April 29, 2025 – Chemo Start

 So the first round of chemo started on April 28, 2025.  It is a long time coming due to the time it took for the pathology report and the time to get Medicare approval for the treatment.  Before starting the treatment, the local St. Joseph’s infusion center has an education session to prepare the patient.  Kathe and I listened to the nurse as she started on the list of possible side effects.  Within a few minutes my brain couldn’t handle the huge number of potential side effects so I started to feel faint.  I laid down on the floor, much to the surprise of the nurse and Kathe.  For the rest of the one hour session I was on my back, listening to a how this could cause every side effect known to man and a preparation list that rivaled one to climb Mt. Everest.  I admit that all of this has scared me rather than making me comfortable with the whole process.  I’m sure I will settle down as soon as the infusions start.  That said, this is going to be a real ordeal for the next year or two.

What about the prostate cancer?

There is a risk that both bladder cancer and prostate cancer are active.  If we knew this for sure, the therapy might be the same chemo I had before, but it would be less effective in treating the bladder cancer.  The strategy is to go for the one that is known to be aggressive and monitor everything with frequent CT scans and blood analysis.  The good news is that the PSA is still less and 0.1 so hopefully it is still asleep.

The Infusion

It wasn’t so bad.  All the staff was friendly and competent.  It took a total of 4 hours, not including the doctor visit.  First I got a shot of anti-nausea meds, then Keytruda.  The nurses said it doesn’t cause a reaction.  This was true.  Then a 30 minute wait time and then the PADCEV, which has had reactions.  In my case I didn’t have any reaction except for a stomach ache, which could have been the Rita’s frozen custard Kathe got me.  I should explain that the hospital room has a view of Rita’s below.  We waited 30 minutes and I was released.  Kathe stayed with me the whole time, doing work on her computer.

So far the next day I have not had any reactions except for being a little tired.  I also have small aches and pains which are probably in my head.

I just feel good that we are finally attacking this cancer.  My next appointment is next Monday.  I think it is going to be two weeks on, then one week off, then repeat for 1-2 years.  I will have scans and blood work to monitor progress.

Plumbing Problems

I mentioned being left incontinent, thanks to the surgery.  Well, a related problem is irritation in the groin area.  This is really painful and because it is wet there almost all the time, treating it is very difficult.  This has slowed me down considerably because just walking is painful.  Hopefully the gooey ointment I am using will do the trick.  Sometimes it is the small things in life that can have the most impact.

Until next time…

Les