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Taxotere Infusion #5, and Ice chips

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Posted 7/10/2012 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
I got my fifth infusion today. It took SIX pokes of the needle, and lots of rummaging around each time, to get it right. GRRR! The Oncologist said I *MIGHT* be in for three more (9 total) infusions instead of the initially-thought 6, depending on when (if) my PSA bottoms out and how well I tolerate the Taxotere (so far, excellently, despite some annoying side-effects). I get my Neulasta shot tomorrow (oh Joy, oh ecstacy--NOT) and the "flu" will begin shortly thereafter.

I had heard about ice chips sucked on (and fingertips put in ice), that it helped with various "tongue weirdness" issues. I didn't understand WHY, since I thought the Taxotere was an ongoing thing, but Taxotere has a short half-life, so the actual time of infusion is MOST of the flow of Taxotere through the body. The doc said the the cold constricts the blood vessels, allowing less Taxotere to flow through, so it WOULD help (how much??). I sucked on ice for about an hour afterwards, too. I am getting SLIGHT tongue sensations. I'll report my "journey" here.

I was also ELATED to hear that I will be going off Lupron, as the HDT isn't working anyway (hormone refractory set in a while back). I will get some strength back and MAYBE some libido, too!!!

Posted 7/10/2012 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, six pokes! I think my husband can relate to that. Did anyone mention having a port? they kept mentioning it to my husband but he didn't want the added procedure.
When will you know about additional infusions? I hope you don't need them.
Posted 7/11/2012 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
No sleep last night. Too WIRED! I kinda forgot that my twice-daily prednizone dose should be suspended the night after the infusion, as the Taxotere infusion "cocktail" contains the steroid anyway. I just figeted all night, couldn't keep still. Had to sleep in the guest bed lest I keep my spouse up all night, too!

Got my Neulasta shot today, and had a good day up until about 9 pm when the decent into "flu" began. Feeling awful, draggy, queasy, "ill". Such is the roller-coaster.

I am stronger than my cancer, but SHEESH!! It's letting me know that it's there and fighting the remedies.

A few more days and I will be "out the other side" of this "illness". I just optimistically booked a last-minute cruise to Alaska for the "good week" before my next infusion!! Cancer be Da**ed!!

Post Edited (sequoiaranger) : 7/11/2012 11:52:22 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/13/2012 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Infusion + 3.

No problem sleeping at night, except that it has been hot and humid with a Baja California hurricane throwing unusually warm, humid air our way (San Diego). I was a little groggy all day, some headache, no nausea. Taste is diminishing, but none of that metallic/putrid taste of water. I noticed, for the first time, that my fingernail beds have strange "waves" as they come out of the cuticle. Additional heartburn and easy exhaustion. So what else is new? Late next week I have planned a getaway with my spouse (cruise)--I had INTENDED to go Savannah and Charleston, but the heat and humidity expected there has swayed me to go north to Alaska instead.

Post Edited (sequoiaranger) : 7/12/2012 6:39:35 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/13/2012 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
that is quite an ordeal there, that's a lot of needle pokes and the wiggling it all around. you have done well so far, all things considered. good luck, and hopefully the taxotere will do a number on your cancer.

david
Posted 7/13/2012 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
"doing a number on [my] cancer"??

Just got my latest PSA results--16 (down from 25, down from 36, down from 63 at beginning of infusions), so it's coming down (FASTER! FASTER!).

Thanks, david

Posted 7/13/2012 10:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hurrah for the downs! So happy to see this working for you!!!!!!
Posted 7/16/2012 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Infusion +7--The tongue-cracking and mouth soreness has begun, but definitely milder effect than all the last times---maybe the ice-chip thing helped. I have ugly red cracks (have appeared every infusion period) between my fingers that I am slathering with "Vanicare" moisterizer. I have had bouts of nausea (no vomiting), and didn't sleep last night very well, alternating between WAAAAY too hot, and needing a wear a wool cap to stay warm.

My GFMPH getaway with my spouse commences in a few days, cruising to Alaska from Seattle. I should be "improving" steadily from my chemo downs of this past week.
Posted 7/16/2012 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Good choice on going North. I just got to the Smoky Mountains and I think it is hotter and more humid than S. Texas! Have a great trip!
Posted 7/16/2012 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Seq....I hope you lose these horrible SEs quickly.

Glad you have something wonderful happening in a few days to look forward to....

Best wishes,
Kathy
Posted 7/16/2012 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I thought of a late suggestion for you about the weird taste part. When I went through the neck/throat radiation back in 2000, had a lot of issues like that. The RO at the time, said they reccomend eating refrigirated green grapes, the seedless kind. The effect of the cool juice from the grapes, and some chemical in the grapes, had a very soothing effect on my throat, my toungue, and my taste buds. It really helped me at the time, sure when through a lot of grapes.

david in sc
Posted 7/17/2012 6:19 AM (GMT 0)
Startech and Kj63--thanks. I hope to have a time "worthy" of your best wishes!

Purg--interesting about grapes. In the throes of my "metallic/putrid" water taste (first two infusions) effect, grapes (one of my favorite snack foods) just tasted HORRIBLE! Probably, in your case, the cool liquid was good for your "cooked" throat.

