Some questions answered, some answers questioned, and Chemotherapy scheduled.

[Philly13]

I exchanged emails with the MO over the weekend regarding the combination trials of Docetaxel and Radium 223. Below is a portion of the exchange. Part 1 explains why there was no treatment for 90 days. Part 2 the Medical Oncologist paragraph talks about his familiarity with the Docetaxel/Radium 223 trials. Part 3 is a call I just received.

Part 1.

Philly13---"The last dose of AMG 509 was on June 24th. It seems like 90 days without treating the disease is a long time. We will be well beyond that before starting. I would like to understand the lack of urgency. Whatever the reason, I can handle it.”

Medical Oncologist-- "you have been on therapy- radiotherapy then dexamethasone which is a hormonal therapy and clinically you have done well. No protocol would allow you to enter since you had no signs of progression. That is great! Your last PSA is now increasing but you remain with minimal symptoms and now is the appropriate time to start a therapy. Cabazitaxel is ordered and we should know this week if the insurance will cover it, if not we will put docetaxel in ASAP. We should be able to treat this week or next."

Philly13 --doesn't understand there is no sign of progression with my history and the numerous skeletal metastases that are on every image. I do understand that I have to clear some of the previous meds out of my system, but don't get that no protocol would allow me to enter. Seems to me that RT and pain meds knocked the pain away.

Part 2.

Medical Oncologist--"I know the data with chemotherapy plus Radium 223 well, a good friend of mine at MSKCC did the trials… While there may be some benefit it was not overwhelming…As we stated we have not had great success with doublet combination at this stage of PC. Typically I like to save this in case the chemotherapy does not work. (Remember in those combination trials there was lower dose of chemotherapy for a shorter period of time). Happy to ask for an update on the long-term outcomes from my colleagues at MSKCC."

Hang in there!

Best

Medical Oncologist

Part 3.

This afternoon I received word that I have been approved for Cabazitaxel and will start on Thursday, September 30.

Yikes! My head is spinning. I am excited to be moving forward, nervous about actually taking the treatment, and kind of nauseous on general principle.

I am kidding about being nauseous. It took too much time to get here, but my head is in a good place to battle Cancer this way.

Thanks again to everyone.

Philly13

[Fiddler2004]

Seems like you have a good oncologist .... good luck with the new treatments

[HopingForTheBest1]

Don't ever stop researching you options, and keep challenging your medical team with questions. Best of luck.

[j-o-h-n in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

Who's your M O at MSKcc?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 09/14/2021 5:40 PM DST

[Philly13 in reply to j-o-h-n]

My MO is at Jefferson in Philly. I saw A Doctor at MSKCC in early 2019. The Doc at MSKCC studied as my MO’s fellow. So I was handed back to them doctor in Philly. The quote regarding the combo trial is someone my guy talks to all the time. I think his name is Morris. I will try to find out for you.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Philly13]

Thank you!

Dr. Michael Morris is my M.O. at MSKcc. He is top notch... Smart as a whip.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 09/14/2021 10:31 PM DST