19th infusion

foxhd
foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member

No, not my 19th nervous breakdown. That's for rookies. Although I am beginning to think that my tenure in the MDX-1106 study is waning. I think it is safe to say that essentially ALL soft tissue mets are GONE! And there was a **** load of them. Maybe 1 or 2 small hyperdensities which could be anything or nothing. ( I probably swallowed some lego pieces when I was 5).  However, I am having difficulty cleaning out my bones. Last year 2 very painful bone mets healed right up. But now, I continue to have slow growth in a couple mets in my ribs and spine. Even after radiation. One rib has broken and it is constantly clicking and popping. Thankfully it is now painless. I do have another  painful rib(but improving) which shows nothing on my ct scan, so who knows. Anyway, Next scan is in 6 weeks. I've got to think that if the bones keep getting worse, then there will be a change in treatment. Not sure if I become ineligible for mdx due to progression or if just another intervention will take place. Not time to panic yet. I didn't even want to discuss it with my MD as I didn't want to place the thought in her head. I'll admit I expected worse news at my visit but DAMN! I am doing GREAT! (I wrote good but changed it).  Who wouda thunk it?  Hell, my wife had even been practicing grocery shopping for one. She bought a half loaf of bread and a 3 pack of beer! And yes, My sweet doctor gave me a big smile and a hug. Keep the faith Y'all. FLY.

Fox loves you!

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Comments

  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476
    Hi Fox

    Glad to hear you are doing great ,i am hoping maybe your oncologist is maybe able to do some type of combo thearapy,it seems the MDX is working great but maybe using another drug that may target the bone mets .I have a quick question for you ,i am a year and a couple months out from surgery but i still at times get these muscle cramps and or spasms around the surgical area and no their is no pain involvement,was told in the past this is part of the healing process  but hmmm sure has been awhile.O ne more questons for all the other members,i notice when i get worn down later in the day my left eye gets uncomfortable and i get this halo effect at night from street lights automobile lights  and so on,thanks hope the beer tasted good Fox

  • DMike
    DMike Member Posts: 259
    Great News!

    Hi Fox,

    That's GREAT news! (didn't even consider typing good!)  I'm so happy for you. And yeah, I still think you're a badass!

    Keep fighting, David

    ps  That's an orange bracelet in my photo, courtesy of wonderful Alice. I wear it on all my bike rides. It helps me think of all of you. Thanks Alice!

  • alice124
    alice124 Member Posts: 896 Member
    Lucky 19!

    YES! Sounds more like the 19th hole! Couldn't be happier for you Fox. I realize--just dealing with John's shoulder mets--that the medication seems to do less for the bone mets. But as the forerunner and a man of determination, we look for you to lead the way to the next battle once this one is cleaned up. ELF

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    alice124 said:

    Lucky 19!

    YES! Sounds more like the 19th hole! Couldn't be happier for you Fox. I realize--just dealing with John's shoulder mets--that the medication seems to do less for the bone mets. But as the forerunner and a man of determination, we look for you to lead the way to the next battle once this one is cleaned up. ELF

    Stoned

    The moment I read the new topic title, 19th Nervous Breakdown came to mind and I intended to use that as my subject line.  Then I saw you got Stoned first!

    Good thinking not to raise the topic of continuing in the trial - rather, let sleeping dogs lie.

    On the bone mets, as against bisphosphonates, could you maybe get tried out on cabozantinib (brand name Cometriq) which is showing enormous promise? The latest report, a few days ago, from U. Mich. is

    http://advancedprostatecancer.net/?p=3588

    It's a different urological cancer but they're already speculating about its utility in other disease forms.

     

    As Alice just said, "we look for you to lead the way" so just make sure it's in the right direction - it has been so far, so no wonder ELF.

  • alice124
    alice124 Member Posts: 896 Member
    DMike said:

    Great News!

    Hi Fox,

    That's GREAT news! (didn't even consider typing good!)  I'm so happy for you. And yeah, I still think you're a badass!

    Keep fighting, David

    ps  That's an orange bracelet in my photo, courtesy of wonderful Alice. I wear it on all my bike rides. It helps me think of all of you. Thanks Alice!

    New Pic

    Nice Pic - David!

  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647

    Stoned

    The moment I read the new topic title, 19th Nervous Breakdown came to mind and I intended to use that as my subject line.  Then I saw you got Stoned first!

    Good thinking not to raise the topic of continuing in the trial - rather, let sleeping dogs lie.

    On the bone mets, as against bisphosphonates, could you maybe get tried out on cabozantinib (brand name Cometriq) which is showing enormous promise? The latest report, a few days ago, from U. Mich. is

    http://advancedprostatecancer.net/?p=3588

    It's a different urological cancer but they're already speculating about its utility in other disease forms.

     

    As Alice just said, "we look for you to lead the way" so just make sure it's in the right direction - it has been so far, so no wonder ELF.

