Treatment Changes

As you may recall, I just finished a bunch of hole head radiation to kill the reminanents of PCA in my sinusis. During that time I was also being treated with cabazitaxel every three weeks.

On THursday, 10/23/20 I went in for my next treatment and does not another problem jump up. My total Bilirubin increased 5 times. 0.5 >>>>>2.5. Alarm bells go off and no infusion that day. I get retested on Wednesday (10/28)and Bilirubin down to 0.8. I have scans yesterday, and my Bilirubin is 0.7, so no liver worries. However my scans show some progression and some regression. I knew something was up when I got a whole extra bunch of tubes during the blood draw. Also I have a an area on my right shin that the team was worried about a fracture. THe xray showed no issues.

So at this time my MO - Dr. Mark Pomerantz and his PA Noam Shabani were waiting for me in the room. We discussed the results of my scans, and blood work. The blood draw was for planning for future trails. Mark and Noam indicated that it looks like I have two for better words strains of PCA. One where the Cabazitaxel was effective, the other where it was not. My T is still zero so the Lupron is effective on that front. Going to have a blood draw from which they can identify PCA "strains". Once I get the name, and more information I will post. Dr. Pomerantz believes it is more effective than a bone biopsy.

The team outlined to new treatment options:

1 - Investigate clinical trails
2 - Cabazitaxel and Carboplatin - Mix of each at a lower dose. Every three weeks. Expect that SEs may be reduced to do lower doses of each. It has been hard to judge my SEs because of the sinus issue and than the Radiation treatment.
3 - Radium -232 - Every four weeks.

After some discussion we are going with option 2.

WIll find out on Monday if I need radiation on my right Tibia. Then Friday will be first infusion.

While the Team says the sinus and tibia attack by the PC is extremely unusual, and my cancer is vry aggressive, they have seen similar situations.

My relief is that I still have at least two standard of care treatments, when I though I may have none. Based on this I am confident I can get to May 2021 and see my daughter get pinned from nursing school and my youngest in May 2022 from URI. Two more milestones to shoot for.

Also I have a follow up with the neuro opthamologist next week and then MRIs to evaluate the the Head Radiation on the following week. Lots going on.

Wow Mike, you are busy. Let's hope the dual treatment does its thing. Thanks for keeping us updated with a new post. A lot of guys here are rooting for you.

All - SO this was so long in the chair. FIrst fluid, than calcium, then magneseum, followed by one chemo, then the other. ANd finally a blood transfusiion. 6 hours. No side effects. THis was Friday, today at work, Gotta kill cancer.

At least you took the weekend off Mike. Good report.

kmclark1 said...
Tuesday full Chemo haze. Today a little better, going to try to work from home.

I am impressed with your will to keep going and hope that you will soon feel better.

Hello, KMCLARK1 ----

I have been thinking about you --- six hours of infusions --- that's a marathon, for sure.

You are showing TREMENDOUS fortitude. That will inspire others reading here, facing a treatment today or down the road.

Make sure to rest and relax, in between --- but keeping busy at work can be encouraging, too --- daily goals, staying motivated, and normalcy.

Sending you all my support --- may those infusions pack a mighty wallop against the foe!

Handshake, fellowship, camaraderie ----
CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University