Update and Questions on Cabazitaxel

[GrizzlyMama]

Hello fellow riders on the roller coaster called PC’s Wild Ride! 🎢. Jim’s latest lab and scan results have been like rollercoaster-lots of ups 🙂 and downs 😱!

Latest scans: New uptake in multiple upper thoracic vertebra, 😱 but with decreased uptake in lesions of the ribs and pelvis and lower thoracic vertebra. 🙂 New sclerotic osseous metastases from T3 to T9, as compared to 3/2/2020. 😱 New filling defect at the junction of the brachiocephalic vein and superior aspect of the superior vena cava, compatible with small deep venous thrombus. (Immediately placed on Eliquis!)😱 We are grateful it was discovered. 🙂 PSA 49.6😱

We saw his local and Stanford oncologists, who are working together, 🙂 and both are recommending chemotherapy, Cabazitaxel, that is given once every 3 weeks for 10 weeks. As expected, Jim will need a medi-port for the infusions.

Questions:

1. What is your experience with Cabazitaxel (Jetvana)?

2. Is Cabazitaxel worse, better, or about the same as Docataxel?

3. What is your experience with a medi-port? We’re praying it’s a lot less invasive than the CVC-Central vena catheter. The CVC definitely interfered with Jim’s QOL.

We appreciate each of you and this forum that helps us navigate this journey. Thank you!

[Shooter1]

I had a PICC line installed mid way between my shoulder and elbow for a 9 cycle chemo..Not too bad..and worked way better than regular IV and no surgical implant of port.

[GrizzlyMama in reply to Shooter1]

Thank you for the suggestion. We’ll research the PICC line.

[tango65]

Some info about chemo for prostate cancer including Jevtana:

grandroundsinurology.com/dr...

thelancet.com/journals/lano...

[GrizzlyMama in reply to tango65]

Thank you so much! Both of those articles are very encouraging!

[tango65 in reply to GrizzlyMama]

Best of luck!!

[spouse21]

I can't speak about Jevtana since my husband hasn't had it. Currently he's holding fairly steady after 10 Docetaxal infusions, which ended seven months ago. When he was done with that , his oncologist said: "You must be looking forward to have the port removed." Being a rather jaundiced realist who knows more chemo is likely at some point, my husband answered: "I'm leaving it in." Except for the discomfort during the first week after the port was installed, in the grand scheme of cancer-related hellishness, he hasn't been bothered by the port. He gets monthly blood work drawn via the port, so it makes that procedure easier.

Good luck with the Jevtana, GrizzlyMama. Due to Covid, you probably have to let GrizzlyPapa, go solo, right? I hate how we caregivers can't keep our guys company or ask pesky questions of the oncologist.

[GrizzlyMama in reply to spouse21]

Thank you for sharing your husband’s experience. Thankfully, I’ve been able to go in with Jim for most of his appointments due to his chemo brain; He is unable to relay information to me. The infusion center is a different story. We are hoping I’ll be able to go in with Jim since we’ll be doing the cryotherapy on his hands and feet again. 🙏🏻I read your posts. May your husband continue to respond positively to his current treatment. Thank you again for taking the time to reply to me. 😊

[treedown]

Love the name and pic GrizzlyMama, best wishes to you and your husband.

[GrizzlyMama in reply to treedown]

Thank you! My class mascot was a grizzly bear. I was fiercely protective of my students and nurtured them like a mama bear! I’m the same way with my husband-protective and nurturing! 😊

[Hidden]

My husband had a port put in last week. He is pretty much doing everything except lifting. I won't let him yet. The incision is all healed up and he had his first chemo. Everything went smooth. He had no issues.

[GrizzlyMama in reply to Hidden]

Good to know! 😊 Thank you!