Starting chemo Thursday 7/22

[5_plus_4]

My first treatment is going to be Cisplatin and Gem-something for bladder cancer caused by radiation for PC. I know all the side effects but can’t find how long until resistance happens and they stop working. Anyone know?

Thanks

[Hidden]

Are you being treated for PCA or bladder cancer...it appears to be the latter.

Regardless, here's to a successful treatment outcome 🍺 🍻 🍺 🍻

[Tall_Allen]

Resistance is not something that occurs on schedule. In some guys it never occurs.

[FFriendlyGuy]

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer about 9-10 months ago. Unfortunately, pretty aggressive. So the decision was made early on that the surgeon would remove bladder, prostate, and some lymph nodes.To improve chance of success, I did a 15 week round of chemotherapy, same preparations you are getting. Then a month recovery, then the surgery.

First of all, I was very lucky and am now considered cancer free, though regular CT Scans and follow up is required for the foreseeable future.

As for the chemo: I was warned that besides the well-known side effects such as hair loss (I was losing it to begin with and my husband shaves our heads pretty short every few weeks) and nausea, there is a 5% chance of getting tinnitus (yay, I won! I am in the five percent) and a 5% chance of getting neuropathy, tingling of hands and feet (yay, I won again!).

The nausea was very manageable: I would get pretty strong medication when they started the IV and I typically had no nausea at all when I went home. With one exception, I didn't ever take the anti-nausea medication I had for home use.

The tinnitus has not receded, but once again I was fortunate: It is very mild, not constant even. I notice it most when all of a sudden it nearly disappears and I realize I was hearing it before.

I only have neuropathy in my feet and that too has been manageable for me: I have always had cold extremities which is now a little worse, plus an unpleasant tingling. I make sure to not walk barefoot at home (I live in Florida, have tile floors and they are cold!). Finding the right shoes makes a difference. I have an old pair of shoes that is much better than a new pair I bought recently. It has nothing to do with old vs. new, I bought another pair, same as the old ones and that is equally good.

In short, you have to have a little bit of luck, but a good outlook will do you much good, as does a loving environment (my husband is a grump and does not have a sunny personality, but he was there for me every step of the way and supportive and loving).

Apologies if this was more of an answer than you were looking for...

[NOCanceros in reply to FFriendlyGuy]

I wish for you a great luck and to be in save after all operations,do not give up.

[Hidden in reply to FFriendlyGuy]

I use a sound machine at night for mild tinnitus. That's a tough road you've been on. Did they reconstruct a bladder after removing yours?

[FFriendlyGuy in reply to Hidden]

No, we went for a stoma. Not sure that was the right choice. But I think that nothing is the right choice and you just need to adjust to the "new normal". I am getting there.

[NOCanceros]

Good Luck

[Hidden]

It's a shame that your treatment for prostate cancer caused cancer in your bladder. Good luck to you.

[FFriendlyGuy in reply to Hidden]

No, it is the other way round: I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, so the bladder had to be removed. When they remove the bladder, the prostate goes too.

[Hidden in reply to FFriendlyGuy]

Whoa nelly! You’re one tuff hombre ! I salute you

[tallguy2]

Best wishes.

[treedown]

How do they know it was caused from radiation ? Looks like you had radiation about 3 years ago, is that correct ?

[5_plus_4 in reply to treedown]

CT & PET scans and biopsy show bladder cancer. Oncologist says radiation is likely cause. It was Stage 4 before it showed any symptoms.

[treedown]

So much for the 1 in 1000 who might get a second cancer in 20 years. Thats what my RT said the risks were.