I know a lot of people do struggle with chemo, and need hospitalizations, transfusions, and so forth. On the other hand such struggles are not guaranteed, and I hope this post shows that chemo can work and be mostly tolerable for others.
Yesterday was my umpteenth chemo infusion. I'm onto my fourth chemo recipe. This one involves taking home a 46 hour pump that drips 5-FU into my chemo port. My infusion was moved up three hours yesterday so I could get home before an honest but not quite epic snow storm began. Today I went out and used the snow thrower to clear the driveway, and posed for a photo op to show off the chemo pump that was otherwise kept safe inside my zippered up coat. Hopefully all that activity circulated my chemo into all the nooks and crannies of my body where the bastard cancer may be hiding.
Did I mention this is me just over a year after being diagnosed with the much feared neuroendocrine cancer, and 2 years and 3 months since my original prostate cancer diagnosis. Life goes on and I'm continuing to live it to the best of my abilities. Those abilities have been increasing since switching to a chemo that appears to be working.
And now the footnote: I discussed this ahead of time with the nurse practitioner before starting my infusion. We had two primary concerns: Excessive range of motion affecting the needle in my chemo port, and falling on the pump or needle would be bad. So the wife did the shoveling around the edges and swept off the cars, and I used the electric start instead of the rope starter. After that, the snow thrower is like a self propelled walker limiting the chance of a fall if I slip on a slick spot.
Written by
tom67inMA
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Yea, in 2015 completed 6 marathons amidst the 15 chemos. But, wasn't out in the snow at all and not with a new generation chemo in me. Keep on keepin on
Actually, this is a tried and true chemo for colon cancer, being used off label and with good results if you look at my dropping liver enzymes. Not nearly as devastating to me as cabazitaxel felt, but that could have been the cancer ignoring it too.
It's also kinda weird to feel more energy on chemo and have rising hgb and platelets. Though this probably has more to do with being on the wrong chemo previously.
A really great post! Movies and TV give chemo a bad rap, frightening people away from what might be their best therapy.
It’s so important to see people living with cancer doing all the mundane tasks that we all use to dread. Sharing the gratitude 🙏 for the energy to do those things can be life changing. Looks good on you Tom ❄️ ⛄️
Using power equipment has never felt mundane. That said, I do dread when it's super cold and windy and the snow gets blown back in your face. Happily this wasn't one of those days.
No boots? Yikes. We got 15" in the suburbs of Philly. That's when the snowblower is required...especially at the end of the driveway after the plow comes by.
No boots! Wife was nice enough to shovel the short path to the garage and then I stuck to walking only on cleared surfaces. I have been known to go through deep snow in running shoes before, and mom could never get me to wear a rain coat. If I'm not naked or topless, that's an accomplishment
Must be a MA thing...I lived in Milford, MA for 4 years in the early 70's. My little brother decided it would be a cool thing to go outside naked in 10 degree temps and 18" of snow.
Be well...and keep that snow blower handy...I believe there is more snow on the way.
It looks like a decision is forth coming for me about whether I go with Chemo or another option Provenge. PSA has slowly creeped up and doubled to .99 You are an inspiration with a never give up attitude. My scan was clean and the rest of my tests are normal. The problem with the Provenge is I would need to get to Manchester NH about 2 hrs away for treatments. Still about 6 months away from doing something. Snow here is piling up and I wait until I can't get the truck out of the driveway and then use a 5 ft snowblower on the back of the tractor. Best to you on your progress.
If your PSA is low and cancer is not out of control, but growing, my understanding is that is the best time to use Provenge. Chemo does better with high tumour burden, but for me hasn't done great when the cancer is too small to see on a CT scan.
When the snow is gone my suggestion: do both. Provenge works better paired with chemo. Don’t leave it on the table when earlier is better. That is my encouragement.
Do you mean do both at the same time? My MO says Provenge works best when under PSA20 but the manufacturer recommends best<5. Will discuss at next mtg in March.Thank you for your input. Bob
Like all of the people replying to you here, you are the dude.......what is the name of the new chemo that is working for you........I am bumping along after starting Taxotere and I would like to have another chemo besides carboplatinum if needed.
My chemo is called folfiri, and is a common colon cancer treatment. It's a combo of three different drugs. I forget what the "fol" stands for, but the second "f" is for 5-FU which is in the pump in the photo. "Iri" is for irinotecan which is nicknamed "I run to the can". There's also the usual support meds to prevent nausea and diarrhea. My cancer seems to be an oddity, so my doctors are going off label in the search for a treatment. Lesser doctors might have already told me "there's nothing more we can do", but I seem to have some very smart cookies pn my team.
You remain an inspiration with your indomitable spirit and mental toughness. My wife was treated with chemo for her Stage IV colon cancer which included oxaliplatin. Fortunately Stage IV colon cancer is curable and she remains cured 9 years later.
As I said in an earlier reply, my cancer seems like an oddity so I'm still hoping for a fluke cure. I've heard lots of colon cancer stories online, that stuff ain't for wimps.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Ice on hands/feet during taxotere/docetaxel infusion: what for and does it work 
How do you know if chemo is working?
What to do after chemo?! Immunotherapy trials!?
PSA flare during chemo
