After consultation with my medical oncologist and gastroenterologist, I have stopped by Taxotere treatments. For now I need to focus on my constant bowel issues that I have had since IMRT and they don't want the Taxotere to be a factor. I have already had an upper GI with a small bowel follow through. Next week is the colonoscopy. Time to figure this out. In a way, I am glad the chemo is over as it was a grind. Now I just have to stick with the hormones until May of next year. Onward! -JR

Hello CaliJR,

Just wanted to send you a line, wishing you the best ... you can only battle one "wildfire" at a time, right?!!

So, with that being said ... hope that you can keep facing forward and get some effective treatments for what you are facing right now ...

You've have my support and unwavering loyalty --- you're a loyal contributor to the forum and I wanted to send you my greetings and let you know I was thinking about you.

Keep us posted --- the brothers (and sisters) are HERE for you, CaliJR --- just as you have been here for all of us, in fair return !

Handshake from across the miles,
"Cyclone Fan" ~ Iowa State University

Jr,
I will be sending positive thoughts and prayers for some GOOD news on your colonoscopy. Feel better soon brother!
Beth

Thanks all for the well wishes. Take care -JR

sorry to hear you're having to go through that.

Hopefully they can figure out what's going on.

Andrew

JR-

I can't remember - how many mets did you have and did the chemo shrink them?

You had IMRT to the entire pelvic area, right? I hope they locate the source of the problem and repair it quickly. Chemo interferes with tissue recovery so I think it's a good move to stop it for now.

Gotcha! I agree that skipping further chemo is really no big risk. In RTOG 0521, it only increased 4-year survival from 89% to 93%, which is not a big difference. But I understand your attitude of wanting to eek out every percent improvement you can.

Docetaxel with primary radiation therapy for high risk prostate cancer

I think the really big effect is from your combination of HDR brachy and EBRT, which gets the dose to the prostate way higher than anything given in RTOG 0521 (which was only 75.6 Gy):

HDR Brachy Boost and Monotherapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Unfortunately, that increase in cancer control comes at the cost of increased toxicity, as you, unfortunately, know first hand. I hope they are able to fix it for you quickly.