    19!!!

    Foxy,

    It seems like only yesterday when you joined the club and were only talking about the MDX trial.  MAN-O-MAN, LOOK AT YOU NOW!  New tires on the truck and back buying green bananas.  You are our posted child, our shining star, and you have helped and continue to help so many along the way, a true hero in my book.  Its wierd how something so bad can produce so much good.  I can't wait for your first NED.

    ELY,

    Gary

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    garym said:

    19!!!

    Foxy,

    It seems like only yesterday when you joined the club and were only talking about the MDX trial.  MAN-O-MAN, LOOK AT YOU NOW!  New tires on the truck and back buying green bananas.  You are our posted child, our shining star, and you have helped and continue to help so many along the way, a true hero in my book.  Its wierd how something so bad can produce so much good.  I can't wait for your first NED.

    ELY,

    Gary

    Bone mets

    Foxy, further to my post above, I think you'll find some info in the article per link below of interest and I believe Gary may find it worth reading also, for different reasons.

     

    http://www.onclive.com/publications/Oncology-live/2012/October-2012/A-Man-of-Many-Battles-Genitourinary-Expert-Spurs-Advances-Amid-Challenges

  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647

    Bone mets

    Foxy, further to my post above, I think you'll find some info in the article per link below of interest and I believe Gary may find it worth reading also, for different reasons.

     

    http://www.onclive.com/publications/Oncology-live/2012/October-2012/A-Man-of-Many-Battles-Genitourinary-Expert-Spurs-Advances-Amid-Challenges

    You are correct...

    I did like it very much as I believe that in life everything happens for a reason and that everything works together for good.  Sometimes it can be very difficult to imagine good coming from different, but looking back from what may be years later almost always bears this out.

    Thanks T,

    Gary

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member

    Hi Fox

    Glad to hear you are doing great ,i am hoping maybe your oncologist is maybe able to do some type of combo thearapy,it seems the MDX is working great but maybe using another drug that may target the bone mets .I have a quick question for you ,i am a year and a couple months out from surgery but i still at times get these muscle cramps and or spasms around the surgical area and no their is no pain involvement,was told in the past this is part of the healing process  but hmmm sure has been awhile.O ne more questons for all the other members,i notice when i get worn down later in the day my left eye gets uncomfortable and i get this halo effect at night from street lights automobile lights  and so on,thanks hope the beer tasted good Fox

    muscle cramps

    Limelife, when you cut your hair or nails there is no issue because they are not innervated. However when you insult, damage, or excise tissue that is innervated, your body tries to pull away and withdraw. As when touching a hot stove with your hand. You yank back hard. Well with any invasive procedure, tissue is cut, reflexes are activated and the response is withdrawl. The result is spasm or cramps. Some cases result in extension or pushing away. Until the body identifies this "insult" as no longer a threat it will cause contraction which is cramp or spasm. The trick is to introduce motion, activity and use of the affected area at an easy intensity until  it gets used to it and becomes "normal". You can't do to much no matter what,( except drugs) as you are healing to reduce the spasms. However, at 1 year like you, you can learn to initiate your muscles with easy activity until you regain good reflexive control.Then things will normalize. Rehab is not "Let's work out hard and it will go away." It's learning to do a little at a time and not stimulating the "withdrawl reflex" Hope that is understandable.

    I am also on zometa which is supposed to help the bones. I'm getting it a little less often than most but I'm ok with it. We'll watch for awhile. I'm not going anywhere.

    For your last question, I'll bet you are still not back to what you consider your normal self. Fatigue, and physiology is not back to normal. Many things can happen. Refer back to first paragraph.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    alice124 said:

    Lucky 19!

    YES! Sounds more like the 19th hole! Couldn't be happier for you Fox. I realize--just dealing with John's shoulder mets--that the medication seems to do less for the bone mets. But as the forerunner and a man of determination, we look for you to lead the way to the next battle once this one is cleaned up. ELF

    ELF

    Love you Alice! thanx!

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    garym said:

    19!!!

    Foxy,

    It seems like only yesterday when you joined the club and were only talking about the MDX trial.  MAN-O-MAN, LOOK AT YOU NOW!  New tires on the truck and back buying green bananas.  You are our posted child, our shining star, and you have helped and continue to help so many along the way, a true hero in my book.  Its wierd how something so bad can produce so much good.  I can't wait for your first NED.

    ELY,

    Gary

    Awesome! huh, Gary?

    New tires and green bananas. Funny stuff. But howcome no one laughed at my joke about a half loaf of bread and a 3 pack of beer? I thought that was funny.

    Gary, I don't really think that I will ever be NED. Just not likely. I think I will be doing this for a long time to come. I've learned from other occaisional posters that this is for the long haul. Besides, I don't want to leave this group and join the "Fat fighters forum" or "Dyslexic are us" boards.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    garym said:

    You are correct...

