Provenge

[Joeym1040]

Will be starting Provenge soon. Seeing doctor to check my veins to see if I can do veins or will need a port. Any advice, suggestions? SE's?Thanks

[MJCA]

The vein assessment is just that - an assessment. There will be a determination if your veins can handle the transfer out of your blood and the transfer back in of your plasma and red blood cells. I did not pass the assessment. I had a port placed. With a port, I was able to move my hands and arms while the process took place.

[Joeym1040 in reply to MJCA]

Thanks. Figured as much. I usually have good veins.

[MJCA in reply to Joeym1040]

Of course!! Your response reminded me of the song by Carly Simon, “You’re So Vain”😉. After 18 years of this disease, I HAVE to keep my sense of humor. If I can answer any questions, please feel free to message me Best of luck!

[Joey40 in reply to MJCA]

It pays to be vain. No port needed! I'll be humming that song throughout treatment!

[MJCA in reply to Joey40]

Best of luck.

[Schwah]

it’s a breeze other than needing to sit still for 3-4 hours. Gotta per in a cup if you can’t hold it. Watch a good series like Breaking Bad and it goes quickly. I had no SEs until treatment three when I got two days of flu symptoms. Not horrible

Schwah

[Joeym1040 in reply to Schwah]

Thanks. I might need a cup! We'll make it work.

[Gl448 in reply to Schwah]

Yikes! My MO just suggested Provenge today. She described the dual arm extraction process and that it took 3 hours, but I didn't even thing about not being able to get up to pee.

[Schwah in reply to Gl448]

It’s not bad as long as you’re mentally prepared. You can’t beat the game by not drinking cause lack of hydration makes the veins worse and makes it go slower. Pick a good tv series to engross you and tell the nurse to help you pee in place. Not a big deal at all.

Schwah

[Joey40 in reply to Schwah]

Thanks.

[Joey40 in reply to Gl448]

At my vien assesment they told me you lay back in the big chair and they cover you with a blanket because it is cold. If you have to pee they have a urinal just like in the hospital or rehab. Also a bedpan if needed. They seem to be on top of things. My first treatment is Oct 17th.

[Joey40 in reply to Gl448]

At my vien assesment they told me you lay back in the big chair and they cover you with a blanket because it is cold. If you have to pee they have a urinal just like in the hospital or rehab. Also a bedpan if needed. They seem to be on top of things. My first treatment is Oct 17th. The nurse told me they had very little activity with Provenge over the last 5 to 10 years, and now all of a sudded they have 7 sheduled the next few months!

[Gl448 in reply to Joey40]

Thanks, peeing in a urinal pan isn't that bad, just the icing on the crap-cake, so to speak. I can deal with it. It's going to be months before we start it if I even get approval for it. It was just brought up yesterday by my MO.

[Joey40 in reply to Gl448]

The nurse at Florida Cancer Center said they have not done Provenge in a while and she was training some new nurses. She said some people from Provenge would also be there. Seems like Provengs is making a comback for some reason.

[Gl448 in reply to Joey40]

That's interesting. What little research I've done in the last 24 hours says it's effective in extending life, but not a miracle cure. I wonder if that's a local pattern or national.

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to Gl448]

Thats how I've seen it and TA also describes it. Life extending. PSA might not even go down but seems to extend life for some.

[Magnus1964]

The worst part of Provenge is that tube sticking out of your chest. So glad to get it out.

[Gl448 in reply to Magnus1964]

I do not intend to get a port. LOL. My veins did pretty good throughout chemo, hoping they can stand a little more abuse.

[Magnus1964 in reply to Gl448]

The port is take your blood put in a centrifuge and extra the white blood cells.

[Gl448 in reply to Magnus1964]

Yeah. I’m aware of what the port is for. Doctor said you can do a port, or one needle in the left arm to extract and one in the right arm to return.

Unless a port significantly speeds up the extraction or infusion process I think it’s not for me if I have a choice.

[Joeym1040 in reply to Gl448]

Sounds right.

[Joeym1040 in reply to Magnus1964]

Conversation was are views good enough to allow necessary procedures or is a port necessary. Fortunately they told me my veins were good so I do not need a port.

[Joeym1040]

Thanks. I assume if I have good veins o will not need that. Fingers crossed.

[Joey40 in reply to Joeym1040]

No port needed. thanks.

[j-o-h-n]

Me 🤜 🤛 You. So you're 83 fighting the beast since 1999 and I'm 87 fighting it since 2002. We've come a long way Baby.....Keep up the good fight (with the Provenge).

You said you're starting "My first treatment is Oct 17th." I think you meant Nov 17th.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/01/2023 4:46 PM DST

[Joeym1040 in reply to j-o-h-n]

John, NO I started Oct 17th. Just had my 2nd extraction yesterday and infusion on Friday. So far so good! We have done OK all this while considering. I think the main thing slowing is OLD AGE! Keep well and keep laughng.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Joeym1040]

My bad.......................I'll just have to sit in a corner and get drunk.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/01/2023 5:13 PM DST