Guest guest Posted January 5, 2010 Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 I want to thank all of you for your help in the past. I am stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Back on about 10/23/09 my oncologist said I would have to go on Taxotere Chomotherapy. She gave me a choice: 1) Infusion of chemo every 3 weeks which will go on indefinetely. I was told there was a 40% chance of success. I was led to believe the reaction to the chemo would not be too severe. So I had the chemo on 11/6/09; 12/1/09; and the third and last on 12/24/09, that was 12 days ago. The reaction to the last chemo made me sicker than any time in my life. I have been suffering for 12 days. I am completery fatigued. I have to lay down to rest frequently. It is hard for me getting up from a chair. I have a dry, hacking cough, sometimes I get a coughing fit, sometimes I can bring up some phlegm. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good over the counter cough medicine? I don't ever want to go thru this again. Especially every 3 weeks. Life is not worth living, and I prefer death. I am 90% positive I will refuse any further taxotere chemo. The second choice the Oncologist gave me was pill therapy. She said there was only a 20% chance of success with that. I will ask her about going on that treatment. What would be the reaction? Presumeably it would not make me as sick as Taxotere. I'll have to find out. The third issue I want to address is that if I stop all treatments and just go on a program that will keep me comfortable and out of pain what kind of treatments; pills; etc would I be on. I would need a doctor to keep me comfortable, out of pain. I've heard of legalized Marijuana therapy. I don't want to suffer any more. I just want to die in peace. Yours truly, Don Calandrillo Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2010 Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 I have not got there yet, but am not far behind you. I am very familiar with your emotions, shall I shan't I have chemo and the side effects. We do know that the side effects and the level of benefit can vary between patients. My daughters persuaded me to say I'll try it, however my PSA rise has levelled out, and I have started vitmin D3. So far the PSA rise has slowed and I have put off taking the potion. However it might be that your immune system is compromised and you may have another infection which is making things worse (your cough etc, may be a sympyom of this). It might be worth getting this checked and treated before giving up entirely My best wishes and empathy. Chemotherapy I want to thank all of you for your help in the past. I am stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Back on about 10/23/09 my oncologist said I would have to go on Taxotere Chomotherapy. She gave me a choice: 1) Infusion of chemo every 3 weeks which will go on indefinetely. I was told there was a 40% chance of success. I was led to believe the reaction to the chemo would not be too severe. So I had the chemo on 11/6/09; 12/1/09; and the third and last on 12/24/09, that was 12 days ago. The reaction to the last chemo made me sicker than any time in my life. I have been suffering for 12 days. I am completery fatigued. I have to lay down to rest frequently. It is hard for me getting up from a chair. I have a dry, hacking cough, sometimes I get a coughing fit, sometimes I can bring up some phlegm. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good over the counter cough medicine? I don't ever want to go thru this again. Especially every 3 weeks. Life is not worth living, and I prefer death. I am 90% positive I will refuse any further taxotere chemo. The second choice the Oncologist gave me was pill therapy. She said there was only a 20% chance of success with that. I will ask her about going on that treatment. What would be the reaction? Presumeably it would not make me as sick as Taxotere. I'll have to find out. The third issue I want to address is that if I stop all treatments and just go on a program that will keep me comfortable and out of pain what kind of treatments; pills; etc would I be on. I would need a doctor to keep me comfortable, out of pain. I've heard of legalized Marijuana therapy. I don't want to suffer any more. I just want to die in peace. Yours truly, Don Calandrillo Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.125/2600 - Release Date: 01/04/10 19:35:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 Consider trying Taxotere at a lower dose on a weekly basis rather than every three weeks. Lower weekly dosages often have less side effects. There is also some evidence that a slow infusion (one hour or more) can lessen side effects. Here are a few papers on the subject: From: http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/cgi/content/full/9/5/538 “Weekly dosing of docetaxel has been investigated in an effort to reduce toxicity and has been identified as a safe and effective regimen in clinical trials. Weekly docetaxel is generally administered at doses ranging from 30–40 mg/m2/week for 6 of 8 weeks or for 3 of 4 weeks. With weekly dosing, though efficacy is comparable, myelosuppression is substantially less, and the overall tolerability profile is better than with every-3-week dosing. Fatigue is a common toxicity associated with weekly docetaxel; other adverse effects that are seen in a minority of patients include hyperlacrimation, nail toxicity, and alopecia. These side effects are dose related and can generally be managed through dose reductions or alterations in the weekly schedule. Because of the favorable tolerability profile, weekly docetaxel is under investigation in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents and with novel targeted agents in a variety of tumor types. The results of these ongoing studies will further define the place of weekly docetaxel in cancer therapy.” From: http://tinyurl.com/yj9w7d9 “Conclusions: Weekly low-dose docetaxel is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer previously exposed to chemotherapy.” From: http://tinyurl.com/2p4bkx “Fatigue affects about 50% of patients receiving Taxotere. Patients on the q3wk regimen usually report moderate to severe fatigue lasting about a week after each infusion. They usually recover to normal energy levels in time for the next treatment. Patients on the q1wk schedule usually experience a milder degree of fatigue, but of longer duration.” I want to thank all of you for your help in the past. I am stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Back on about 10/23/09 my oncologist said I would have to go on Taxotere Chomotherapy. She gave me a choice: 1) Infusion of chemo every 3 weeks which will go on indefinetely. I was told there was a 40% chance of success. I was led to believe the reaction to the chemo would not be too severe. So I had the chemo on 11/6/09; 12/1/09; and the third and last on 12/24/09, that was 12 days ago. The reaction to the last chemo made me sicker than any time in my life. I have been suffering for 12 days. I am completery fatigued. I have to lay down to rest frequently. It is hard for me getting up from a chair. I have a dry, hacking cough, sometimes I get a coughing fit, sometimes I can bring up some phlegm. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good over the counter cough medicine? I don't ever want to go thru this again. Especially every 3 weeks. Life is not worth living, and I prefer death. I am 90% positive I will refuse any further taxotere chemo. The second choice the Oncologist gave me was pill therapy. She said there was only a 20% chance of success with that. I will ask her about going on that treatment. What would be the reaction? Presumeably it would not make me as sick as Taxotere. I'll have to find out. The third issue I want to address is that if I stop all treatments and just go on a program that will keep me comfortable and out of pain what kind of treatments; pills; etc would I be on. I would need a doctor to keep me comfortable, out of pain. I've heard of legalized Marijuana therapy. I don't want to suffer any more. I just want to die in peace. Yours truly, Don Calandrillo Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. -- T Nowak MA, MSWDirector for Advocacy and Advanced Prostate Cancer Programs, Malecare Inc. Men Fighting Cancer TogetherSurvivor - Thyroid, Recurrent Prostate and Renal Cancers www.advancedprostatecancer.net - A blog about advanced and recurrent prostate cancerwww.malecare.com - information and support about prostate cancer http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/advancedprostatecancer/ - an online support group for men and their families diagnosed with advanced and recurrent prostate cancer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 Don, the chemotherapy may have reduced your white blood cell count (leukopenia) and this can leave you a setup for pneumonia. It can also cause fluid retention putting you at risk for congestive heart failure. Either of these can cause a cough and fatigue. Both of these can be treated. Don't rely on this group for advice. Don't count on a bottle of Robitussin or Vicks. Contact your oncologist to discuss these symptoms at once. I want to thank all of you for your help in the past. I am stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Back on about 10/23/09 my oncologist said I would have to go on Taxotere Chomotherapy. She gave me a choice: 1) Infusion of chemo every 3 weeks which will go on indefinetely. I was told there was a 40% chance of success. I was led to believe the reaction to the chemo would not be too severe. So I had the chemo on 11/6/09; 12/1/09; and the third and last on 12/24/09, that was 12 days ago. The reaction to the last chemo made me sicker than any time in my life. I have been suffering for 12 days. I am completery fatigued. I have to lay down to rest frequently. It is hard for me getting up from a chair. I have a dry, hacking cough, sometimes I get a coughing fit, sometimes I can bring up some phlegm. