Hi Gary,
I too am at stage 4 with multiple mets to lungs. Have tried Avastin and it kept things in check for a couple of months but did not shrink anything. I think the docs believe the Avastin will postpone growth but not kill the tumor so most are combining it with chemo to get shrinkage. I am currently on Vectibix which is suppose to kill the tumors. Unfortunately there are side effects, skin rash, fatigue, stomach issues, ect. I am not convinced that Avastin is the miracle drug they are proclaiming. There was an article in the New York Times around July 5th that also says this. My opinion is that if your wife has a small tumor then hit it hard to try to wipe it out with the most effective chemo's available. The Avastin may be helpful if the tumors are large and someone is at end of life, it may give them a couple more months of symptom free life. Check with your doctors on Vectibix and Eurbitux. These newer cancer drugs are designed to kill colon tumors. They are easier on the system than standard chemo's in my opinion. I don't get as sick, vomiting...ect. But do have to deal with an ugly skin rash that will go away with no long term effects afterwards. Something to look into. Good Luck.
Jeff