Hello again!

Hi Sue, my husband is also currently on his second round of Docetaxyl (day 14). Personally I think it’s good for my husband to keep active and do “normal” things but I totally understand your concern about overdoing it. I was concerned that my husband was pushing it, and he actually blacked out for a couple of minutes after power hosing the patio on day 2 of this cycle (the strong steroids made him feel invincible!) He was also nervous about me calling the helpline and was worried they’d say go to A&E after he blacked out but I insisted. They were very helpful in talking it through and reassuring me! They explained that it’s good for him to do things, but he needs to be sensible, listen to his body and rest when needed - and just said he’d clearly just overdone it and needed to be more careful. If you have any concerns, from my personal experience, I’d say call the helpline and it will hopefully put your mind at ease. Sending love and strength xxx

Hello Anna42

Thank you so much for your swift reply.Your husband sounds similar to mine, he too has jet washed the patio, only in the first week of his first cycle.The steroids create the feelings of invincibility...its hard to keep up !  Keeping active is so important both physically & mentally. I hope that today's extreme tiredness & low bp were because he had over done things yesterday.

Thank you for sharing your experience, it is so helpful.  We have agreed that if he is the same tomorrow we will call the help line.

I can so identify with the "pushing it" I have suggested we try pacing it instead!! 

Thanks again, sending love & strength to you too xx 

Good morning Sue. Docetaxel does come with a range of possible side effects and lowering of blood pressure and/or irregular heartbeat with possible blackouts are two of them. It is important to let the experts know that this is happening and keeping a record can help them determine its significance - monitor morning and evening plus if he experiences any episodes of breathlessness or palpitations. Changes in BP can be associated with low blood counts which will be picked up at the routine blood test before the next cycle of chemotherapy. Has your husband been told to inject Filgrastim for a few days after his infusion - some areas do it as standard whilst others wait to see if the white bloods need a boost. Don't be afraid to contact the experts as they will have a plan to help your husband through this.

Sending you a big hug xx

Hello Alwayshope

I do hope all is going well for your husband? Has he started his next Docetaxyl  yet?

Thank you for your swift replyand as always ,wise advice.

Yes he has to have Filgrastim  for 7 days,starting on day 3. I did wonder if this was contributing or whether it was just coinciding with his worst days. He has only had the occasional "flitting pain" in his tibia & mandible. Has not needed any analgesia at any time.

His last ore infusion blood test showed slightly high WBC & Platelet count. The nurse advised this would probably be the case each time,as on Filgrastim. 

I really think he completely overdid things on day 8, sawing skirting boards etc, during the "rough time". He has agreed that "pushing through" is neither an option nor sensible on those days and light exercise, walking etc and resting is "listening to his body"! 

He has woken this morning  "feeling a different man" back to feeling as he does on the "good days" He has noted he is thirsty for the furst time too. Likely fluid loss from sweating ++ during diy and at times yday.

I will be sure to let the medical team know.

Thank you again. Sending hugs back.

Sue

Hi Sue. Glad things look better today.

We are due to see the oncologist next Friday to discuss the next steps. Hubby's last PSA showed a slight reduction so things seem to be under control at the moment, hopefully as a result of the radiotherapy to the bone mets. It is all a balancing act but the fight goes on.