Folfori + Avastin appears to be working

Kathleen808
Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Friends,
I am very aware that we are all feeling the tremendous losses of our friends. I have had a very heavy heart.

I do want to share with you that it appears that the Folfori + Avastin is holding down the cancer. **** had a PET scan yesterday and we picked up the report on our way to his CAT scan. I was feeling sick to my stomach all day and didn't know he was going to read it before going in for his CAT. The PET report says there is " #1 Moderate interval decrease or resolution of hypermetabolism in several small pulmonary nodules suggestive of therapeutic response. #2 No evidence of locoregional recurrence of colon carcinoma or pancreatic neoplasm."

We are quite surprised and relieved. We know **** still has cancer and right now they are saying chemo for life. However, this is the first time since the reoccurrence that the lymph nodes have not lit up. He had his CAT scan today and we know that it picks up things the PET doesn't and it will probably show some lymph nodes that are too large but at least they are not so active that the PET doesn't pick them up. We will get CAT results on Monday and then has Folfori + Avastin on Tuesday. Chemo stinks. We know it. But we know right now it appears to be keeping the cancer in check.

FYI When **** saw Dr. Lenz in March he lowered his dose of Lecovorin and took out the 5 FU Bolis push. He said it would not make a difference in results but that **** would not feel as sick. It is true that he has not felt as sick while on chemo with this mix.

I am thinking of all of you. Especially those who have lost a loved one. I am also thinking about those of you who have gotten bad news this week. I am so very, very sorry.

I hope our news can encourage some out there. I would have come here first if the news had been bad because I know you are here through thick and thin.

Aloha,
Kathleen
«1

Comments

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #2
    Wonderful Kathleen
    Just remember they told me chemo for life, now their talking six months. So happy for you, and so wonderful to get good news after all the sad news.
    Keep the encouragement coming, it couldn't come at a better time.
    Thinking of you and ****,
    Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!!
    Winter Marie
  • tina dasilva
    tina dasilva Member Posts: 641
    #3
    Kathleen
    I'm so happy to hear the chemo is working .
  • jjaj133
    jjaj133 Member Posts: 867 Member
    #4
    I am so happy for you both.
    I am so happy for you both. You're right, it does offer encouragement to all of us. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep the good news coming.
    ((hugs))
    Judy
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #5
    Dear Kathleen
    Thank you for posting and letting us know how **** is doing. It is good to hear that the PET was showing that the treatments are working.

    Yes, it has been a difficult week, and good news doesn't take away from the loses but helps to soften it just a bit, and is always welcome.

    Hugs to you and your family.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #6
    Lovekitties said:

    Dear Kathleen
    Thank you for posting and letting us know how **** is doing. It is good to hear that the PET was showing that the treatments are working.

    Yes, it has been a difficult week, and good news doesn't take away from the loses but helps to soften it just a bit, and is always welcome.

    Hugs to you and your family.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thank you ...There is always a silver lining in all clouds......
    We simply have to look for it...Thank you for the good news and I am sure that the 2 of you are as happy as we are of it...Keep the chin up......aloha.......buzz
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #7
    Good news
    It is good news that no nodes lit up and things are shrinking.

    The "chemo for life" plan is not something we look forward to, but seems to be needed for some of us. Check out Gaelen's reply to me on Colon Club for some ideas that might apply to **** for the future. I'm certainly going to run it by my colon cancer nurse navigator for my case. Modified FOLFIRI for long-term use.
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    #8
    Hey Kathleen
    This is great news. Love to hear it!!! Give **** a high five from me.
    Hope you get great results from the CAT. I'll be waiting to hear.
    Happy Easter.
    Roger
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #9
    Kathleen
    I am so happy to hear of the good news for ****. I hope th chemo keeps working and there is even more good news in the future.
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #10
    Lori-S said:

    Kathleen
    I am so happy to hear of the good news for ****. I hope th chemo keeps working and there is even more good news in the future.

    YAY Kathleen!!!
    That is awesome news!!! Give **** a big hug for me...and here...here's one for you..<<<HUGGGG!!!>>>

    Jennie
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #11
    Kathleen
    This is such wonderful news. I hope you two are celebrating!
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #12
    glad to hear from you
    Hi Kathleen,

    I've been wondering about **** and was actually going to send you a pm asking, so I'm glad to see this post of yours. Yes, chemo stinks, but that is so wonderful that nothing lit up on the PET!

