First Chemotherapy treatment

Hello Giz,

It's good to see the palliative radiotherapy has helped with the pain, and that your Husband is feeling positive, it helps immensely,  and also a decent level of fitness (being a cyclist hes got that covered) and good nutrition is also important moving forward...

I'm in a different scenario to your Husband but I did go through the same Chemotherapy (Docetaxel) regimen (6 cycles,  3 weeks apart) and I found it quite bearable and only slightly unpleasant... Like your Husband I was very positive leading up to treatment (I had just got back from a break in Greece, haha), and was only mildly apprehensive... Having the infusions themselves was no problem, and I felt good throughout,  I kept myself well hydrated and spent most of the time backwards and forwards to the toilet dragging the IV pole with me, and before I knew it I was on my way home...  I was determined  to work through (I'm a Floorlayer) the whole time only taking days off on treatment days which is what I managed to do... I had off days here and there but still  went to work and  pushed through (I felt able and comfortable to do this, some may deal with this differently), and stuck to my exercise and weightlifting regime... I took  precautions,  checking temperature regularly,  keeping away from groups of people at work,  and all was fine... Only a few minor side effects too (noted on my profile)... 

Like you said, we are all different and will react differently to the treatment, and have our own methods of getting through it...

I hope it goes smoothly for your Husband too, and he responds very well...

All the best 

Jay

(Detailed info on my profile)

Hello Gizmo13,

I started triplet therapy in 2024 following recurrence of my prostate cancer after initial RT / HT in 2016. I underwent docetaxel and have since been stable with undetectable PSA.

I have a blog which is kept up to date and a link to this is below should you wish to read it. You will also find another blog which is currently running entitled "Living with Desdemona" and you'll also find a link to this below. 

I completed 5 of the 6 chemo cycles. The 6th was cancelled because of side effects. However, it's worth bearing in mind that, in my case, I also had a different chemo for another cancer several years ago and my consultant told me that docetaxel was affecting me more severely because of this.

It's important to bear in mind that everyone reacts differently to chemotherapy and our own experiences are not the same as others may have. Your husband's fitness will be in his favour and he will be well monitored and looked after during his treatment. 

I hope all goes well and this is a success for you both. If there's anything more you'd like to ask I'll do my best to answer.

Derek.

Thank you for this response Jay! It’s great to hear how well you managed their chemotherapy. I really appreciate you responding! My husband is a carpenter and self-employed, do hoping to do as much work as he can cope with. It’s really helpful to hear that you were able to keep working through. Reading about side-effects is really scary! I hope you are doing well, and thank you for taking time to respond. I appreciate it. X

Thank you for responding Derek - I appreciate it. I’ll check out those links to your blog and the other one you mention. It’s really helpful having this resource, particularly at this time when I am processing the shock but also wanting to learn as much as I can. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, and pleased to hear about your PSA levels. All the very best to you, and thank you. X

Triplet therapy is SOC for stage 4/hi volume. I finished the docetaxel chemo, 6 cycles end of last year at Guildford. Really pleased with the result - PSA undetectable, small residual cancer only visible on scan. I had nausea on 2nd chemo cycle, nausea+vomit on 3rd. Dose reduced by just 10% completely fixed the side effects. So you should absolutely go for it, you can always reduce dose or even stop completely. The chemo wards are surprisingly calm and refreshments come round every hour or so! I found listening to music relaxed me, and a cold cap meant I didnt lose any hair. Apart from the few days of side effects after cycles 2, 3 I was able to lead a pretty normal (retired) life except for avoiding crowds. You should probably also avoid the swimming (I did) + seafood. Watch the PSA go down and enjoy!

Hi Gizmo, my hubby had 10 cycles of Docetaxel last year. On the whole he was lucky with side effects. In his case they started 3 days after infusion and lasted for about 5 days. He was a bit tired and had oral thrush and food not tasting right. He phoned the chemo helpline and got medication which soon cleared it. He had no nausea until the 7th, after which the dosage was reduced to 80% for the last 3. He lost most of his head and body hair, beard, eyelashes and brows, which actually began to regrow before finishing chemo.  He contacted the helpline a few times with queries and they always responded quickly, either with meds or reassurance. After the infusions he was given a 'goody bag' of steroids, the 'morning after' anti-sickness pill (his name for it!), other anti-sickness meds and (in his case) Filgrastim to boost his white blood cells. 

