last big one

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AnneBehymer
AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
edited October 2011 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I go in tomorrow for my blood test before chemo to make sure I can get my chemo (which I have never had an issue with) then I have my last chemo of avastian and taxol/carbo. I do think it sucks that I have to go a year and a half to two years on avastian I was so looking forword to no more chemo but if it keeps me in remissions then so be it. I have been in remission for around two months but I find myself sometimes worried that it will come back. Can it come back when you are still in treatment?? I am hoping not since I am having trouble with the taxol and numbness in my feet and hands. My feet have gotten so bad that I some times think I should use the walker I got two years ago because of the kneww problems I was having. Now it has creeped up into my fingers so I am hoping I will never again need the taxol.

Anne

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  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #2
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    Avastin isn't actually a chemotherapu drug, even given IV.
    Avastin is a tumor-starving (or anti-angiogenic) therapy. Avastin is not chemotherapy and works differently. The purpose of Avastin is to block a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. Normal cells produce VEGF, but cancer cells overproduce VEGF. Blocking VEGF may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. Often it is given initially with a chemotherapy drug (like Cytoxin) used a catalyst, and if it is effective for that patient, then given as a maintenance drug. Honestly, when I took Avastin/Cytoxin, I felt like I was on a chemo break. It had NO side effects for me. I had my Avastin infusion on a Wednesday & flew to the Dominican Republic for a vacation 2 days later (getting back in time for my next Avastin infusion. I hope it is an easy easy drug for you, too.
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #3
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    lindaprocopio said:

    Avastin isn't actually a chemotherapu drug, even given IV.
    Avastin is a tumor-starving (or anti-angiogenic) therapy. Avastin is not chemotherapy and works differently. The purpose of Avastin is to block a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. Normal cells produce VEGF, but cancer cells overproduce VEGF. Blocking VEGF may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. Often it is given initially with a chemotherapy drug (like Cytoxin) used a catalyst, and if it is effective for that patient, then given as a maintenance drug. Honestly, when I took Avastin/Cytoxin, I felt like I was on a chemo break. It had NO side effects for me. I had my Avastin infusion on a Wednesday & flew to the Dominican Republic for a vacation 2 days later (getting back in time for my next Avastin infusion. I hope it is an easy easy drug for you, too.

    neuropathy
    i got a tub and put 5 pounds of rice in it, i walk on it 2 times a day, it stimulates the nerves in the feet, and it has helped the numbness
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #4
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    Anne....Avastin almost seems
    Anne....Avastin almost seems to be an either/or proposition - if it works for you, it tends to work really well. It is possible to recur while on Avastin (which, as Linda explained, really isn't treatment because it's not chemotherapy).

    Although the Avastin clinical trials didn't turn out to be the holy grail we all hoped for, Dr Sabbatini at Memorial Sloan-Kettering told me that he has Stage IV patients who swear it has kept them in remission. And after all, nothing succeeds like success.

    If there was a tried and true method for preventing a recurrence, we would all be on it. Unfortunately, there isn't. Not yet. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, there will be.

    Carlene
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #5
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Anne....Avastin almost seems
    Anne....Avastin almost seems to be an either/or proposition - if it works for you, it tends to work really well. It is possible to recur while on Avastin (which, as Linda explained, really isn't treatment because it's not chemotherapy).

    Although the Avastin clinical trials didn't turn out to be the holy grail we all hoped for, Dr Sabbatini at Memorial Sloan-Kettering told me that he has Stage IV patients who swear it has kept them in remission. And after all, nothing succeeds like success.

    If there was a tried and true method for preventing a recurrence, we would all be on it. Unfortunately, there isn't. Not yet. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, there will be.

