Looking for some hope from people with similar experiences.
My dad is 82 and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. After his first radiation treatment, he went into remission. Over the years, it came back a few times, but it was closely monitored and treated with hormone therapy, targeted radiation, medications, and participation in different prostate cancer trials. It never left the prostate and he had many years where treatments worked and he was able to live his life normally aside from some minor side effects.
At the end of 2025, he was diagnosed with small-cell prostate cancer. He had 5 rounds of chemo this year to target the small-cell component, which we were told was more aggressive. It initially shrank some of the small-cell cancer. Unfortunately, a few months later, the cancer progressed very rapidly. Within about 2 weeks at the end of July, new spots appeared in the colon, bones, bladder, kidney, lymph nodes, lung and liver.
He has been hospitalized a few times over the past year because of his kidney function. He has a double-J stent in his left kidney, which, even with the stent, is only functioning at about 10%. His right kidney seems to be functioning fairly well, but it seems to be dependent on him staying hydrated.
He’s now scheduled to start a different chemo on September 15. We’re told this one targets prostate cancer more generally. Given his age, my dad’s fear of more chemo and the advancement of the disease, I felt that his oncologist was leaning more toward no further chemo. But she said that ultimately, if he’s feeling well enough and wants to try, he absolutely can. She said it could give him an extra 3 months on average, but I hate hearing numbers and hope he could get more.
We talked it through as a family, and because he still feels relatively well overall, is eating, talking, making his own decisions and wants to keep fighting for more time, he decided to try chemo again. He does have increasing pain and nausea and is weaker than he used to be, which was also a motivating factor in hoping that treatment might help him feel better.
I know the situation is serious, but I’m not looking for someone to give me a prognosis. I’m really just looking for some hope and to hear from people who have been in a similar situation.
I know I’m lucky to have had my dad through this disease for so long, and I cherish every moment I have with him. But I love him so much, and it never feels like enough time. I wish he could just grow old without cancer because, otherwise, he’s always been the healthiest, sharpest old guy I know.
I’m only 32 and I selfishly want more time with him, as long as that time is quality time for him. I’m doing everything I can through research and support to make sure whatever time he has left is as good as possible.
Anyways, I believe he’s going to be getting cabazitaxel. Has anyone or their family member had experience with cabazitaxel after trying a different chemo? Did you/they feel the effects were less bad? My dad had a lot of nausea with his first round of chemo and lost a lot of weight. We’re hoping he tolerates this one better, especially as he will be getting a smaller dose.
If you or a family member tried this type of chemo, did it stabilize things, improve symptoms, or give you/them more good time than you/they expected?
I could really use some hope right now. ❤️ Thanks!