is this the new normal?

[Cateydid]

spent yesterday in the ER again….

My Joe has pneumonia again: this time with a partially collapsed lung. He’s had it now in April, May and June. This time they sent him home with oxygen for 90 days.

When he started chemo in 2017 they said he could get 5 years. He got 3 before he had to start Zytiga. That worked for 2 before he needed chemo again. That has not worked, so he’s on for Pluvicto, starting this month. Wondering what the projected time is on that and what’s next when it no longer works.

Grateful for continued strides being made in the field and hopeful there will be something else down the road.

Leaving tomorrow with his kids and their kids via RV for a week of fun in the sun. Hoping that will boost his spirits. Grabbing good times while we can.

Blessings to all of you as we share this journey.

[Sunlight12]

Cateydid,

I'm so sorry Joe is going through that... has he been given any antibiotics/antimicrobials to help combat the pneumonia?

-Sunlight

[Cateydid in reply to Sunlight12]

yes. IV antibi and a pill in the ER, plus 5 days of another wide spectrum antibi.

Feeling much better today: slept with 2 L O2 all night,

[Sunlight12 in reply to Cateydid]

Oh good - I'm glad he has something to help combat the infection! And I'm even happier that he is feeling better! Sending HUGS and love to you both! ♥️

-Sunlight🌞

[spencoid2]

I can't imagine being on chemo for 5 years. I would expect you would have to be very carful about exposure to pathogens. I got both covid and pneumonia after just four chemo treatments when I let my guard down and went to a few places without a mask. I really thought it was the end but paxlovid and antibiotics got me going again. I have to admit that I have again been somewhat lax since no one is wearing masks now even at medical institutions.

Chemo is over for now so I guess I do not have to worry for a while but I would certainly recommend (as my doctor and staff did to me) to avoid crowds, wear a mask in public and even in close environments with others who might be harboring something. Chemo reduces your immunity and you can catch things that others are handling much better than you will.

And of course do everything you can do to support your immune system. There is a long list of suggestions so you need to pick and choose

And finally, If your doctors are not taking your condition seriously try to find others who are more concerned.

[Cateydid in reply to spencoid2]

Joe wasn’t on chemo for 5 years: they told him if he took 6 doses of chemo in 2017 he might get 5 years. He got about 2 before the PSA started rising again, so they suggested 10 doses of chemo in June 2022. At doses 8 and 9 he got pneumonia. Now he’s on Nubeqa waiting for Pluvicto and got it again.

He wears his mask when in small or enclosed places. He happened to spend a weekend with his grand babies at his farm up North. The hypothesis is that he picked up something from them. Given seeing them and getting sick vs. not seeing them, I know where I’d put my money. He said….again…he should wear a mask around them…

[spencoid2 in reply to Cateydid]

come to think of it i might have gotten pneu and covid when i visited my grand niece and her family. i thought i was being pretty careful elsewhere. probably worth it since i did survive with not much trouble. i keep telling myself to be more careful but chemo is over for a while at least so ???