Chemo results four weeks on

Well, completed six docetaxel treatments four weeks ago and had follow up scans this week. CT and bone. Ct scan showed some modest improvement in lung mets. Shrinkage in larger nodules and nothing new. I will take that as some minor success.

Bone scan showed new lesions in ribs and right femur. Also some new activity on cervical spine where it was radiated a few months back. New bone scans lesion were not visible in CT scan. I will take this as no change.

Doc and I agreed to hold off on Lupron shot and Zytiga for a month to see how things progress. I am trying to get into the Match trial and my doc thinks I am a good candidate and has made the recommendation. Waiting on radiation onc to throw in on this. Even if accepted still six to eight weeks away from any treatment if one exists. This is due to dna testing. Meanwhile I am looking at other trials too. Not inclined to seek further treatment at this point. Thinking QOL might be better without.

Side effects have been debilitating for me all along and became progressively worse with each dose. The last cycle was the worst. I live alone and have managed until this one. I needed help end of week two and all through week three. Luckily my brother and sister in law made sure I at least got fed. Mother nature did her part by sending a hurricane my way and ruining all the food in the freezer. I am left with neuropathy in hands and feet and swollen legs. Doc has given me something for legs and says neuropathy should fade. I hope so. One other SE was that my feet turned dark red and black like a bruise all along the heel and sides. Symmetrical pattern left and right. Overnight blistered and thick skin sloughed off in shower next morning. Repeated this pattern two or three times that week and still peeling. I think this is one of those recall things that makes your skin react to where it was exposed to sun. Had the same thing on my head on first round. Skin peeled all over.

Well, feeling better except legs are still weak and I have been pushing them a bit. Sort of like day after first day of track practice. Legs feel like they are full of lactic acid and muscle fibers are at their shortest. Been stretching some too. I am starting to feel better every day.

One final word. Thanks to all of you for your counsel and encouragement during my treatment. I guess it is true that misery loves company. Your experiencing helped me keep going with the knowledge that this too will end. (master of clichés :) )

Don

Way to go don-
that was an epic struggle with chemo you made and I am glad you can rest now- I want to shout out loud on this so others (like me) can recognize your courage and success in completion as an example when wrestling with their own chemo decisions.

Good luck on working into the MATCH trial

rf

Does the skin look better after the peel? Women pay a lot of money to get that done on purpose! Seriously though, I know those symptoms are not easy to live through, and they will fade quickly into the background. It seems that no two guys have the same reaction to it. Thanks for chronicling your experience - others will no the range of symptoms they may see.