Small update on my Jeff

Since the Zytiga/Prednisone can potentially make Jeff sick, while he’s in the hospital, they have suspended his cancer treatment. Currently, it’ll be at least Tuesday for discharge.

Once he resumes the medication however, his oncologist authorized taking the Zytiga at night and the Prednisone in the morning. We originally believed that the Zytiga caused him to be so profoundly tired on Friday.

While fatigue is one of the top side effects of Zytiga, they actually think Friday’s incident was caused by his low oxygen stats. Jeff is currently still on oxygen. Without it his levels consistently drop to 85-86, but on it he remains in the upper 90’s.

Jeff continues to have excessive fluid retention in his legs. Additionally they have found fluid in and around his lungs. The low oxygen and fluid retention may be related to his heart. Tomorrow they will be doing an ultrasound on his heart.

Jeff has been given Lasix (a diuretic) to help rid some of the fluid. Also, they will wrap his legs to help push the fluid up and out. Although he struggles with mobility, I have asked for a walker so he can get up and moving and do a lap or two in the hospital halls.

We still don’t have a lot of answers, but should start learning more tomorrow. Jeff is scheduled for more testing and is due to meet with doctors from; cardiology, pulmonology, radiation, neurology, and palliative care.

Our daughter Channing surprised Jeff by bringing their French Bulldog, Bella, to the hospital. The joy on Jeff’s face was priceless.

#teamjeffgallagher

Dear Jeff and Stephanie ---

Thank you for keeping all of us here updated. It's like a family here --- brothers and sisters, all!

We all look after each other, connect over time, and we keep others in our collective thoughts, when there's a rocky road to travel. We all walk alongside each other ---- fellow travelers --- walking shoulder to shoulder --- and supporting each other along the way.

I have been thinking of you both all weekend, and your family, as well. Grateful to hear about Bella's hospital visit ---- nothing better than a four-legged friend to brighten up the day.

It sounds like you have a tremendous care team surrounding you, from various departments. Each one will share their insight and expertise. My paramount wish and prayer is for Jeff's continuing care and comfort.

Take good care of each other. As best you can, make sure you get some rest. I know from your updates this has all been so sudden, and none of this comes with a coach's playbook.

You're showing courage and resilience through it all, and your devotion to each other is evident.

Please know you have others thinking of you, far and wide --- from across the miles. I am just one of those people thinking of you right now ...

Prayers for continued strength ---- and care and comfort! Caring thoughts sent your way, each day!

In friendship and fellowship ~~~
CYCLONE ••• # Iowa State University

Are they both the prednisone and the zytiga or just the zytiga? As a steroid, you're supposed to be slowly weaned off prednisone, although if Jeff had only been on zytiga/prednisone for a short period of time maybe that's not needed? FWIW, when I finished my zytiga it was a 1-2 month process (can't remember precisely anymore) to wean off the prednisone. Good luck with all of this!

Michael_T, Jeff starting taking the Zytiga/Prednisone on Friday, he only had one dose of each. Both drugs have been suspended at this time. Thank you for your concern on that! ~ Stephanie

I wish I knew the answer to this, but I don't. As to Zytiga, I took it for 18 months and while I won't say I breezed through it, I did fine. I was tired (and cranky and creaky), but that's also the case of anyone going through ADT. My cancer was high risk, but it was also local (as far as we could tell at the time) and Jeff is clearly in a different place with his Stage 4 diagnosis. Still, I would not expect Zytiga to necessarily be more debilitating than Taxotere, which he's already gone through.

My decidedly non-medical opinion is that if you can get Jeff in a better place with everything else going on, you should be able to re-start Zytiga. My suspicion is that the Zytiga SEs are secondary to the other issues. So sorry to hear what you're going through and hoping you can turn a corner shortly.

I really think the reference to "final journey" is very premature. In both your threads it sounds like your doctors have not given up at all. There are still arrows in the quiver, be it zytiga/pred , whole brain radiation, and probably other drugs. Please keep us informed. If any of those possibilities work, he can have a nice and hopefully long remission.

Mel

What you contribute to us Stephanie, is love, grace and hope in the face of hardship. On our journeys, we all need more of all three.

Thank you, and prayers for you and Jeff.

Hello, Jeff & Stephanie ~~~

Giving thanks tonight for these pieces of GOOD NEWS ...

Good news on the heart report ---- the decreasing need for supplemental oxygen --- and a clear pathway to the continuance of ZYTIGA.

Just very thankful for these small blessings ...

We're all here for you, rallied around you both ~~~

CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University