Finished 8 Rounds of Docetaxel

[MJCA]

Hi Fellow Warriors,

Four weeks ago I finished up 8 rounds of Docetaxel. This year has been a medical shit show: 2 UTIs, pneumonia, Covid, sepsis, sinus infection which became chronic sinusitis, numerous falls with the last fall resulting in a dislocated hip.

The good news! Before starting Docetaxel my PSA was 23.8; after 8 rounds my PSA dropped to 5.7! My MO is giving me a 3 month break. I will get another PSA in 3 months and we will reassess my situation. My MO has already told me my next treatment will be pluvicto. Hopefully I won’t need it for quite a while.

Thanks for reading!

[Tall_Allen]

Maybe a break will allow your nails to grow back 😜

[MJCA in reply to Tall_Allen]

That AND my hair!!

[Woodstock82]

I'm impressed. I had six cycles of docetaxel and was very glad not to have a seventh. Make the most of your recovery time!

[meowlicious99 in reply to Woodstock82]

how do they determine how many cycles to give?

Agreed 8 sounds brutal :/

[MJCA in reply to meowlicious99]

Initially I was told between 8-10 rounds. Based on all my side effects. my MO decided to cease treatment after 8 rounds. Between rounds 6 and 7 my PSA went from 7.3 to 7.0, so I am sure the idea of diminishing returns played into that decision as well.

[Woodstock82 in reply to meowlicious99]

No idea, sorry.

[Hidden]

Way to go. Six rounds probably was brutal. Sounds like you survived. Your shit show. Keep us posted on your progress. We are all rooting for each other. Tom.

[Yzinger]

starting 6 rounds within a month. Not looking forward to it but i have read some positive posts too. I'll report in

[MJCA in reply to Yzinger]

Best of luck.

[Yank66]

Your story is why people call cancer patients warriors! Enjoy your treatment break

[MJCA in reply to Yank66]

Thanks. I have been a warrior for 18+ years 🤦🏻‍♂️.

[carguy]

Sorry you had to go through all that, but congrats on your success with Chemo.

You and I are in the same boat. I finished 10 rounds of Docetaxel in July and PSA went from 3.5 (start of chemo) to 0.1 in August. My MO is getting me ready for Pluvicto; I have a PSMA PET scan next week. I was told the chemo results don’t last long before the next treatment is required, but I will soon find out if my pelvic lymph nodes are behaving.

Best of luck to you!

[MJCA in reply to carguy]

Best of luck to you as well!

[K-xo]

Yay! Congrats. I’ve been following your story and WOW, what a journey. Please know you have a cheerleader in me. Wishing you all the best moving forward. Xo

Ps. You had me at Aruba

[MJCA in reply to K-xo]

Thanks. I appreciate that! I thought Aruba would be awesome. Unfortunately, I took a submarine tour - 3 days later, I tested positive for Covid. I spent 5 days in my hotel room. Glad I had Netflix!

[K-xo in reply to MJCA]

Ugh! Yeah I read that. My hubs recently got Covid while at UCLA hospital undergoing spinal Mets surgery. They held him for 20 days (CDC protocol for immunocompromised) He didn’t have the ocean breeze or Netflix. But like you, he always remains positive. Warriors, infinity! Love your posts & humor. Unknowingly, you help me cope. Thank you! Xo

[MJCA in reply to K-xo]

That really sucks. I flew home with Covid along with an 11 hour layover in Newark. Where in the Southland are you? Original Valley Boy here. Been in the Bay Area close to 40 years.

[K-xo in reply to MJCA]

What?! Haha I was once a valley girl!! Good times. I’ve been mostly on the Westside, but I was just in the valley on Monday. 40 years is a long time. You’re the old school, OG of the valley (lol) but I’m sure it hasn’t changed much. Have you been back to LA?

[MJCA in reply to K-xo]

OMG😉. Two of the best places I know of for PCa treatment down there are either UCLA or City of Hope. One of the preeminent PCa doctors, Mark Scholz, is in Marina del Rey. I also attend a support group for advanced prostate cancer, it’s based in the Westside. The group is hybrid - online and in person. Message me and I can give you some info. After my second round of chemo in April, I was in the Valley for a couple of nights and then stayed at the new Conrad downtown for 4 nights. I played tourist in my hometown!I grew up in Northridge how about yourself?

[K-xo in reply to MJCA]

Running out the door, but I’ll def PM you later or maybe tmrw. Look for it. Xo

[garyjp9]

That has definitely been a shit show for you this year! Hope things will ease off for you now.

[bandgeek]

Congratulations!!! Glad to hear of your results. I'm currently at PSA of 20 and climbing, but scans don't show much perceptible new disease volume. Currently on Lupron and Nubeqa.

Starting a Phase II trial at UCSF next week. Similar concept as Pluvicto. But can participate prior to chemo. Yay. CD46. 3 week cycle of infusions. Will also be doing a new, only at UCSF. CD46 (ZR-DFO-YS5) PET scan trial. Standard of care remains the same for the time being. Wish me luck!

Here's hoping your numbers stay down.

Bradley