lol.
Posted 5/13/2012 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
I love reading about these great days! Gives us hope!
Posted 5/13/2012 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Zimac,

Not sure if it will happen to hubby, but some friends who have had Taxotere as chemo warned me about the eyebrows & eyelashes - if you lose them, and get into the shower, there is nothing to keep the soap & water out of your eyes. They suggested keeping a small towel in reach, so that after washing face/head with eyes closed, you can dry off the eyes before continuing.

It is quite interesting what kinds of feedback you get if you mention chemo at a dinner table full of cancer survivors.

Hope all goes well, and keep the reports up to date. My onco is beginning to talk about what comes next for me.

Posted 5/14/2012 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
So far we have lots of eyelashes and eyebrows. Thanks for the suggestion about keeping a towel in reach. Never know what is in store ths week after round 2.

Glad to hear about a table full of cancer survivors. That is our goal.

The problem with prostate cancer for us is that there has always been a what comes next. We haven't caught much of a break so it gets a bit discouraging. I pray this will be the break we deserve, unfortunately Pca has a mind of its own.

Hope all goes well with your Onco appointment.

Zimac
Posted 5/14/2012 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Day 21 after Taxotere

A repeat of day 20. Feeling terrific. Hair continues to fall out. Getting used to the new look and not feeling as devastated about it.

Tomorrow is round 2. He started the Decadron today. I have my fingers crossed that it will be uneventful.

Zimac
✚ New Topic locked
1234567891011