avastin approval

My wife has Stage 4 OC and was just approved for Avastin by Blue Cross. We were denied once because BC wanted to use Avastin as a single agent.  Our doctor decided to go ahead and try it as a  single agent. Currently, my wife is on Topetekan and has previously been on Carbo/Taxol and Doxyl. Was diagnosed just over two years ago. Our doctor did what is called a peer to peer conference with BC and it was approved. Haven't started it yet because the written approval wasn't ready. Hope to start Tuesday. She is only 46, so we are praying hard it will do something.

Hi Allen, my prayers to you and your wife.  I haven't had the drugs you speak of, but I pray they will work.. I am 43 and totally feel your pain and frustration.  I am at the mercy of the doc and hospital as I have no insurance, and thank God they have never treated me different. I am on my third recurrence and they are still willing to treat me, even with old bills.

Keep us posted and we are all here to share. Pam

Dear Lisa and Allen,

God Bless you both and may he give you the strength to continue your fight against this horrid invader. My Mom was diagnosed with 3c oc in May of this year. She has been on Taxol/ Carbo. and Avastin since the beginning. She has (knock On wood) been doing well with this combination. She has had good reports thus far> Her CA125 was 3300 pre surgery,370 pre treatment and after her 4th tx. is down to 6.3. Her CT scan shows " marked decrease in her involved lymph nodes" through th grace of God she will continue to do well. I don't know if the Avastin is helping the chemo. or if she's just responding well to the chemo. and would have done so anyways. Either way, we pray that her good response continues. Her 6th and last chemo. will be in Oct. and then she will continue with Avastin for a total of 15 months provided she can tolerate it. She has noticed a change in her vision  which I believe can be a side effect of chemo. too. Her doctor watches her kidney functions and if she has any cardiac complaints. Supposedly the side effects of Avastin are minimal compared to chemo. Make sure you fight for the Avastin with the insurance company( if they suddenly change their mind) . My mom's insurance co. has been VERY good about everything for her. It was her doctor that needed convincing to give it. He made the excuse that my mom's insurance co. wouldn't pay for it. I did the homework and told him they did. Another option I had heard is that the manufacturer of Avastin would help patients with the financial end of things if insurance co. won't pay. Good luck with everything and I pray this works for you!

God Bless! Nicole