Tuesday, May 13, 2008 7:28 AM, CDT

Hello all,
Well, my disease is stable. It hasn’t progressed but unfortunately it hasn’t regressed either. Good news/bad news. Everything is exactly the same. Which does not mean the Folfox isn’t working but Dr. Walsh would like me to add the Avastin.
Okay, okay fine, I’ll add the Avastin. As with any drug you take, it comes with side effects. And I’ve told you several times that one of the side effects is the fatal bleeding of the lungs. Apparently I was at risk for that when I had all my cavitary lesions. They’re all gone now so my risk is minimal. Avastin also raises the risk I might have a stroke or a heart attack. And with any young, otherwise healthy person I don’t have any co-morbidities that would leave me at risk for a stroke or heart attack. So again, my risk is minimal.
I’ve agreed to take the drug. Aside from fatal lung bleeding, strokes and heart attacks, the side effects are pretty minimal. J Because I had some blood clots last year at this time, I started injecting myself with Lovenox, a blood thinner. Now, Avastin causes both blood clots and bleeding so Dr. Walsh is going to consult his colleagues to figure out what I should do about my blood thinners. My blood counts will probably plummet because of the Avastin so I’ll need to get shots if my levels dip.
We’ll go another six rounds and have a PET scan then.
I’m bummed yet optimistic. I DON’T want to have another six rounds—I DON’T feel like having the neuropathy. And I DON’T feel like feeling lousy every other week. But I also DON’T feel like dying so I guess I’ll take my side effects and go from there.
Now, how does the Avastin work and why is it so important I take it? From what I understand, it enhances the efficacy of the chemotherapy. It works in a combination of three ways.
Avastin may cause the blood vessels to shrink away from the tumor, blocking the supply of oxygen and nutrients that the tumor needs
Avastin may also cause the existing blood vessels to change in ways that help the chemotherapy reach the tumor more effectively
Finally, Avastin may interfere with the growth of new blood vessels, potentially helping to block further growth and spread of the cancer (Avastin.com)
Pretty interesting stuff. Basically, I’m not sure if they’re not sure how exactly it works (because one and two seem to contradict each other—don’t you think?) or if it works differently on different types of cancer and different tumors. The only thing I know is that Dr. Walsh recommends it (as does Dr. Enzinger, my Dana Farber guy) so it’s time to try it.
I’m scared but at this point I want to kick the heck out of this damn tumor so I’m willing to give it a try.
Dr. Walsh is not bummed out and yes I asked him once again if I’m screwed and he still doesn’t think so. As a matter of fact when I asked him if he would still be saying that when I’m on my death bed, he said, it will be your grandchildren who can answer that question--in about 40 years!
I’m not thrilled about another six rounds but there’s nothing I can do about it. If I start next week and continue without needing to take a break, my last treatment will be on July 21 (the day before my anniversary. How romantic is my fanny pack??? J ). Then my scan will probably be scheduled for the beginning of August. Maybe it will be August 6 (which is Greg AND Lauren’s birthday. Yes she was born on her dad’s birthday) and I’m figuring I’ll get results on or about August 11. That sounds so far away but we all know how quickly the summer goes by.
I have to tell you about a conversation I had with my Katie last week. We were running around trying to get her ready for the bus and she was putting on her shoes while the Today show was on. Willard Scott was wishing people a happy 100 years and Katie stopped what she was doing and focused on the man on the screen who was celebrating his 101st birthday and she said, “Mommy. You can really live to be a hundred years old???” And I said, “Yes, of course you can.” “Do you have to be really lucky to live that long,” she asked. I replied, “Well, I guess you could call it lucky. Do you think you’re lucky?” Katie looked me right in the eyes and said, “I think you’ll be lucky Mom.” She’s an old soul. Greg and I say that all the time. The things she says and how she says them can sometimes send shivers up your spine. This one gave me the chills. I’m not sure I want to live to be 100 but I’ll take being lucky until about 70!!! J
Happy Mother’s Day to all you great moms out there.
Happy Birthday to my Steven who turned 10 on Thursday the 8th.
So we start round seven next week and go from there. Thank you for all your kind words and your posts and your emails. They mean the world to me—they really do. I’ll keep you updated.
Love,
Kim