Now this is curious....

Patrusha
Patrusha Member Posts: 487
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I got my appointment schedule in the mail today for all of my upcoming hospital appointments and treatments, and guess what? It says that when I start chemo tomorrow I am in Arm B of the study and getting Folfox PLUS Avastin. I am certain the onc told me earlier this week that I was put in Arm A and would not be getting the Avastin.

Is that wierd or what? I see the onc before infusion so I'll be sure to ask him. It just boggles me how much of a roller coaster ride this whole cancer thing has been. The road seems to be full of zigs and zags. You're told one thing, then another.

It is simply crazy-making.

Comments

  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
    Patrusha -

    "Administrative" errors occur everywhere - medicine is not exempt! If you end up in the Avastin group it is probably good, but if they correct their "error" (assuming it is an error) and you end up without Avastin, you are still probably fine. Given the Stage 2 diagnosis, both of these "arms" are providing you with more treatment than you would otherwise have received. All the best at your first treatment - no matter what it is! (If you have the Avastin, they usually infuse it over 90 minutes the first time, then 60 minutes if there is no reaction and thereafter over only 30 minutes).

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #3
    Betsydoglover said:

    Patrusha -

    "Administrative" errors occur everywhere - medicine is not exempt! If you end up in the Avastin group it is probably good, but if they correct their "error" (assuming it is an error) and you end up without Avastin, you are still probably fine. Given the Stage 2 diagnosis, both of these "arms" are providing you with more treatment than you would otherwise have received. All the best at your first treatment - no matter what it is! (If you have the Avastin, they usually infuse it over 90 minutes the first time, then 60 minutes if there is no reaction and thereafter over only 30 minutes).

    Take care,
    Betsy

    Yeah, who knows where I'll end up tomorrow, eh? Either way they'll figure it out I guess and then the die will be set. You're right, either Arm would be fine. It just makes me nervous when "administrative" errors are made where my health is concerned. Thanks for the info on the Avastin infusion. That's good to know.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
    Ya know, this is exactly why patients are starting to mark on themselves a "cut here" X so that the doc knows where and what to do.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    On the bright side, sometimes they are thankfully wrong...

    My rectal cancer said that I was to be dead June 05. Unless I missed the e-mail, I think I'm still alive and kickin'.

    Seriously, I WOULD ask before starting...sometimes there is a reason that you may not realize for a change...INCLUDING that the one Arm already had too many candidates...BUT, ABSOLUTELY, ASK!!!!

    Hugs, (from a sickening suzy sunshine)
    Kathi
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #6
    Be sure to ask. I'm curious that they are starting your cycle on a Friday. Mine go two consecutive days and then removal of the pump on the 3rd day.
    ****
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #7
    vinny3 said:

    Be sure to ask. I'm curious that they are starting your cycle on a Friday. Mine go two consecutive days and then removal of the pump on the 3rd day.
    ****

    ****, I asked for Fridays so I wouldn't miss so much work. There is a nuse who comes out on Sunday to unhook me. That's kinda nice...
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #8
    spongebob said:

    Ya know, this is exactly why patients are starting to mark on themselves a "cut here" X so that the doc knows where and what to do.

    Bob, this is sooooo true. I guess the center I'm using knows this... can't tell you how many times they asked me why I was there and to confirm my treatment plan as I understood it and to give them my name and birthdate and check my patient number each and every time they switched chemo. A little tedious, but also reassuring.
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #9
    KathiM said:

    On the bright side, sometimes they are thankfully wrong...

    My rectal cancer said that I was to be dead June 05. Unless I missed the e-mail, I think I'm still alive and kickin'.

    Seriously, I WOULD ask before starting...sometimes there is a reason that you may not realize for a change...INCLUDING that the one Arm already had too many candidates...BUT, ABSOLUTELY, ASK!!!!

    Hugs, (from a sickening suzy sunshine)
    Kathi

    I, too, am thankful they can be wrong, Kathi, or you wouldn't have been around to inspire me! I did ask the doctor, first thing, and it was explained that all of the study folks are slotted for Avastin to make sure they are given extra time in the chemo slot. If they don't wind up with Avastin, it is changed to Folfox 6. That's what happened... no biggie...

Discussion Boards