    I did like it very much as I believe that in life everything happens for a reason and that everything works together for good.  Sometimes it can be very difficult to imagine good coming from different, but looking back from what may be years later almost always bears this out.

    Thanks T,

    Gary

    For a reason

    I'm not one to say on a religious level that things happen for a reason, or it is Gods will. But I still do believe in Karma although

    I don't know what that is either.

    Do good, get good. Do bad get bad. That I understand.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member

    Stoned

    The moment I read the new topic title, 19th Nervous Breakdown came to mind and I intended to use that as my subject line.  Then I saw you got Stoned first!

    Good thinking not to raise the topic of continuing in the trial - rather, let sleeping dogs lie.

    On the bone mets, as against bisphosphonates, could you maybe get tried out on cabozantinib (brand name Cometriq) which is showing enormous promise? The latest report, a few days ago, from U. Mich. is

    http://advancedprostatecancer.net/?p=3588

    It's a different urological cancer but they're already speculating about its utility in other disease forms.

     

    As Alice just said, "we look for you to lead the way" so just make sure it's in the right direction - it has been so far, so no wonder ELF.

    everybody must get stoned

     Posted after Tex but didn't appear in the order............ Yep, not ready to push additional treatment plans. It must have been hard for all pioneers or generals to "Stay the course" when things got tough and options presented. At least for awhile, I'm doing nothing new. If I was to be taken off the MDX study, I would want surgery to remove the offensive little buggers as first course of action. As I have said many times, I can heal from anything. Bring it on! Just not yet.

    FLY and thanks for the ELF.

  • tacyarts
    tacyarts Member Posts: 73
    foxhd said:

    ELF

    Love you Alice! thanx!

    Happy

    I'm so happy that you are doing well fox and as usual staying positive which is crucial in the battle. As for me, I am home recooperating from surgury on my leg, I had a prosthetic femor bone inserted and knee and a hip replacement done over the last few weeks but am doing amazing well physically and mentally right now. The cancer in my leg had destroyed 60% of the bone and left me in so much pain that I was ready to scream. I have zero pain right now and am ready to start back on my mdx study on Jan 31 to continue the fight.

  • alice124
    alice124 Member Posts: 896 Member
    tacyarts said:

    Happy

    I'm so happy that you are doing well fox and as usual staying positive which is crucial in the battle. As for me, I am home recooperating from surgury on my leg, I had a prosthetic femor bone inserted and knee and a hip replacement done over the last few weeks but am doing amazing well physically and mentally right now. The cancer in my leg had destroyed 60% of the bone and left me in so much pain that I was ready to scream. I have zero pain right now and am ready to start back on my mdx study on Jan 31 to continue the fight.

    Great news

    Great news Tacyarts. Glad to hear the operation was such a success and you were home for the Christmas holiday with your family. Let's hope it gets nothing but better from here on out. . .

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    alice124 said:

    Great news

    Great news Tacyarts. Glad to hear the operation was such a success and you were home for the Christmas holiday with your family. Let's hope it gets nothing but better from here on out. . .

    Great news indeed

    Also so good to hear that you'll be back on the trial.  You'll need the healing time before resuming but you probably won't have lost much ground meantime.  Has someone managed to keep custom up at the Straycat, tacyartS?

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member

    Great news indeed

    Also so good to hear that you'll be back on the trial.  You'll need the healing time before resuming but you probably won't have lost much ground meantime.  Has someone managed to keep custom up at the Straycat, tacyartS?

    That's Great!

    Sorry about all the pain and surgery tacycarts. But happy you are well and ready to restart your trial. Great attitude! You deserve to do well. Keep it up.

  • tacyarts
    tacyarts Member Posts: 73
    foxhd said:

    That's Great!

    Sorry about all the pain and surgery tacycarts. But happy you are well and ready to restart your trial. Great attitude! You deserve to do well. Keep it up.

    Stray cat

    My wife has managed to keep the restaurant and home and family in line for over 6 months now. I am such a lucky man to have such an able , hard working loving wife.

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    tacyarts said:

    Stray cat

    My wife has managed to keep the restaurant and home and family in line for over 6 months now. I am such a lucky man to have such an able , hard working loving wife.

    Stray cat

    Yes, you are a lucky man to have her and obviously she thinks you're worth it and I'm sure she's right.  Well done her! And well done you - I bet your Family is proud of the way you've handled it all - it must have been unsettling for your kids but they're resilient and will be much re-assured by seeing you coping so well.  Keep it up and have a better 2013 than your 2012.

  • Gordon Charles
    Gordon Charles Member Posts: 91
    Late to the party... again...

    Mr. Fox man Sir:

    I feel stupid saying this, since you are so in touch with the subject but I'm getting Xgeva injectons for my bone mets.  Does that ring any sort of bell for you???? and by the way... Happy New Year.... each one's a blessing!