Second chemo update

[henukit]

Just received blood work results after the second chemo. PSA is 1.94 (500 -> 13 -> 4.34) all other blood counts are good. I also restored vitamin D to normal by supplementing. Started chemo 7 weeks ago, the hair started to go just prior to the second session. I fasted around both sessions and had minimal side effects (slight muscle aches 2 days after) during the first and none during second. Next day after the second chemo I traveled internationally, worked all day delivering presentations and meetings, broke fast, ate tasty local seafood, then traveled for fun a couple of days and came back rested and re-charged. I think this fasting regimen is helping to reduce side effects and feel great otherwise.

[Tonyland]

Hi there,

Great news and thanks for posting. My dad just completed second cycle.

[RalphieJr64]

You seem to have a really good attitude. That can only help you. Keep us updated after every treatment. I've had both chemo as well as radiation. The community here has gotten me thru plenty.

Good luck, Ralph

[henukit in reply to RalphieJr64]

Thanks, will do! Everyone here has been very helpful, I'm grateful we can encourage each other.

[Litlerny]

That is really wonderful news! Happy to hear it is working so well, and even happier to hear the side effects of the chemo have been tolerable. Your fasting regimen is probably helping some, and your attitude and upbeat spirit are definitely helping. Keep it up!

I finished a course of chemo (6 cycles of docetaxel at 3 week intervals) in March. Like you, I started losing hair during the 2nd treatment. I didn’t lose it all, but it is just now starting to grow back on my face, but (so far) not on my head. The other side effects weren’t fun, but they were fairly predictable.

[Ian2017]

Thanks for your insights. It seems that your experience is quite a normal one. I too lost my hair at about 3 weeks after first infusion. It came out in chunks over 2-3 days. I didn't bother with fasting but kept to a 'sensible' high fruit high veg high fiber no extremes eating regimen. I work out in a pool almost every day which I believe has been a massive help especially with aspects like joint pains and stiffness (I had irregular short sharp pains in my knee, ankle, foot, wrist joints for about 7-10 days after each infusion). I travelled overseas twice during chemo (always in the window between about day 14 and day 20 post infusion and once the infection high risk period had passed) - although my oncologist did not encourage or really condone flying for long hauls during the chemotherapy due to the hightened risk of clotting. I was relatively ok until about the 4th infusion. Thereafter, I had increased feelings of neuropathy in my feet and lots more fatigue. I'm now in week 6 after my final infusion and those feelings have mostly gone. My hair on my head, face, arms, legs, etc is now starting to come back quite strongly. I wait to see what the final outcome looks like.

Good luck with your program and please keep us posted. Incidentally, my PSA taken 3 weeks after final infusion is 0.02 so the docetaxel has worked to plan.

[j-o-h-n]

Ahhh forget the hair, that'll grow back... tell us what was the "tasty local seafood" that you ate?

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 05/30/2018 8:38 PM EDT

[henukit in reply to j-o-h-n]

Oh, boy, where to start... Freshest oysters I've ever had, mussels, scallops, arctic char, sashimi, and of course Nova Scotia lobster.

[j-o-h-n in reply to henukit]

Get me a bib..... I'm drooling....

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Thursday 05/31/2018 10:07 PM EDT