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good over the counter cough medicine? I don't ever want to go thru this again. Especially every 3 weeks. Life is not worth living, and I prefer death. I am 90% positive I will refuse any further taxotere chemo. The second choice the Oncologist gave me was pill therapy. She said there was only a 20% chance of success with that. I will ask her about going on that treatment. What would be the reaction? Presumeably it would not make me as sick as Taxotere. I'll have to find out. The third issue I want to address is that if I stop all treatments and just go on a program that will keep me comfortable and out of pain what kind of treatments; pills; etc would I be on. I would need a doctor to keep me comfortable, out of pain. I've heard of legalized Marijuana therapy. I don't want to suffer any more. I just want to die in peace. Yours truly, Don Calandrillo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 I am familiar with research in the education arena. I am not in the medical. If I could or we could away to fund a study for f77 antigen in humans or the next step. What would it take in monies and time to do so? Where can I find this out and find willing researchers and etc.? If this I want to live long enough for it to get on the market so they need to start now and even then I may not make it. So I would like can do people to respond and folks who can let know how to remove the road blocks. Are there some web sits for that? Etc... Tom To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Wed, January 6, 2010 4:58:19 PMSubject: Re: Chemotherapy Don, the chemotherapy may have reduced your white blood cell count (leukopenia) and this can leave you a setup for pneumonia. It can also cause fluid retention putting you at risk for congestive heart failure. Either of these can cause a cough and fatigue. Both of these can be treated.Don't rely on this group for advice. Don't count on a bottle of Robitussin or Vicks. Contact your oncologist to discuss these symptoms at once.I want to thank all of you for your help in the past. I am stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Back on about 10/23/09 my oncologist said I would have to go on Taxotere Chomotherapy. She gave me a choice: 1) Infusion of chemo every 3 weeks which will go on indefinetely. I was told there was a 40% chance of success. I was led to believe the reaction to the chemo would not be too severe. So I had the chemo on 11/6/09; 12/1/09; and the third and last on 12/24/09, that was 12 days ago. The reaction to the last chemo made me sicker than any time in my life. I have been suffering for 12 days. I am completery fatigued. I have to lay down to rest frequently. It is hard for me getting up from a chair. I have a dry, hacking cough, sometimes I get a coughing fit, sometimes I can bring up some phlegm. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good over the counter cough medicine? I don't ever want to go thru this again. Especially every 3 weeks. Life is not worth living, and I prefer death. I am 90% positive I will refuse any further taxotere chemo.The second choice the Oncologist gave me was pill therapy. She said there was only a 20% chance of success with that. I will ask her about going on that treatment. What would be the reaction? Presumeably it would not make me as sick as Taxotere. I'll have to find out.The third issue I want to address is that if I stop all treatments and just go on a program that will keep me comfortable and out of pain what kind of treatments; pills; etc would I be on. I would need a doctor to keep me comfortable, out of pain. I've heard of legalized Marijuana therapy. I don't want to suffer any more. I just want to die in peace.Yours truly, Don Calandrillo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Tom Tom, the Chemo does reduce my white blood cells. The Oncologist gives me shots to build them back up. I was into the Oncologist's clinic yesterday. Upon hearing my cough she ordered a chest x-ray (performed in another part of the clinic). Result was lungs clear. However there is a possibility of early heart failure. She said I may have water retention. She prescribed Lasic + (I think) Potassium. I will pick up pills this morning. Only 2 pills of each taken together, today and tomorrow. She said they will drain the water retention. She said see my Cardiologist ASAP. As for the Robitussin, I am off that. I am taking Delsyn 2 teaspoons every 12 