Avstin

Dear Annes,

I am glad that you decided to go onto this website for support, everyone is great! My mom started her first Avastin infusion this past Wednesday. She has a difficult time with the Neulasta injections side effects. Her side effects from her chemo.  thusfar have'nt really bothered her,however it has only been 2 infusions. Her doctor is monitoring her urine while on the Avastin, to watch for kidney damage/failure. We pray that her side effects from all of this cancer killer won't harm her too badly, and we will pray for you too. I hope you have good luck with everything your on. My mom lost all of her hair after her first dose of chemo. Hopefully a sign that it is working really well. Her oncologist won't give her the CA-125 number so that she doesn't focus on that. I wasn't able to go with her for this last infusion so the next time I will ask him on the side so that I can have an idea. He said the number will always go down with chemo., but will it stay down is the question. I am concerned for her in the fact that she had to have a colostomy when she had her debulking surgery. They waited more than the recommended 28 day recovery time, yet I hope this won't be an issue with her bowel being already compromised. My mom will be 66 ,like you ,on August 23. I pray she will live to be 86!! I constantly hear that your mental outlook is what is going to help cure you. My mom is very positive for 99% of the time. She continues to mow the lawn and babysit her grandkids(because thats what keeps her going). and hope that you keep on truck'in on too. You will beat this monster within!! You will Win!!! God bless you ! Nicole

On 7/9/2009 Scorpion wrote:

Hi!  I was diagnosed as Stage 4 back in '98 - was good until '04, then it came back ..... I'm on my 3rd different combo of chemo which is now Taxol w/Avastin.  My surgeon swears by it and after my oncoligst met w/his team, they agreed on this protocol.  After 5 treatments, my tumor marker dropped 130+ pts - CT scans probably next month.  Yes, my blood pressure went up 20 pts, then dropped again so they are watching me.  May be worth a try if she doesn't have significant other issues w/her bowel that would prevent her from being a good candidate for the treatment.  I would also like to share a holistic, natural therapy called Gerson - I tell everyone because knowledge is power - gerson.org.  My doctors have told me there's no cure for ovarian cancer, it's treated as a chronic illness so eventually, all chemo will stop working.  Gerson is another avenue of hope for people in our position.

My best to you & your mom!!!

Thank you for your info. I will look into Gerson. Thank you for your support!!

On 7/9/2009 Donna Gayle wrote:

Hello Joycesupporter,

I don't know much about Avastin, but I do know about Taxol/Cisplatin which is a little harder than Carbo.  Believe me the two chemos will wipe your mom out.  I'd hate to have her subjected to  more than her body can tolerate.  With my chemo I had so many things appear (like boils, staph ifection, fevers, swelling, etc.) in addition to the day to day nausea, weakness, and misery that goes with chemo, not to  mention the total hair loss which really wasn't that important, but it all adds to a feeling of helplessness and some depression.

I'm sure she is a fighter and will come through all of this Ok.  Keep us informed and good luck.

 Teal Warrier Gayle

Dear Gayle, Thanks for your response! I too worry about the avastin doing more harm to her than she could handle. I often hear that some doctors have said to their patients "It's not the cancer that will kill you it's what the chemo. will do to your body that will." I pray that this(Avastin) will do the trick for her. I realize that ther is no cure for OC. But if there is no hope or faith, what else is there? I hope that things go better for you. My mom is a fighter, as I can see that you are too. Good luck to you too and you are in my thoughts!  I'll keep you posted:) Nicole

Hi,

I have been on Avastin for almost two years now.  I haven't had any problems with that drug and from all the research I have done I think it is a great drug.

 I am a little concerned about your mom's doctor not being as open as you would hope.  I read your first post saying it is too late to change doctors.  It is never too late to change doctors and you really need a doctor you are comfortable with.  If the worst happens you need to know you will get the communication and care you need. 

I changed doctors during my treatment because I just wasn't comfortable with the first one.  In order to do it, I made an appointment with the new doctor while still in treatment.  He agreed to treat me and continue my current plan and the next week I just went to his office instead of the first ones.  I called the first office and told them I wouldnt be coming back. 

I am VERY happy I made that change, even though it was a little scary at the time.

Shelley