FOLFOX w/Avistan Treatments

liverpoolgirl
liverpoolgirl Member Posts: 44 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband will be having his 6th treatment this week, he has tolerated it well so far, he has the cold in his hands and his jaws can be very painful. My question is to all you fighting survivors out there, does anyone know if there is a maximum to what is the longest one can stay on this treatment. After 4 treatments he had his CT Scan which showed a 25% shrinkage of all tumors (mets to lungs-inoperable). His onc said that the plan is to keep taking the treatments while they are working until all the tumors have gone. Just wondering as i know everyone is different how long one can take these treatments. Hayes (my husband) will have 2/3 more treatments befoe the next CT Scan to be scheduled early October. Any advise....
thanks for giving me hope, all your posts have helped alot
love
Debbie
aka "The English Chick"

Comments

  • mikew42
    mikew42 Member Posts: 114 Member
    #2
    Debbie,

    I had the FOLFIRI with Avastin for 7 months. 3 weeks on one week off. The Avastin was every other week. Didn't really have any bad side effects. Chemo on Fridays, rest on Saturday and Sunday, back to work Monday's. That is terrific news that the chemo has shrunk the tumors! Mike
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    I'm afraid I don't know what's the maximum time one can stay on. I'm currently on FOLFOX (no Avastin) and the plan is 6 mos total. I'm so delighted to learn that Hayes has had such good results, in terms of tumour shrinkage -- great! Hoping for more good news after the Oct scan.
    Tara
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #4
    taraHK said:

    I'm afraid I don't know what's the maximum time one can stay on. I'm currently on FOLFOX (no Avastin) and the plan is 6 mos total. I'm so delighted to learn that Hayes has had such good results, in terms of tumour shrinkage -- great! Hoping for more good news after the Oct scan.
    Tara

    G'day English babe!! Knowing that Hayes is getting good reports is in itself something that should hopefully please you Debbie. Any improvement has to be good news. I can't help you with the timeline question but I guess as in most chemo's they will monitor Hayes throughout and continue treatment as long as it helps and he is able to cope. Keep yer chin up sweetie..somethings gotta be working..lets all hope it continues that way!huggs, kanga n Jen
  • HisJoy
    HisJoy Member Posts: 113
    #5
    FOLFOX w/ Avastin is generally 12 treatments over a 6-month period. For health reasons, you may have to go to more time between treatments and that will extend the time period. I started mine in Feb. and HOPE to finish by the end of Sept, because my liver isn't liking this treatment AT ALL.

    AFTER the FOLFOX is over, however, the Avastin treatment can continue. My onc says that I will continue every 3 weeks with Avastin for one full year. I had Avastin alone just yesterday, and the fatigue knocked me flat from 4PM yesterday until 9:30 AM today, plus I experienced some pretty stiff nausea. Avastin also gives me an "out of breath" feeling so that it is very difficult to walk any distance or go up and down stairs. Nosebleeds are sometimes an issue, too, and the possibility of blood clots increases with Avastin. I had one blood clot which damaged my spleen, and so now I also have to take coumadin daily.

    Hope this helps! Overall, the FOXFOX with Avastin wasn't so bad - side effects are all manageable, although I will say that the fatigue starts to really get to you after about 9 treatments.

    Bonny Buffington
    HisJoy
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
    I did the FOLFOX with Avastin for 6 months (5 with avastin because it was just approved)I think the 6 months is the norm. I thought the oxyplatin caused the numbness.
    Best
    Phil

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