    Carlene

    last tx
    I am glad you will be off carbo/taxol.. My feet are still very numb from chemo..but my doc said it will get better with time. Hang in there, better days are coming..val
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #6
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    lindaprocopio said:

    Avastin isn't actually a chemotherapu drug, even given IV.
    Avastin is a tumor-starving (or anti-angiogenic) therapy. Avastin is not chemotherapy and works differently. The purpose of Avastin is to block a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. Normal cells produce VEGF, but cancer cells overproduce VEGF. Blocking VEGF may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. Often it is given initially with a chemotherapy drug (like Cytoxin) used a catalyst, and if it is effective for that patient, then given as a maintenance drug. Honestly, when I took Avastin/Cytoxin, I felt like I was on a chemo break. It had NO side effects for me. I had my Avastin infusion on a Wednesday & flew to the Dominican Republic for a vacation 2 days later (getting back in time for my next Avastin infusion. I hope it is an easy easy drug for you, too.

    thanks for the infor I just
    thanks for the infor I just assumed it was a chemo drug because I started on it with my chemo drugs. I am hopping that it goes good for me the only thing I worry about is the bone pain since I am having it now. I hope oncce I am on just the avastin it wont be as bad.


    Anne
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #7
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    azgrandma said:

    neuropathy
    i got a tub and put 5 pounds of rice in it, i walk on it 2 times a day, it stimulates the nerves in the feet, and it has helped the numbness

    wow thanks for the infor
    I would have never thought of it I am not sure if we have something I can use to walk in but I will see if we can find one

    Anne
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #8
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Anne....Avastin almost seems
    Anne....Avastin almost seems to be an either/or proposition - if it works for you, it tends to work really well. It is possible to recur while on Avastin (which, as Linda explained, really isn't treatment because it's not chemotherapy).

    Although the Avastin clinical trials didn't turn out to be the holy grail we all hoped for, Dr Sabbatini at Memorial Sloan-Kettering told me that he has Stage IV patients who swear it has kept them in remission. And after all, nothing succeeds like success.

    If there was a tried and true method for preventing a recurrence, we would all be on it. Unfortunately, there isn't. Not yet. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, there will be.

    Carlene

    thanks I know we all would
    thanks I know we all would be
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #9
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    poopergirl14052 said:

    last tx
    I am glad you will be off carbo/taxol.. My feet are still very numb from chemo..but my doc said it will get better with time. Hang in there, better days are coming..val

    Thanks Val I really hope so
    Thanks Val I really hope so I guess I am just nerves because this is my first remission like every thing with this round of cancer it is new to me. I am not sure what to expect or how long remission is going to last. I did not even know that Avastin was not chemo lol I felt a little dumb when I found that out. Again this is all so new to me I just found out the 4th of June this year and did not know what I was in for. I was really suprised that I hit remission so soon but then again maybe it was not soon who knows. I am glad I found all of my teal sisters here that has helpped a lot.

    Anne
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #10
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    VEGF
    Anne,
    There is a blood test you can have done that measures VEGF in your body. The results will tell you whether this is even an issue for you. If the results show that angiogeneisis is not your issue with cancer, then Avastin is, essentially, a waste of time and money for you, and receiving it can have negative impacts on your body. If your oncologist will not order the test, find a DO or integrative doctor who will.
  • Sunnyjh
    Sunnyjh Member Posts: 31
    #11
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    AnneBehymer said:

    Thanks Val I really hope so
    Thanks Val I really hope so I guess I am just nerves because this is my first remission like every thing with this round of cancer it is new to me. I am not sure what to expect or how long remission is going to last. I did not even know that Avastin was not chemo lol I felt a little dumb when I found that out. Again this is all so new to me I just found out the 4th of June this year and did not know what I was in for. I was really suprised that I hit remission so soon but then again maybe it was not soon who knows. I am glad I found all of my teal sisters here that has helpped a lot.

    Anne

    A good thing
    I have been on avastin since my first reoccurrence. I am on a trial where when I had a reoccurrence last June,they gave me taxol,carbo and avastin for six treatments. Then avastin alone since jan2011. So that's ten months on just avastin. I've had no major problems, which usually high blood pressure, nose bleeds. They increased my blood pressure meds right at the beginning. I do believe it has extended my remission, we will see how long. I am thrilled they have started giving avastin at first occurence. One of the reasons I chose a trial was to help my teal sisters to see if an how much the avastin worked. I feel for me it was a lucky thing to be chosen and can take avastin. Judy

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