Taxotere 6 sessions and a JOB WELL DONE

A March 9 PETCT at Mayo Clinic found 3 new mets along with 1 prior met and a 6.1 PSA, started on Lupron and 2 weeks of Casodex. March 30th was first Taxotere dose with a 1.03 PSA. Taxotere every 3 weeks except between #4 and #5 I had 4 weeks due to tiredness and weakness on my part. June 8 PSA <.01 and switched to 3 month Eligard. Last chemo was July 20th.

Back to Mayo Clinic for PETCT on July 30th PSA <.10 Testosterone < 7. Shortest meeting with Dr. Kwon ever, he came into room with a huge smile and said we can't find any cancer anywhere, stay on Eligard and see you back here in 4 months. This is the greatest news any of us with PC could ever hope to hear.

I had thoughts of doing a diary like SchoolPsych's and had good notes and intentions but the path got tougher after the series of Zarxio injections following round 1, leading to very noticeable shortness of breath, and from mid May into early July turned into the hardest time I have ever faced. 4 UTIs since April 2, 3 episodes of gross hematuria, 18 days to get the results of a CT Urogram, a 2 week notice that my very good and trusted urologist was leaving and not seeing anyone after the 2 weeks. 2 ER visits for the gross hematuria in June with unsatisfactory care where the 2nd one resulted in an emotional breakdown in the ER and 4 days in the Behavioral Health Unit. A visit the next week with a new urologist to finally explain the 5 week old CT Urogram was nearly a repeat major anxiety attack between the Dr.'s attitude and my emotional state at the time.

I don't want to discourage or scare anyone from going forward with Taxotere treatments, I had a lot of other things going on that made things extremely difficult for me. The Taxotere infusions and side effects were not really all that difficult by themselves.

I may yet give a try with doing a diary as many PC patients are starting with their treatments again after the Covid 19 delays.

I also had a cystoscopy done at Mayo by Dr. Mynderse that seemed to finally answer where the blood was coming from during the hematurias. Radiation cystitus with prominent friable blood vessels in the bladder neck and both ureteral orifices near the bladder neck, also possibly irritated by the chemo.

Dave

That’s a rough ride for the hardiest...when the body gangs up on ya like that...hang on..I’ve been there...be stubbornly firm...stubbornly...and wait in faith...it works...you are a long way from defeat...truly....

Dave you've been through the mill, so to speak. But that "we can't find cancer anywhere" must have been a moment of elation that i hope and think, made it all worthwhile. May this remission last many many moons.

Thank You for all the supportive comments.

I kind of feel like a rodeo bull rider. The undetectable PETCT scan and PSA is like getting to the 8 second buzzer, but I'm not sure if I spent more time on top of the bull or he spent more time on top of me. The big thing missing is where I grab my hat off of the arena floor and toss it as high as I can and yell YEE - HAW. That elation still hasn't burst thru to the surface yet, but there are moments where I feel better. All I can say is that this was one heck of a ride.

I am happy with the great news I got at Mayo Clinic and am slowly gathering my strength for whatever lies ahead. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement.
Dave

Day by day, once chemotherapy treatments have wrapped up, you will just start to feel reinvigorated.

It's not an overnight phenomenon ~ it's subtle, yet steady.

Eat some healthy foods, stay hydrated in a healthy way, take a walk each day, and set a reasonable bedtime. Weekend naps are allowed!

As time went by, there cane a day when I suddenly realized, "Hey, I am really feeling like myself, once again!"

As time went on, I felt like I got my MOJO back!

Give it some time ~ and look forward to that subtle restoration & resurgence of energy.

Here's to the "rebound" ~ as days go by ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University