Back for the 3rd time

My wife 37 now has cancer in 4 different lymph nodes.  The highest one being under her collarbone.  She will start chemo July 13th for the 3rd time.  Folfiri is the chemo this time with avastin.  She will continue chemo pretty much for the rest of her life.  She will do chemo every 2 weeks for 3 months at a time with a scan in between.

Does anyone know about this regiment of chemo?  Any advice you can give would be appreciative. 

We have 3 children and need her to be with us for a very long time.

 

 

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about her going back into a new treatment.  My Dad did 13 rounds of FOLFOX with Avastin (oops, sorry...Dad is 54 yrs old) and then it wasn't working anymore (although it did work very well for awhile).  He then went to CPT-11 with Avastin which I think is the same one you're talking about (Folfori and CPT-11 are the same thing if my memory is right).  He does it every Monday for three weeks and a week off.  The side effects have only been somewhat tired and every once and awhile some slight nausea and a mouth sore here and there.  It has been so much easier for him to handle compared to the FOLFOX and Avastin.  He just finished his 9th treatment of the CPT-11 and Avastin and his scans came back clear again.  We know it's still there but it's much much better than it was before.  His CEA is down to a 3.89 and he feels more like himself than he has in a long time.  I hope that things go the same for your wife, I will pray that you do indeed have her for many many many more years.  Please keep us updated.  God Bless and tell your wife to keep her chin up.  Remember to take care of yourself too....sometimes I think this whole thing has been harder for my Mom than anyone so take time for yourself to relax too. 

I wanted to correct something I put on my 1st post...Folfiri is 5FU along with CPT-11 (CPT-11 is also called Irinotecan).  My Dad is only on the CPT-11 (Irinotecan) with Avastin and NOT on the 5FU.  Sorry...just wanted to clarify. 

William,

I have mets to the liver and celiac  lymph nodes.  You are right that this can limit treatment options.  Systemic chemo is pretty much a must I think.  Has anyone discussed the possibilty of radiation to the nodes?  Sometimes it can wipe out the ones that light up.  Just know it can turn into a game of centipede! 

The chemo regimens get easier to handle as the canzer becomes more under control.   Lifetime chemo seems scarier than the reality of it all.  I'm waiting for the new treatments that will come in the future.  I intend to be here to utilize them, so chemo it is. 

Help her to find joy in the small moments.  My only rule is to have fun every.single.day.  No exceptions.  So far this philosophy is working for me.

 

Kimby 

 

I have had Stage IV Colon Cancer for three years now. My treatment was acombination of Folfox and Avastin.....

I was given 12-18 months and have outlived that!!!!! I stopped treatment in February because the over toxicity ( I had constant treatment without interruption) was damaging to the rest of my body.

My Oncologists believe that Avastin has prolonged my life. There is always the issue of quality/quantity. But, I am grateful for my situation.

We are all praying as there is no other known case with these same results, therefore, we don't know what to expect.

My advice to you and your family is constant prayer, love and appreciation. I had to learn to stop WAITING to die, and focus on still being alive.

My thoughts and prayers to you,

Lori