As there have been a few posts recently about quality of life, I thought I'd put one out there about my main current avenue of enjoyment - playing bass guitar in a club band. We had a cracking gig last night with a packed dance floor all evening. A highlight for me as the bassist was our new song; a cover of Ian Dury's 'Hit me with your Rhythm Stick' - lovely bass line albeit a little challenging at the speed of a live performance!
I would love to do some travelling as well, but for family reasons I won't go into, that's not an option for the foreseeable future.
This is one of the reasons (the main one, actually) why I'm not too unhappy that the NHS didn't offer me triplet therapy including docetaxel chemo - neuropathy of the hands would be a massive hit on my QoL and I'd like to maintain the ability to play songs like 'Hit me' for as long as possible. So far, I am tolerating Prostap (ADT) plus Xtandi reasonably well - hoping that will last a long time!
Written by
Benkaymel
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Great QOL post brother. For sure playing in a band and / going to see one and even dancing are wonderful QOL things to do. How much fun is seeing a band and even better playing in one yayahahahaya. Kewl ….
Sounds like your treatment is going pretty well … you are out and active … good as ADT gets. Xtandi has lasted me 49 months now and saved me from hospice, hope it works as well for you too brother. you are off to a great start.
Playing in a band sounds like great therapy. For several years now I have been the grateful beneficiary of the gifts of folks like you who play in local bands. Thank you.
We try to make every Friday night a live music night, summers we go to all the free concerts in the park, at the beach, etc., and we try to make a variety of concerts (local and touring artists). During Covid it was a challenge to keep this up, but I was so grateful for all of the artists who streamed their performances. Not as good as being there, but wonderful none the less.
Unfortunately, I am not welcome in a band (or even at kareoke) as I am musically inept. This limitation doesn't stop me from singing along (much to the regret of anyone near enough to hear), keeping time with the music (just not exactly on beat), and shaking my booty (don't even start to picture that or you will be scarred for life).
Keep up the music, and best wishes for you as you continue to keep cancer beat back.
Haha, I'm sure your singing is better than you realise! Great to get out and watch gigs too. I've been to our local live venue watching a couple of great tribute bands recently; Beatlemania and Electrik Live Orchestra. Good luck with your fight.
Good to hear! I’m a guitar player and singer in 2 bands myself. If you should ever get chemo, fear not the neuropathy. It didn’t affect me at all. Soak the hands in ice water throughout the infusion.
If you also practice and drink plenty of water you’ll be fine.
At least when you’re performing that is. Chemo induced neuropathy is no match for our brand of adrenaline 😺🎵
Excellent way to live. I recently bought an electric drum set so my wife doesn't have to listen to me banging an acoustic set. The fact you are an Ian Dury fan shows to your great taste in music. Ask Aida.
I play a banjo. Or perhaps more accurately I have a banjo. Do you know the difference between a banjo and an onion? The difference is no one cries when you cut up a banjo. I also feared neuropathy. I have a family member that really got it bad after chemo. Therefore, I did the ice bags on my head, feet and hands trick, which worked! No neuropathy!
Hi, I happen to play bass but not good enough to play in a band, years I did play salsa with a amateur group. Glad to hear you enjoy playing so muc. My experience with taxotere has never affected my hands, I have always used ice baths for my fingers to protect my finger nails. I have had minor neuropathy on the balls of my meet, I tried resting my feet on ice blocks during infusion but I don't think that really helped. I cycle between high T and short term Xtandi, a personalized BAT. 18 years now.
My insurance pays for it. T Cyp is really cheap and it's dispensed by a pharmacy with my med onc's script. T in Gel form is more expensive but insurance pays for it as well.
Ok thanks, by personalised I thought you did it without your onc's involvement. Makes sense now and congrats that it's working so well for you. Do you do monthly on/ off cycles?
I handled 6 rounds of taxotere in 2015. It knocked out my soft tissue issues and I had no long term problems. I'm a cyclist and runner. I did both during treatment.
Thanks louschu, glad it worked well for you. I have no soft tissue involvement, only bone Mets as far as the scans show but maybe doce would help with them too?
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.
5 years journey for QOL 
Night Thoughts
