Docetaxel and gemzar together. Too much?

[ronton2]

My soon-to-be 77-year-old husband is on a double regimen of chemotherapy. Before starting chemo for advanced prostate cancer, he underwent a PSMA Pet Scan. The scan showed a small node on his left kidney duct. It was decided to give him two infusions, docetaxel for prostate cancer, and gemzar to shrink the duct nodule. He receives docetaxel and gemzar back-to back one week followed by two weeks of only gemzar. A week of rest follows those three weeks. He just completed his fourth cycle of both and has become much more fatigued, has developed a dry cough and has more aches and pains in the lower back. The good news: nodule has reduced significantly and his PSA is continuing to fall, now at 2.3 (from a high of 40). My concern is whether or not he can endure the same regimen for much longer. Any advice, especially from TA, would be appreciated.

[SteveTheJ]

you're concerned about how well he can tolerate it but you haven't said what his reaction has been up until now

[ronton2 in reply to SteveTheJ]

He has experienced most of the side effects of chemo: body rash, dry mouth, lower back pain and fatigue. The last cycle (the 4th) really knocked him for a loop. I wonder if he can continue with this level of fatigue, but his oncologist is not too concerned. I question continuing with two drugs at the same time.

[Margoto in reply to ronton2]

As we age, the treatment is harder on us. Especially if one has other serious health issues. Sometimes you have to put quality of life ahead of longevity. Many things to consider and everyone is different in whether treatment is right for them.