    Keep plugging on & know that I keep your family in prayer.

    Hugs,
    Lisa
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #13
    So happy!
    Thank you for the good news! We've needed it!

    *hugs* to both you and ****!

    Gail
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #14
    some good news
    hi kathleen,
    thanks for sharing some good news.
    hugs to you and ****,
    pete
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #15
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    some good news
    hi kathleen,
    thanks for sharing some good news.
    hugs to you and ****,
    pete

    oh Kathleen
    and **** this is just wonderful news.keep holdin on to buzzards rope and you will be fine...Godbless...johnnybegood
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #16
    Wonderful
    That is wonderful news. Glad to hear that this cocktail is working for him. Hope is always there and glad for his great doctors.

    Kim
  • Erinb
    Erinb Member Posts: 293
    #17
    It is great that the chemo
    It is great that the chemo mix is keeping everything in check. Does your husband still get 5FU or just Avastin and irinotecan? My husband is on Erbitux, Avastin and Irinotecan, but gets a treatment with Erbitux every week. He doesn't get as sick as he did with the 5fu. I hope you continue to have great results for a very,very long time.
    Erin
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #18
    Hi Friends
    Hi Friends,
    Thank you for your love and support. **** is on chemo number #40. Like I mentioned he is doing better on the Folfori + Avastin + Leukovorian (sp??) and no bolus 5 fu push and reduced Leukovorin.

    Erin he is on 5FU (pump)+ irinotecan + Avastin + Leukovorin (reduced) (sp??). It appears to be working.

    Also, he got the CAT scan and it showed no change and the oncologist said that with the PET scan showing shrinking and some gone then it was just left over areas that are no longer active. We are pleased. No new growth and less activity and resolved area on the PET.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #19
    Kathleen808 said:

    Hi Friends
    Hi Friends,
    Thank you for your love and support. **** is on chemo number #40. Like I mentioned he is doing better on the Folfori + Avastin + Leukovorian (sp??) and no bolus 5 fu push and reduced Leukovorin.

    Erin he is on 5FU (pump)+ irinotecan + Avastin + Leukovorin (reduced) (sp??). It appears to be working.

    Also, he got the CAT scan and it showed no change and the oncologist said that with the PET scan showing shrinking and some gone then it was just left over areas that are no longer active. We are pleased. No new growth and less activity and resolved area on the PET.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    I like it!
    I love it!
  • pokismom
    pokismom Member Posts: 153
    #20
    Kathleen808 said:

    Hi Friends
    Hi Friends,
    Thank you for your love and support. **** is on chemo number #40. Like I mentioned he is doing better on the Folfori + Avastin + Leukovorian (sp??) and no bolus 5 fu push and reduced Leukovorin.

    Erin he is on 5FU (pump)+ irinotecan + Avastin + Leukovorin (reduced) (sp??). It appears to be working.

    Also, he got the CAT scan and it showed no change and the oncologist said that with the PET scan showing shrinking and some gone then it was just left over areas that are no longer active. We are pleased. No new growth and less activity and resolved area on the PET.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    Amazing
    Hi Kathleen,
    I am simply amazed at ****'s progress and him being on his 40th chemo! Geez, Im starting Folfiri tomorrow and am just plain scared. This will be my second time on chemo, I did Folfox in 2008, and I am just terrified of reentering the chemo world. Great job!
    Donna
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #21
    pokismom said:

    Amazing
    Hi Kathleen,
    I am simply amazed at ****'s progress and him being on his 40th chemo! Geez, Im starting Folfiri tomorrow and am just plain scared. This will be my second time on chemo, I did Folfox in 2008, and I am just terrified of reentering the chemo world. Great job!
    Donna

    Donna
    Donna,
    I will be thinking of you tomorrow. I know when **** went back on chemo it was very hard psychologically. Now that we are into routine again it is doable. (Easy for me to say).
    **** works very, very hard to get into the best possible shape between chemo treatments. On the day he unhooks or the day after, he is in the gym lifting weights. He works out at least 7 out of his 10 good days. I know I would not be that strong but it is what keeps him going.

    Thinking of you. Hugs,

    Aloha
    Kathleen

Discussion Boards