Update on Jim July 2021: (Cabazitaxel, ?Immunotherapy)

[GrizzlyMama]

I am sorry for not posting sooner. Truth be told, I try to live as if the cancer is not dictatng our lives. It’s only when the negative side effects (SE) rear their ugly heads or the treatment stops working, that it once again becomes front and center. Perhaps, it’s denial. My therapist says it’s one way to cope-not right or wrong. I like to think it’s an effective survival technique. 😊

My hope is that Jim’s experience will be useful and beneficial for others.

In January 2021, Jim began 10 treatments of Cabazitaxel-45 mg every 3 weeks. PSA 49.6

~1/5 (1st Dose): 45 mg —SE: Typical yet manageable

~1/26 (#2/10): 45 mg — 1/27 Neulasta 6 mg (Immune booster)

SE: Much worse; miserable; could hardly get out of bed for 2 weeks

~2/16 (#3/10): 45 mg (3/4 Subsequent PSA 8.146)

2/17 Neulasta* 6 mg (Immune booster).

SE: Same as 1/26-27

~3/9 (#4/10): 35 mg (3/25 PSA 5.709)

SE: Slightly better

~3/30 (#5/10): 35 mg (4/16 PSA 5.12)

SE: Better; 1 bad week; 2 tolerable

~4/20 (#6/10): 35 mg (5/7 PSA 5.14)

SE: Same as 3/30

~5/11 (#7/10): 45 mg (5/27 PSA 7.64; 6/7 PSA 9.71)

SE: Miserable; similar to 1/27

~6/10 (#8/10): 45 mg (6/28 PSA 8.498)

SE: Jim said if you read the Cabazitaxil SE’s, he has them all! Rough 2 weeks!

~7/1 (#9/10): 45 mg

Same as 6/10.

Postponing #10 to go on 3-day backpacking trip with our son and 5-year old grandson. Something Jim has looked forward to since our grandson was born.

Neulasta*-Intensified SE’s. Jim’s QOL decreased significantly. I went back and checked his lab markers from his previous chemotherapy (Docetaxil). They were all over the chart and Jim was never given any immune boosters. We discussed with his local oncologist and it was decided to stop the Neulasta as well as reduce the Cabazitaxel dose.

Jim continues to take Eligard and Xgeva every 3 months. All treatments are done locally. The 4 hour drive to Stanford is too much for Jim. We still consult with his Stanford Urology Oncologist on a regular basis.

It is important to note that Jim’s priority is quality of life (QOL) above all else.

Future treatment is immunotherapy (Keytruda). We are hoping Jim can take a break between Cabazitaxil and immunotherapy.

Thank you for allowing me to share our experience. I am grateful for this outlet!

[monte1111]

I hang out here, but I don't know a lot. I didn't take Neulasta but I heard Claritin helped. Just in case PapaBear has to do it again. I took Zartigo(sp) shots 3 days in a row after every infusion. I could hardly walk. My begging to stop did no good. I did not know about Claritin. Keytruda is for the prostate cancer? Excuse me for asking.

[HopingForTheBest1 in reply to monte1111]

Keytruda can possibly be effective for prostate cancer if you are MSI and have a high tumor burden. You need to have genetic testing to find out if you are a viable candidate.

[monte1111 in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

Thanks. There are so many variables it makes the head spin. Maybe I should see an exorcist.

[GrizzlyMama in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

Thankfully, Jim has the marker for Keytruda to be effective.

[HopingForTheBest1]

For someone who is considering going on to chemo for the first time, by using a combo of Carboplatin & Cabazitaxl, you post is so timely for me. Definitely looks like I may very well be looking at a rough ride. Thanks so much. And, most of all, for being there for Jim.

I totally agree that we should all try to live our lives as if our cancer is not dictating it, as best we can. But, truth be told, this is the toughest journey that we warriors have ever faced. We must continue to fight the fight, and live each day one day at a time.

[GrizzlyMama in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

Some people do okay. 🙏🏻Since this is your first experience with chemo, here are some suggestions that worked for Jim:

1) Jim didn’t eat anything prior to chemo, usually 12+ hours.

2) We used cryotherapy for his hands and feet. We purchased Elasto-Gel Therapy Mitt and Socks and a rolling cooler. We froze the gel packs the night before and picked up dry ice at our local ice company on the way to chemo. (Be sure to read safety instructions for dry ice.) He put on the cooled gel mitts and socks about 30 minutes prior to infusion and I changed them every 20-30 minutes.

Jim wore lightweight gloves and socks and they should offer you warm blankets.

3) Bring an iPad and headphones for tv, music, or reading.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

[HopingForTheBest1 in reply to GrizzlyMama]

Very helpful! Did he also use an ice cap for his head to minimize hair fallout?

[GrizzlyMama in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

The icecap was too uncomfortable. Jim didn’t care about losing his hair, which he never did. It did thin out and turn gray. Color back to normal now.

[Jackpine]

I finished 9 rounds of Jevtana in May and have now started Keytruda, I thinks it’s wise to have a break between treatments to let his body heal some.