Dang- Been a long time since I checked in- 2nd round Taxotere tomorrow

Sorry I haven't been around much, but I have just been out choking the life out of every "Bonus Day" I am given.

A brief recap is in order for the new folks (and there are many) and all of the rest as I haven't been posting as much lately.

June 2009 diagnosed GL 7. Sept 2009 -Surgery at Henry Ford in Detroit. Dec 2009 - SRT at MDA Orlando, 70Gys. May 2010 - 10 days of radiation to hip for suspected MET. PSA kept rising till lymph nodes were finally seen on scan Jan 2014. Started Lupron and TAK 700 (clinical trial), and at 6 months removed from TAK portion of trial because of rise in PSA.

I was able to take the year of 2015 off from HT as my PSA had dropped from 92.5 to less than 4.

February 2016 with a PSA of 136, back on Lupron to be accompanied with 6 treatments of Taxotere. After 4 TAX treatments and my numbers not really responding as was expected, my Oncologist halted the TAX. I was asked to take part in the MATCH Trial from NIH. A biopsy of one of my lymph nodes was taken and sent to the labs. Unfortunately I didn't have any of the little nasites they were looking for to be paired with some of the newer drugs that have come out.

Last Tuesday I met with the Oncologist and reviewed the new blood work. My PSA had dropped to 33 over the last two months. I am still on Lupron, but this was after we stopped the TAX and at that point my PSA was 55.

My Oncologist feels that this was the work of the Lupron and a delayed result of the TAX treatment. He suggested that I go through another round of 4 TAX treatments and my first is tomorrow.

At this point Lupron and Taxotere at the only treatments I have had. Zytiga, Xtandi and all of the others are still out there for me if the TAX doesn't seem to do it this time around.

I really tolerated the Taxotere well the first time around and the hope is that nothing will change this time. I had no nausea or bowel issues, no neuropathy, no mouth issues and only a slight change in taste (which has resolved) and no fatigue issues. I am a little fatigued at times but I give ownership of this to the Lupron. As for Lupron side effects, nothing there either. I have an occasional hot flash, no weight gain, no mood swings, no libido and so far no desire to give up the sports channels to go shoe shopping or start watching the cooking shows and the Ellen show.

As always when I am going through something, I will report on the progress or issues. I do this for the benefit of others that may one day walk this path.

Through all of this my life has not really changed. Every Day is A Bonus in my World and I am still choking the life out of them. Sherry and I missed the GFMPH in NY this year (family wedding to attend), but the dates for Baton Rouge and cut in stone for April.

And OH by the way, I am really looking forward to the Dexamethasone Steroid that comes along with the TAX. I look forward to the three days of really jazzed up energy it gives me. I have a few repairs to do from the hurricane and a fishing trip is on the schedule too.

You folks have a great day, more later when there is something to report.

Hello Sonny !

Good to hear from you --- Sonny, you are looking at life from the SUNNY SIDE of the street, that's for sure --- keep shining ---

Meanwhile, definite support coming from me, as you start into your TAXOTERE chemotherapy treatments --- there are quite a few of us here who are members of the "Chemo Club" and just wanted to extend a handshake, to wish you well and to let you know I'm right here to support you, every step of the way.

My side effects from the chemo treatments were on the mild side, as yours have been --- but take good care of yourself during your series of treatments, Sonny.

Handshake, support, & brotherhood from across the miles,
"Cyclone Team Fan" ~ Iowa State University