Update 3: End of Chemotherapy - Docetaxel

[JNunes]

Hi,

Last Friday, October 2nd, my father completed the 6 cycle of docetaxel, as planned.

The same morning, he was in consultation with his oncologist, who informed him that, like bone scan, CT does not show metastases. Everything is clean, except for something in the lung due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which has been diagnosed for years.

The PSA value is close to 2. I cannot say the exact value, because my father was alone with the doctor, and this is what she told him. I don't know what the value of his PSA will be after cycle 6, I hope the trend will continue to decrease.

The oncologist apparently said that the process went very well, that although it happens, it is rare to go so well.

On the present day, I have no way of knowing what appeared in previous exams, as I believe he did during the biochemical recurrence PET PSMA, and I am not sure what appeared in each exam. I only know that he had high volume metastasis, but I don't know whether on PET or CT or Bone scan. However, the doctor is apparently satisfied with the response to treatment.

The oncologist scheduled another appointment and blood collection for December.

My father is being accompanied in the public health system, in an apparently well-regarded hospital, as it is exclusively for cancer patients. However, I am afraid that because it is a public system, do not follow it carefully, but only the standard. Is it a long time to return only in December for analysis and consultation with the oncologist?

We are very happy that things have gone well. At the moment, my father has some fatigue, without major effects at other levels.

Thank you very much for all that I have learned from your shares.

[LearnAll]

Yes. IMO...over 3 months is a long time to monitor PCa accurately. I will pay out of pocket and get PSA and ALP done around end of 1st week of November. That's just my way of keeping track of PCa carefully.

[JNunes in reply to LearnAll]

Right. Thanks for your advice, LearnAll.

[SPEEDYX]

Definitely moving in right direction.....keep on it your the best advocate for your father🙏

[JNunes in reply to SPEEDYX]

I should look for an oncologist who can guide us for a closer monitoring, right?

Thank you for your comment.

[SPEEDYX in reply to JNunes]

If it is possible I would do so especially since he is just starting ....you want to keep close eye on it....I switched and what a difference it made.

[JNunes in reply to SPEEDYX]

Maybe it was important to ask for a second opinion, by paying an appointment with another oncologist. Thank you, Mr SPEEDYX.

[SPEEDYX in reply to JNunes]

Definitely.....I was at mskcc and switched MO at same place and both had different approach I was happy I switched

[podsart in reply to SPEEDYX]

Who were the pre switch and post Drs at MSKCC?

[SPEEDYX in reply to podsart]

Pre was Dr Aguilhar who was most intelligent and knowledgeable ...but was not totally vested in my case.... Dr McHugh is my current MO totally involve gave my zytiga a chance to work which it started working after 4 months and he also works also with Dr Morris in NYC.

[podsart in reply to SPEEDYX]

Thanks

[SPEEDYX in reply to JNunes]

I found out 1st MO was leaving for more prestigious position...I was not getting full attention

[podsart in reply to SPEEDYX]

Apparently, there’s a lot of such turnover these days I hear

[SPEEDYX in reply to podsart]

Yes the one I have is in his mid thirties....who know how long and he goes to commack and city too...that's why we have to be well informed and let them know we have the experience of many warriors here!!!

[podsart in reply to SPEEDYX]

True

[Hidden]

Great job completing chemo. Now comes rest and recovery . 👏👏😂

[JNunes in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Whimpy-p. Yes, he need to rest and recovery now.

It was a tough summer.

Best

[Hidden in reply to JNunes]

He will feel better hopefully the further he gets way from treatments . 🙏

[Concerned-wife]

my husband’s oncology practice allows him to put me on speaker phone as they talk so I can listen. You might ask if this is a possibility

[JNunes in reply to Concerned-wife]

It's a good idea. Sometimes I feel like my dad doesn't want to upset the doctors, and that makes things more difficult for us as a family.

[Concerned-wife in reply to JNunes]

Good doctors should not be upset by this. I also believe in having questions typed ahead of time to be efficient with their limited time.

[Muffin2019]

Good for him, heading in the right direction, after chemo about 3 years ago my bone Mets are stable with no progression seen anywhere. The psa dropped to .6 from 155, it has increased to 6.4 and added another drug including ongoing lupron shots . My chemo went very good with very little side effects, still, feel good, my oncologist says you treat the cancer not the psa as it is a marker as is yearly CT and bone scans.

[JNunes in reply to Muffin2019]

It would be much easier for me to fully trust the doctor who accompanies him. It is exhausting to always be aware if he is being taken care of.

Thank you for your sharing. I hope you continue well, Muffin2019.

[j-o-h-n]

Good News for your Father there in Portugal..... God Bless him.....

Boas notícias para o vosso Pai aí em Portugal ..... Deus o abençoe .....

Boa sorte, boa saúde e bom humor.

j-o-h-n Quinta-feira 08/10/2020 19h05 DST

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 10/08/2020 7:05 PM DST

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

Thank you from Portugal, j-o-h-n.