Any tips welcome on how to tolerate chemo

[dadsdrdawn]

As you know, my 88 year old warrior of a father, has battled his cancer HARD for 16 years.

He has been optimistic despite all of this, and has always KNOWN he can beat this. A great attitude to have.

He has declined quite a bit after having a spontaneous fracture of his pelvis 8 weeks ago - after 5 days of radiation to a tumor on his spine. (and at that point being pain free)

He has according to Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, Michigan, exhausted all other options at this point, and they want him to start chemo on Monday as "the last option".

He's been on many meds..and the ones that were suggested here, are not an option according to Karmanos. So he will be treated with Docetaxel.

He is getting around quite well on a walker, despite a lot of weight loss over the years, and a loss of muscle, and some incontinence..

Last week had a virus that turned into a fungus in his mouth that left his mouth so sore , that he didn't eat for two days, slept on the couch all night for the first time ever, was weak and was "ready to be done with this" .

It was by far the worst he's ever been...and my brother was going to fly in from out of town - we thought this could be "it."

He recovered, after 2 days, ate a plate of chicken pie, some cherry pie, drank a mango smoothie that I snuck olive oil and protein powder into and yesterday was out to an art gallery, got new hearing aids...and went to dinner for LOBSTER with my mom - celebrating 67 years of marriage.

Today, he says he wants to start the first round of chemo on Monday.

I am HOPING and praying (although I will honor whatever he decides he must do) that he at least waits 2 weeks, keeps eating, stays hydrated, takes his supplements and goes to bed early to maybe "prepare" himself for chemo.

I feel that the chemo will weaken him, have him not wanting to eat, and even if he is down for only a week, that he'll be too weak to recover since 2 days nearly did him in...

What I am asking for from all of you, ( besides prayers) is for advice on tolerating Docetaxel.

Can he do anything now?

Any tips, tools or things to make it easier to tolerate...

ANYTHING to help us.

Sent with love to you all - and wishing you healing strength and optimism,

Dawn

[JoeBo]

Ice his head, hands and feet during the chemo to prevent neuropathy.

[Cantchoose2]

Docetaxel is known as a less nasty form of chemo. My husband's experience was that infusion day was uneventful, steroid day was great! and the next couple days felt like having a flu. He stayed in bed and I rubbed his feet and brought him anything that sounded good to eat. Not much else that can be done, unfortunately.

I hope it goes well for your dad.

[Bret5]

64 years old. I’m halfway thru 6 docetaxel infusions now. For me the side effects have been minor. Some fatigue. Dry mouth on some days. Get biotene mouthwash and gargle with baking soda and salt water. Appetite is strong especially with prednisone that must be taken daily while on chemo. I take a Benadryl before bed to help me sleep because steroids can interfere with sleep. Some minor tearing of eyes. I continue to play golf 2 -3 times per week and cut the grass. But then I rest and hydrate. Best of luck.

[MJCA]

Why don’t you seek a second opinion from another oncologist? It never hurts to hear another educated opinion. I am on docetaxel currently, unlike the other respondent’s husband, I cannot keep food down, no energy since round 5, so far I have lost 4/10 fingernails (with ice therapy), my balance is shit and my eyes are CONSTANTLY tearing. I am only 63. Every body reacts differently to chemo. I am told these are *normal* side effects. I try to be up and around. I do not lie in bed.

[Concerned-wife in reply to MJCA]

Concerned about you, too. You are So young , been through so much. Thank you for taking the time to share here

[MJCA in reply to Concerned-wife]

Thanks Dawn! That’s sweet of you. I agree that your Dad would be better off taking a 2 week holiday to put on some weight and gain some strength. Please keep us posted.

Mark

[Biobro in reply to MJCA]

Spouse had same effects.

[leebeth]

My brother, now 82, had 5 rounds of docetaxel last summer when he was 81, and tolerated it well. He did ice his hands, feet, and mouth starting 15 minutes prior to infusion and continuing until 15 minutes after completion.

He was then eligible for Pluvicto.

He had no undesirable side effects at all. Best of luck to you!

[Purple-Bike]

Fasting lessens side effects from chemo. At an airport now, can't give details. Search the net.

[AlvinSD]

Here is a link to a post I wrote about docetaxel and what helped me:

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[Bethpage in reply to AlvinSD]

You kindly gave me permission to share months ago. I did so with spouses of patients. Your advice has helped literally thousands of women help their spouses. I appreciate another opportunity to say thank you!

[TMcgee]

No advice, just well wishes for you and your family. Your father is quite the warrior!

[swwags]

He will be tired. Tired, and may have no appetite. You'll want to get him to commit to you that he will fight off the side effects. If he's not hungry, he agrees to eat anyway. Walk every day, twice a day, no matter how little and just add one minute to each walk every day throughout. AlvinSD posted a great link about the neuropathy side effects. have him heed those as well. Get him some ear buds if he doesn't already have them so he can listen to music or podcasts. There are hundreds of podcasts for his generation. It will help pass the time in the chair. Music is better for his mental health though imo.

[chips1942]

Hi, I’m 81 and 4 cycles into Docetaxel. So far my experience has been tiredness particularly during the first week after an infusion. Also Doce lowers resistance to pneumonia & infection, I ended up in the ER with a bacterial infection after my 2nd infusion. A few things not mentioned yet are the oncologist’s recommendations for dosage and timing of treatments, standard dose of the infusion is 75 milligrams per square meter however, my oncologist recommended a dose of 60 milligrams in my situation. Another timing option is a dosage reduced 2 weekly vrs 3 weekly Doce regimen with equivalent oncologic efficacy. Also ask about a Neulasta Onpro injection which stimulates growth of white blood cells to help fight infection. Best.

[VLBIV]

Force him to move. It will stink and he won't be able to move like he did when he was not undergoing chemo, but move, move, move. It doesn't really matter how, but weights in the gym are a satisfying/beneficial part of it. Again, it's not a competition. Do it for yourself (or tell him that).

[j-o-h-n]

88 years old and still fighting those tiny bastards..... I applaud him....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 08/12/2023 10:03 PM DST