hours. Thank you for your excellent reply and comments. Yours truly Don Calandrillo 1/7/10 From: xenophonami <xenophonami>To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Wed, January 6, 2010 4:58:19 PMSubject: Re: Chemotherapy Don, the chemotherapy may have reduced your white blood cell count (leukopenia) and this can leave you a setup for pneumonia. It can also cause fluid retention putting you at risk for congestive heart failure. Either of these can cause a cough and fatigue. Both of these can be treated.Don't rely on this group for advice. Don't count on a bottle of Robitussin or Vicks. Contact your oncologist to discuss these symptoms at once.I want to thank all of you for your help in the past. I am stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Back on about 10/23/09 my oncologist said I would have to go on Taxotere Chomotherapy. She gave me a choice: 1) Infusion of chemo every 3 weeks which will go on indefinetely. I was told there was a 40% chance of success. I was led to believe the reaction to the chemo would not be too severe. So I had the chemo on 11/6/09; 12/1/09; and the third and last on 12/24/09, that was 12 days ago. The reaction to the last chemo made me sicker than any time in my life. I have been suffering for 12 days. I am completery fatigued. I have to lay down to rest frequently. It is hard for me getting up from a chair. I have a dry, hacking cough, sometimes I get a coughing fit, sometimes I can bring up some phlegm. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good over the counter cough medicine? I don't ever want to go thru this again. Especially every 3 weeks. Life is not worth living, and I prefer death. I am 90% positive I will refuse any further taxotere chemo.The second choice the Oncologist gave me was pill therapy. She said there was only a 20% chance of success with that. I will ask her about going on that treatment. What would be the reaction? Presumeably it would not make me as sick as Taxotere. I'll have to find out.The third issue I want to address is that if I stop all treatments and just go on a program that will keep me comfortable and out of pain what kind of treatments; pills; etc would I be on. I would need a doctor to keep me comfortable, out of pain. I've heard of legalized Marijuana therapy. I don't want to suffer any more. I just want to die in peace.Yours truly, Don Calandrillo Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Good to know you are still battling with help Re: Chemotherapy Don, the chemotherapy may have reduced your white blood cell count (leukopenia) and this can leave you a setup for pneumonia. It can also cause fluid retention putting you at risk for congestive heart failure. Either of these can cause a cough and fatigue. Both of these can be treated.Don't rely on this group for advice. Don't count on a bottle of Robitussin or Vicks. Contact your oncologist to discuss these symptoms at once.I want to thank all of you for your help in the past. I am stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Back on about 10/23/09 my oncologist said I would have to go on Taxotere Chomotherapy. She gave me a choice: 1) Infusion of chemo every 3 weeks which will go on indefinetely. I was told there was a 40% chance of success. I was led to believe the reaction to the chemo would not be too severe. So I had the chemo on 11/6/09; 12/1/09; and the third and last on 12/24/09, that was 12 days ago. The reaction to the last chemo made me sicker than any time in my life. I have been suffering for 12 days. I am completery fatigued. I have to lay down to rest frequently. It is hard for me getting up from a chair. I have a dry, hacking cough, sometimes I get a coughing fit, sometimes I can bring up some phlegm. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good over the counter cough medicine? I don't ever want to go thru this again. Especially every 3 weeks. Life is not worth living, and I prefer death. I am 90% positive I will refuse any further taxotere chemo.The second choice the Oncologist gave me was pill therapy. She said there was only a 20% chance of success with that. I will ask her about going on that treatment. What would be the reaction? Presumeably it would not make me as sick as Taxotere. I'll have to find out.The third issue I want to address is that if I stop all treatments and just go on a program that will keep me comfortable and out of pain what kind of treatments; pills; etc would I be on. I would need a doctor to keep me comfortable, out of pain. I've heard of legalized Marijuana therapy. I don't want to suffer any more. I just want to die in peace.Yours truly, Don Calandrillo Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.128/2604 - Release Date: 01/06/10 19:35:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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