Perhaps I can get the same effect with FERMENTED grapes--I will guzzle some wine to try the effect!

Infusion#5 +7--Just felt WORN OUT in the afternoon, and bone-achy. A nap and some Vicodin seemed to cure it. *REALLY* looking forward to "shipping out".

I was just *BUMMED OUT* to hear of "Zimac"s Taxotere regimen failing to stop the spread (and PSA now going up instead of down). Still, to go from PSA of 300+ down to 23 is amazing. But not enough, I guess.

;-(

Post Edited (sequoiaranger) : 7/17/2012 12:22:08 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/17/2012 9:37 AM (GMT 0)
sequoiaranger

Red Wine has been proven to be great for your health! Enjoy!

Have a great time on your trip! Remember to flirt with your lady.

We will all beat this crap!

Bud

PS: Yes seeing the end of the journey brought sadness to my heart. But! They are starting a new journey - this new one will be successful!

Post Edited (Raddad) : 7/17/2012 3:56:07 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/28/2012 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
#5 infusion + 19....Had a nice vacation cruise to Alaska (previously-thought-of vacation spot of Charleston, SC had heat index of 114F!!). Several days I had quite the spine/rib pain and achy-ness, and was back on opiates. Seems, though, that some rest (especially overnight) would "push the reset button" and I was back to either no pain or mild discomfort. I think that "average" movement/usage works my atrophied muscles and bones--if I am "inactive" I seem to fare perfectly fine.

Neuropathy getting worse. I have trouble calculating finger grip on things, since I have little or no feeling in the fingers (and toes). I am dropping things. It hurts when I grip things strongly with fingers.

I have my "last" of 6 scheduled infusions on Monday, but I suspect I will go another two or three if my system can take it (will ask onc about risks of serious complications from neuropathy). I want that PSA to come crashing down--I have been on debilitating "treatments" now for almost a year and would like a break, but maybe that is delusional given the beastly nature of THE BEAST.

Posted 7/28/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry for your ills with the infusion. I kind of hope you do take a break from the stuff: it's such powerful stuff and doing a job on your healthy cells.
Good luck with number 6 on Monday!
Posted 7/28/2012 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
sequoiaranger,

I am sorry about the neuropathy. Good luck on your decision on how long to go with the Taxotere. I am sure it is a tough trade off - increasing SEs versus lowering that PSA. After 6 infusions, I was so glad to be done. I am sure, if I had to, I could have gone on but it sure seems to get tougher in those later rounds. Best wishes.

SC

Posted 7/28/2012 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
seq,

glad you were able to get another treatment under your belt, but the other problem along with the pain isn't much fun.

the alaska cruise must have been nice. too bad you didn't make it till charleston, but i understand the heat issue. we visited my daugther there late in june and it was beyond horrible the weather.

if you ever make it this way, come and visit, we are a little over 3 hours west of Charleston, in the upstate portion of S.C. near Greenville.

david
Posted 7/29/2012 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sequoiaranger,
I'm so happy that you are having such great results. I am hoping your PSA comes crashing down and kills the beast. The neuropathy is so debilitating. My husband suffers as you do. His neuropathy is in his right leg and sometimes is unbearable.

It's your turn for a break. I hope you receive it soon.

Hugs, prayers, good thoughts going to you.

Zimac
Posted 7/29/2012 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
Sequoiaranger,

You are our point man on this important patrol.
We applaud your bravery, your attitude, and your resolve.
Nobody knows what's up ahead .. but we've got your back.

Jim
Posted 7/29/2012 7:53 AM (GMT 0)
Oncas, Zimac, Purgatory, Southern Comfort, and nhwife---thanks for the encouragement.

Just gotta keep on keepin' on, don't we?

(sigh) In about three days....UGH!!

My cousin-in-law was just killed in a motorcycle accident (hit-and-run, sadly, with perpetrator still at large). He won't be feeling pain or nausea any more, but neither will he feel joy or pride of accomplishment. I am merely "sick", but have joy and accomplishment ahead, despite pain and nausea. Just puts things in perspective.
Posted 7/29/2012 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
sequoiaranger

My brother, so sorry to hear this crap is biting back. But you are winning the battle your PSA has dropped. May it crash down as my dear friend Zimac spoke and crush the beast.

Fight on! We are here for you!

On your cousin in law - our prayers and wishes go out to him and his. And to you.

I agree on the perspective, Susan R recently posted;

recognize how fortunate we are to be here today, that we can read these posts, that we get to see the love in our special peoples eyes, that we get another moment to LIVE. Put the PCa to the side today (as much as possible) and take the day to share your love and life with another person. Do something for yourself that you greatly enjoy. We have been touched with a disease that can be terminal, but not today, not for us. We fight and the best fight, the way to scream at the disease "YOU DONT CONTROL ME, I AM GONNA KICK YOUR CANCER A**!" is to live the best life you can for as long as you can. We all have bad days, but today doesn't have to be one of those, lets all live the best day we can. Enjoy life, take control of us, put the cancer away today and do something special. Go fishing, cuddle with your spouse, play with your children/grandchildren, take a walk, go bowling, call your siblings....whatever it is. YOU DESERVE THE BEST DAY TODAY Embrace your life, just for today, it is only a beginning.

HUGS!

Bud

Together - we will beat this crap!
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