Based on our experience...do the chemo. My husband finished 10 rounds of docetaxel in September. A 21 day cycle - so 5 months of chemo. 1-hour infusion every 21 days. Things have changed dramatically, and the side effects are much more manageable than even 2-3 years ago. The anti-nausea drugs that are now standard care really work. Invest in cold-pack mitts and socks to wear when being infused to reduce/eliminate the impact of neuropathy in hands and feet. Drink ONLY cold drinks while getting chemo to reduce/eliminate mouth sores. I kept a spread sheet of side-effects day-by-day, and it turned out to be quite predictable. Day 1 and 2 – on steroids – so lots of energy. Days 3 fatigue sets in, spikes about day 5-6 and is mostly over by day 8-9. But not “go-to-bed” fatigue. “Park yourself with the remote in front of the tv and take a nap in the afternoon” fatigue. In a 21-day cycle, he had about 12-14 days of "relative" normal and 7-8 days of being a permanent fixture in the recliner. But felt okay. It was definitely NOT what we feared and expected and was quite manageable. We were extremely cautious about being exposed to bugs and wore masks when in shopping malls or at theatre, etc. but otherwise maintained a version of normal life and social contact.