Freaking out over timeline!!

Okay, after my sister`s second surgey last week her NO gave us a timeline. With treatment between 3 and 4 months...without any treatment between 3-4 weeks. She decided to go with the Avastin protocol (she has no idea of the timeline) Here`s the problem, surgery was the 27th and she`s not seeing her oncologist until the 17th. Isn`t that pushing it big time ???  She is declining by the day. We know that her incision has to heal a bit. Should we push them to start Avastin immediately and we are wondering if she has been lost in the shuffle with the consequences being Death ??

Thanks guys..Marilyn`s sisters  dx 7/28/09

Oh heavens this is awful. But the thing with Avastin is that you CANNOT start it or it will definitely interfere with healing and blood clotting. It's not chemo, as you probably know, it's an anti-angiogenesis drug. They say three weeks here... But you are right that is pushing it. : (

Remember that all estimates are AVERAGE. That is not the same as saying what will happen to any one person.

Terrifying, for sure.

Keep up the LOVING thing... day and night.

xox Sarah

That`s what I was afraid of.....she is so afraid. The first surgery was totally different as you probaly know. The huge push of streoids made her feel fantastic after being ill for months. I think she was expecting the same effect with this surgery. She seems "flat" and feels horrible, the headache is unrelenting. Her NO told her that pooled blood in the tumor cavity would be putting a lot of pressure and cotribute to her headache. He was also concerned about how thin her blood is.

Anyway, thanks Sarah..we hope that Andy is holding firm :)

They started Avastin 8 days after my husband's surgery.  However, his surgery was not a large resection just a large biopsy because the tumor was so invasive.  Try and push up the NO appointment by at least a week also she should have strong pain meds for the headache.  And how about some steroids.  I know they got your sister off them but come on this is supposed to be about quality of life.

Sarah, I have been thinking about you and Andy.

Take care,

Peace in your lives,

JMB

OMG, of course you're freaking out. Those are some hard words to swallow. I had an Avastin/CPT-11 treatment two weeks after my second surgery.

they determined the wound (about 30 stitches long) had healed sufficiently. I had no issus.

I agree with the others, move the appt up and ask the oncologist to schedule the infusion with the infusion center so there's no delay. They can always cancel it if need be.

My heart bleeds for all of you. I know she's had a particularly difficult journey.

Dealing with the medical field with my father I know your feeling.  You have to push for what is right for your sister and don't take no for an answer.  Trying to get my dads Temodar the company told me 2 weeks for shipment.  After hours on the phone I got it in one day.  Don't give up stay strong! God Bless

   I am a cancer patient & am on Avastin & my oncologist has benn adiment that I should noy have ANY invasive surgery for 5 weeks before & after my last Aavastin injection. The risk of internal bleeding is too great. Aavastin is a wonder drug but must be administered in the proper protocal.  

Thanks for the reply. My sister begins her Avastin treatment on the 17th. She is holding strong and hopefully will be healed enough for treatment to begin.

hope that yiu are doing well, Adonna

sister of Marilyn dx 07/28/09

Happy Saturday!  My oncologist pushed back on my Radition and Chemo treatments because my incision did not heal properly (had craniotomy surgery on Sept. 9th). I was concerned that my treatment process had been delayed, however, was told that the treatment process would not be effective until my incision had healed properly. I started radiation (IMRT) and chemo(Temodar) treatments on a consistent basis approx 3 weeks ago and also had an implanted port installed approx. 3 weeks ago to help with Avastin treatments on a bi weekly basis.  If you need addt'l info, please let me know.  The only side effect that I'm experiencing is fatigue, but really have to stay on track with my meds throughout the day.  Diane