Day 6 after first Docetaxel session, still in bed

Hi, an unwelcome development this morning.

OH was very tired again yesterday, he went to bed very early, says his legs ached and felt extra wobbly. 

This morning, he says his knees are discolouring, going yellow.

I phoned the Triage Nurse, they've asked him to go to the Assessment Unit at our hospital.

The nurse asked about bladder and bowel movement, and whether the whites of his eyes are yellow too, they're not. I guess they're thinking of kidney function.

Any thoughts from you?

Thankyou

Hi Jess. Sorry to hear about this development. The yellowing could be a side effect of the cancer treatment but what the hospital will be checking for is bilirubin in the blood which might be a sign of liver toxicity. They will ask about the colour of the urine and stools so check if there has been a recent change. The chemotherapy can have odd side effects on skin colour, hair colour and texture so hopefully it is just something like this but it is always best to check it out. Let us know how you get on.

Hi Jess40 

you have done the right thing by contacting the triage nurse. Better getting checked out by the medics and if necessary given treatment . 
please keep in touch and hope it’s just a minor blip.

hugs to you both 

Liz & OH xx

Hi, yes, you were right, he had some blood tests, sat tight at hospital while they were analysed, came home and has gone to bed exhausted.

The yellowing is a side effect of the chemotherapy. I suspected so, but the colour was quite violent and I didn't want to leave it to chance and it be something more serious.

Thanks all <3

Hi Jess40 

Glad it’s all ok. But worth checking .

thank you for letting me know 

hugs 

Liz & OH xxx

Hi Friends...

Since my last post, almost a couple of weeks ago, OH has had another MRI and the doctor at the assessment unit was pleased to tell him that after only 2 sessions of Docetaxel, an improvement can be seen in the tumours.

This is excellent news of course, but there's a long way to go.

Hi 3rd infusion is this week, there'll be 6 altogether, so if all goes to plan, he'll be finished mid June.

He's having triplet therapy, but this isn't a curable situation.

I understand they hope to stop the cancer being 'active' - but what happens after the run of chemotherapy?

Thankyou 

Hi Jess40 , good news that the chemo is having a result already.  I am not medically trained but my understanding is that the chemo will kill most of the cancer.  Any bits that are left will go dormant with the HT for months or years.  In my case I had chemo in 2017 and the little blighters didn’t reappear until about 18 months ago.  Just take it day by day during chemo and once that is over, start to reclaim your lives.  David

HiDavid2017 

I just reread your profile to get up to date, all very positive and what a great PSA!, without Enzalutamide too. You must be really happy,

Lorraine  

Many thanks Lorraine (BW ), I took Enzalutamide for 3 months before Christmas, so my very low PSA might be as a result of that still lingering or it might be the SABR.  Either way, it is promising. I am due another blood test this week, but that might be skewed as I have just had the latest Covid jab.  Take care, David

Hi all,

Just checking in, OH had his 3rd chemo session last week. Seemed to be much better in the first few days, but he is still insisting on doing pretty much a full week at work. There's no need to, his company have been fantastic, and he understands this.

He loves his work, and the contact with people, and I understand this.

He comes home a little earlier in the evenings, but it's still not enough of a concession, as when Fridays roll round, he's exhausted and sleeps most of the weekend away.

I've tried talking to him about it, and he says he's listening, but it seems to go in one ear and out of the other, as the following week, he does it all again. And then is surprised at how tired and ill he feels!

I'm concerned that as the chemo timetable wears on, he is putting more pressure on his body if he is tired all the time.  Continued chemo will be having more and more impact on his immune system, and if he's tired, he'll end up with a cold or other infection more easily than if he is rested.

Any thoughts or suggestions here, please?