Hey Doug,
Had just been thinking about
you the past few weeks, and glad to see your post. Our paths have crossed several times here in the past ... so it's good to see your post, Doug.
Glad to hear that the Taxotere treatments are going well for you. There's a group of us here following your same course of treatment, so I'll welcome you to the "Chemotherapy Club", so to speak ... you've got a band of brothers right here that will support you during your treatments, if you need any support or advice.
Yes --- several of us have been going through the series of Taxotere treatments, following the release of the CHAARTED study which showed survival benefit for pursuing chemotherapy treatments for advanced cases, soon after diagnosis, based on each individual case ... and with your doctor's approval, of course. As soon as it was released, I got approval for the chemo treatments from my oncologist and got started ...
Several of us have contributed to some threads on this board about
our experiences with chemo treatments --- and to keep the ship sailing smoothly all during the course of our treatments --- staying active, remembering to exercise, drinking LOTS of water before and after treatments, eating healthy foods, staying involved in our usual activities and careers --- and building support with family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, & the community --- you've got to stay strong physically and emotionally during your treatments, so it's important to have some people in your life that are going to encourage, support, and bolster you up a bit during your treatments ...
When first diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in my 40s, I had started on the A.D.T shots, which started bringing my P.S.A. down over time --- and then my P.S.A. seemed to reach its nadir point ... and started creeping up a bit ... and that's right when the "early chemo plan" kicked into effect following the CHAARTED study ... probably right when I needed it ...
In my case, I had the opportunity to see the chemo bringing the P.S.A. down even lower than the A.D.T. shots did by themselves ... and each chemo treatment slowly brought the P.S.A. down to the lowest level I had ever experienced --- bit by bit, each chemo treatment brought the P.S.A. a bit lower --- so I got to see the beneficial impact that chemo can have when added to the A.D.T. shots, in my experience, anyway.
Like you, I also lost my hair --- mine fell out after the first treatment. I handled it, dealt with it, and moved on with my life --- but I agree with you --- I did find that it WAS a lot colder without my hair ! I invested in some hats --- especially when winter came around --- and some dress hats for social events. Sometimes a hat is a confidence builder when you first lose your hair and you're waiting for it to grow back --- but I found everyone in my life was very accepting of my "new look" --- in my case, it took several months for my hair to grow back --- slow but sure --- I don't mind paying for haircuts ! At the same time, a couple of my friends have kept all their hair during their chemo treatments ... so you just never know, when it comes to hair loss !
As my chemo treatments continued, my appetite stayed intact --- I continued to work full-time --- my oncologist told me to munch on ice chips during each chemo infusion to preserve my taste buds, which worked in my case --- he also had ice bags placed under both of my feet and under both of my hands during chemo infusions to avoid neuropathy damage, which also worked in my case --- my energy level stayed high, with just a couple days of sluggishness a couple of days after each infusion --- soon enough, the days and weeks went by --- and soon enough I was finished with the entire series of chemo treatments.
I know that there can be a range of experiences while going through chemo treatments, and many of us have shared our experiences on threads here, in the interest of helping others who are considering chemo treatments. I felt VERY fortunate to have had very, very few side effects from the chemo treatments --- because I know chemo can be a rough road to travel sometimes. I am thankful to my doctors who watched over me with great care and diligence, every step of the way.
Ironically, I now have some close friends here that now share in my diagnosis, and they are in my same age range --- these close friends of mine come from different chapters of my life --- my hometown, my college years, a work colleague, a church friend, and community --- some of them have been friends of mine for decades and now we share in this same health diagnosis --- I've got a bond of friendship and brotherhood with each one of them and I would do anything to help each one of them, without limits. Their friendship & reciprocal support means the world to me. That's how tight the bond becomes.
My friends are being treated in area hospitals and their doctors have now also recommended the "early chemo plan" to them --- so we have kept in close contact with each other, sharing advice and support with each other. It was reassuring to my friends here that I had ALREADY started my chemo treatments --- they were diagnosed a short time after I was, and their doctors quickly got them started on the "early chemo plan", as well. I think it is affirming to know that this "early chemo plan" is now becoming the standard path of treatment for many, based on each individual case ... and with the recommendation and approval of each patient's doctor.
I hope you continue to have minimal side effects from your treatments, Doug. It's important for all of us to keep sharing our experiences with each other. Thanks for posting and it's great to keep in touch. All the best to you, going forward, as your treatments continue.
Sent with my best from across the miles,
Iowa State "Cyclone"
Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 12/7/2015 7:46:41 PM (GMT-7)