Posted 4/15/2017 9:36 AM (GMT -5)
Hello Mr. Bill ~
Just a note of support, as you continue your series of TAXOTERE treatments.
Yes, your medical oncologist will have some insight and perspective to share with you, just as you mentioned. Each case is different, and this is where their experience and expertise is essential.
With that being said, I also went through TAXOTERE treatments while on continuous ADT treatments.
Here's something that my oncologist reminded me about when I started chemotherapy treatments ...
The ADT hormone shots have the "easiest" work, in a manner of speaking, as they often greatly reduce PSA scores because they "starve and strangle" those hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cells.
Many of us here have experienced the significant drops in PSA, as ADT hormone treatments began. My initial PSA was over 100, and the ADT shots knocked my PSA down to low levels in the first few months.
From there, then I started the TAXOTERE treatments, which is right where you are at currently.
My oncologist reminded me that the chemotherapy treatments have the HARDEST job, in a sense ... the chemo treatments have to attack the stubborn, more resistant, hormone-INSENSITIVE prostate cancer cells ... the ones "left over" that aren't impacted by the ADT hormone shots.
So, my oncologist reminded me to "stay patient, stay determined, stay the course" throughout my entire series of chemotherapy treatments.
True, we ALWAYS want to see a drop in PSA levels, with each subsequent chemotherapy infusion. This is where your oncologist's expertise will be helpful to you.
But my oncologist reminded me that we needed to "stay the course" even during times when we weren't seeing dramatic drops in PSA scores, from one infusion to the next.
I specifically remember one time when my PSA dropped only 1/100th of a decimal point ... sigh ... I was a little discouraged, hoping for more of a DROP from each chemo session, of course, just like every patient hopes for ...
My oncologist reminded me that the chemotherapy has "hard work to do" in attacking those stubborn and resistant cells ... and it is the SERIES of treatments that is needed to fully achieve the benefits, over the course of time.
Chemotherapy is a SYSTEMIC treatment, so it is traveling all over the body, attacking those resistant cancer cells ... and it is attacking the cancer cells that your LUPRON shots can't attack. Think of your LUPRON shots and your chemo treatments, working together now ... like loading up a DOUBLE-BARRELED shotgun ...
That's the visual image that was helpful to me, as my TAXOTERE infusions continued ...
I know you and your doctor will stay on top of your PSA trends ... but I also wanted to share a bit of first-hand insight that I gleaned from my oncologist ...
The most encouraging thing that I can share with you, after slogging through a series of TAXOTERE treatments, just like you are doing right now ... not fully knowing what was next or what the benefits might be ...
In time, you might want to add your first-hand TAXOTERE treatment experiences to the thread here entitled "TAXOTERE SIDE EFFECTS" ... our collective, first-hand experiences with TAXOTERE are posted there, to help our "other brothers" who are just getting started on their chemotherapy treatments ...
It's been almost 3 years ago since I started chemo treatments ... I continue to work full-time, I exercise each day, I stay active, I work on volunteer projects, I go to social events, and I stay connected to my family, friends, and faith ... the treatments helped me, and carried me through this far, so I am grateful for the ways in which my treatments have helped me, over the course of time.
Keep in touch with us, Mr. Bill ~ let us know how you are faring. You have all my support, as your treatments continue !
Handshake, from across the miles,
"Cyclone Team Fan" ~ Iowa State University