We're lucky in being retired with no pets or grandchildren so were able to avoid germs on the whole.

Good luck!

Hi Gizmo13

So sorry that you find yourself here and that hubby has joined our little club.

I was diagnosed last August and started on Triplet Therapy at the begin of this year.  I am on Zoladex injections (12 weekly) and Darolutamide daily (for life) and had six rounds of Docetaxel finishing at the end of May.

I found the infusion process relatively ok but did make the point of mentioning to the staff there each and every “issue” which appeared. I had some upset stomach issues which they sorted out for me for instance. During one of my mid point oncologist appointments I also mentioned that I was loosing feelings in the ends of my fingers and toes and my dose was reduced to 80% halfway through.

So do please record and report back!!

I found the first few days after infusion ok but then the pains in my arms and legs started and lasted several days, then eased off.  Fatigue was a big issue for me but I made the point of continuing my exercise regime as best I could.

Following the old Covid style precautions is a good idea (we did) and I stayed away from folk during the immunocompromised days. I checked my temperature morning and evening and in between if I felt a bit off. I did end up at A&E once and in the ward overnight because my temperature spiked. Some IV antibiotics sorted me out.  BUT it is really important to keep an eye out and to ring the helpline as soon as anything is not right.

I still avoid swimming pools as the chlorine can affect the skin during chemo - so just check that out as well.

The day of infusion you will have loads of steroids and these leave you really wired and I found unable to sleep.

Also the tapering down from the steroids at the end of the chemo I found difficult.

I also nottthat the chemo had a cumulative effect and the fatigue got worse.

However  - that is all in the past, I am on a treatment holiday until November when I have radiotherapy (but still on ADT). I am getting fitter and hair is growing back, my beard has started to grow again etc, although body hair has gone and moobs growing due to the ADT/HT!!

As others have said - everyone is different so take it day by day…

Don’t forget you can read our stories by clicking on our name or the roundel- and if you want to you can add in some details on your own profile so that we can see where hubby is along the spectrum of this troublesome disease.

Wishing you all the very best for the upcoming treatment 

KrisPy

Hi Giz (Gizmo13 ), think you have had some great answers and not sure my chemo experience adds anything.  I just wanted to pick up on your quote 

Gizmo13 said:

We haven’t told many people - mainly because finding the right time/way and not ruining their day is hard!

In my experience it is all about delivery.  I told my grandchildren when they were ages 3-6 I had cancer, but that I was having treatment or medicine.  Now, 9 years later I get an occasional ‘how is the cancer’ but it’s all done in a very low key way.  I hope that they grow up without the fear of cancer that my generation had.  Telling friends is more interesting,  some run towards you and others run away (they aren’t friends).  The more open we are, the more it just becomes normal.  I even wear a ‘men of men’ prostate cancer badge and it is surprising how that has triggered strangers talking about prostate cancer.  I want men to get tested earlier in the process, when treatments are simpler and very effective.

Stay positive (that helps immensely), keep fit and eat well are the 3 best pieces of advice I can give.  You will have questions and worries as you progress, but this site seems unique in the real experience that the contributors have.  I certainly wish I had known about it when I had just been diagnosed and my head was scrambled.

Hi Gizmo13

You might find this link useful.

 Hubby about to start chemo 

Keep positive.

Linda 

Thank you KrisPy. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. It’s so helpful to read other people’s experiences. I know everyone is different and responds to treatment differently, but first hand experiences make the side-effects list more human, if you know what I mean.

i think he’s going to seriously miss swimming! Hopefully he can still get out on his bike. He is such a fit, active person so being physically incapable really worries him.

Could I as a treatment question? Please feel free to ignore if too intrusive. Did you consider or try a cold cap? 

You sound very positive about treatment. 
Like you say, day by day!

Thanks again!

X Giz