Chemotherapy and what to expect

I had ten rounds of chemo, ending last october. The sides effect everyone differently. I had good days and lots of bad ones, but if needed, I would go through it again. You just tell yourself, you can do this. My first two times didn't go well but they changed my set-up and it went good the rest of the times. My psa was 932 and last treatment it was down to 0.02 where it has stayed, continuing on meds. One thing that helped me a great deal, my wife was able to sit with me during the treatment, I felt bad for those that didn't have someone with them. Staff gave us an orientation on what to expect and paper work to read on all possible side effects. I have same situation that you have, although I started the chemo at the beginning of my journey. Just know that you can always ask people on here how they dealt with any sides you may get. AND, when you finish the cycles, I was able to ring the bell, which I was so excited to do. Just know you can do this. Best to you.

I had six cycles in Jan 17, taxotere.

Your oncology team should have an education consult with you and whoever you choose, in my case, my wife. They'll explain the process, checking in, labs, review and approval by the oncologist who checks your labs, the infusion room.. They will also explain the side effects, which in my case, I already knew. I think there are two key questions you want to ask:
During office hours, who didI call with questions.
After office hours, who do I call. Most practices have a "night shift" oncologist on call.
Well, maybe a third, what side effects constituted a need to go to the ER...?
You'll want someone to go with you, sit with you, assist in little things.

They administer a pre-infusion cocktail designed to ward off nausea when they do the infusion. It's not a good idea to be vomiting taxotere up...

The side effects will vary but there are the main ones:
Loss of hair
"chemo mouth," a general loss of taste. My wife would ask what i want for dinner and I would politely respond, it doesn't matter...
Finger and toe nails will discolor.
Fatigue.
Many experience low WBCs, there's a drug for that!

I did not experience neuropathy, neither did i use cold caps for my head, feet and hands. Would the loss of hair and black and blue nails have been different, who knows, worth a try...

I continued to work, exercise and travel throughout the six cycles though with the 4th cycle, the fatigue was pretty severe. THe pre-infusion has steroids so the first 24-72 hours you may experience a boost of feeling wonderful, then, well, you crash for the first 7-10 days and the remaining 14 you "recover."
After the 6th cycle, you recover, hair returns, blood counts come back..

Kevin

Kevin has given you a great summary and the questions to ask about contact information for your oncologist. His post reflects my husband's experience with taxotere perfectly. The only thing I would add is that there is a predictable cycle your body goes through after and between infusions. You will probably be able to predict when you will feel OK and when you won't, so you can plan any day trips or attendance at any events important to you. As Kevin said, the first day or two after the infusion you will feel pretty good due to the steroids they give you to suppress side effects. Then the rest of that week you feel exhausted and not able to enjoy your food due to the "chemo mouth." The second week you start to feel better, and in the third week--right before the next infusion--you feel much better. That third week is when my husband felt like doing things, though not eating so much. Then the cycle starts all over again with the next infusion.

Be sure to ask for Neulasta if your white blood cells tank, or just after each infusion if your insurance will permit it as a preventive measure, because you risk an infection if the white blood cells get too low. My husband was able to get a device called the OnPro stuck onto his upper arm to deliver the Neulasta the day after the infusion, so we didn't have to drive the 1.5 hours back to the cancer center for an injection.

Be sure to have a conference with the oncologist and the infusion nurses in advance, and feel free to ask the infusion nurses at your infusions any questions you have, so they can educate you and the person you have with you about the process.

Good luck to you--the chemo was very effective for my husband so going through the process was worth it in the end.

I received chemo every 3 weeks and firmagon and Xgeva every 4 weeks during treatment. After first two treatments they loaded me up on Benadryl. I had reaction during the first two treatments. They gave me a bell to ring if having problems. Had to ring the bell the first two times, staff come running. I was surrounded by others getting treatment and a whole lot of staff. Yes finding something you can eat is a challenge. Anything that could slide down and protein shakes at times. I want to say, I had a great deal of pain before treatment, that pain went away. I wouldn't hesitate if I have to get chemo again. I use laughter to get bye, so I would wear "loud" shirts for treatment. Before it fell out, my wife dyed purple streaks in my hair, it makes me laugh. I finished the chemo 6 months ago, the problems with the side effects are a distant memory. Best to all.

@cal77, I hope you saw the helpful replies you received from @stevecando54 @lag and @kujhawk1978.

Cal, when do you start chemo? What regimen will you be getting?

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