Avistin results

[Guest guest]

I have mostly been a lurker lately, but wanted to share some good news. My son

(41, diag. 1/04, colon resection 3/04, 2 liver mets less than 1 cm, 9 of 25

lymph nodes positive, one liver met removed during biopsy) was put on Avistin as

his doctor's first patient with the drug. He gets his treatment 3 weeks on, one

week off. Has had 5 treatments. An MRI on his liver yesterday showed the tumor

has shrunk by 50%! We are ecstatic of course and have a doctor's visit on

Friday to discuss the news.

I don't know if anyone else has had good results with Avistin, but it is doing a

wonderful job so far with my son. Anyone else out there with results from

Avistin?

Griffith

[Guest guest]

You mentioned a PET - our doctor seems to think an MRI shows a clearer picture

of what is happening - the PET Mike had didn't show the size, etc. of the tumor,

just that it was there. Does your doctor consider an MRI?

Re: Avistin results

We will have results by mid to late June.

A PET is scheduled for next week and the CT later in June.

Narice

caregiver to Phil

diagnosed June 19, 2003

Stage 4 with multiple liver mets

July 2003- Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

seek treatment.

We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

September 2003- Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

In late September he has CT showing

significant

reduction of tumor. ;-)

December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some flu

like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin, dry chapped

hands

and occasional nausea

March 2004- Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple liver

mets. Largest being 9 cm

April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

April 21,2004- Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin

AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

4/23 Mouth sores developUsing *magic mouthwash*.

CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

Low red & white counts

Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when I first

saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had to 'scrape you off

the wall.' " :->

5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to 88,000

(normal 150,000. Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

God's blessings to all on this journey!

[Guest guest]

You mentioned a PET - our doctor seems to think an MRI shows a clearer picture

of what is happening - the PET Mike had didn't show the size, etc. of the tumor,

just that it was there. Does your doctor consider an MRI?

Re: Avistin results

We will have results by mid to late June.

A PET is scheduled for next week and the CT later in June.

Narice

caregiver to Phil

diagnosed June 19, 2003

Stage 4 with multiple liver mets

July 2003- Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

seek treatment.

We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

September 2003- Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

In late September he has CT showing

significant

reduction of tumor. ;-)

December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some flu

like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin, dry chapped

hands

and occasional nausea

March 2004- Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple liver

mets. Largest being 9 cm

April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

April 21,2004- Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin

AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

4/23 Mouth sores developUsing *magic mouthwash*.

CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

Low red & white counts

Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when I first

saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had to 'scrape you off

the wall.' " :->

5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to 88,000

(normal 150,000. Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

God's blessings to all on this journey!

[Guest guest]

, That's great news! Has the Doc. suggested a liver re-section to

get rid of the liver mets? I started Avastin 2 weeks ago as my 3rd line off

treatment. I was tested negative for the receptors for Erbitux. Keep us posted

as

we all need to here the good news anyone has. Dale M.

[Guest guest]

, That's great news! Has the Doc. suggested a liver re-section to

get rid of the liver mets? I started Avastin 2 weeks ago as my 3rd line off

treatment. I was tested negative for the receptors for Erbitux. Keep us posted

as

we all need to here the good news anyone has. Dale M.

[Guest guest]

, That's great news! Has the Doc. suggested a liver re-section to

get rid of the liver mets? I started Avastin 2 weeks ago as my 3rd line off

treatment. I was tested negative for the receptors for Erbitux. Keep us posted

as

we all need to here the good news anyone has. Dale M.

[Guest guest]

Kathrine- Thanks so much for sharing the good news. My oncologist

wants me to have a break from oxaliplatin and is hoping to switch me

to Avastin for control, so it is especially nice to hear of good

responses.

Hopefully Nicki's dad will be able to report similar news.

Best wishes to your son for continued sucess.

Kris

In colon_cancer_support , " Griffith "

<k.griffith@h...> wrote:

> I have mostly been a lurker lately, but wanted to share some good

news. My son (41, diag. 1/04, colon resection 3/04, 2 liver mets

less than 1 cm, 9 of 25 lymph nodes positive, one liver met removed

during biopsy) was put on Avistin as his doctor's first patient with

the drug. He gets his treatment 3 weeks on, one week off. Has had 5

treatments. An MRI on his liver yesterday showed the tumor has

shrunk by 50%! We are ecstatic of course and have a doctor's visit

on Friday to discuss the news.

>

> I don't know if anyone else has had good results with Avistin, but

it is doing a wonderful job so far with my son. Anyone else out

there with results from Avistin?

>

>

> Griffith

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kathrine- Thanks so much for sharing the good news. My oncologist

wants me to have a break from oxaliplatin and is hoping to switch me

to Avastin for control, so it is especially nice to hear of good

responses.

Hopefully Nicki's dad will be able to report similar news.

Best wishes to your son for continued sucess.

Kris

In colon_cancer_support , " Griffith "

<k.griffith@h...> wrote:

> I have mostly been a lurker lately, but wanted to share some good

news. My son (41, diag. 1/04, colon resection 3/04, 2 liver mets

less than 1 cm, 9 of 25 lymph nodes positive, one liver met removed

during biopsy) was put on Avistin as his doctor's first patient with

the drug. He gets his treatment 3 weeks on, one week off. Has had 5

treatments. An MRI on his liver yesterday showed the tumor has

shrunk by 50%! We are ecstatic of course and have a doctor's visit

on Friday to discuss the news.

>

> I don't know if anyone else has had good results with Avistin, but

it is doing a wonderful job so far with my son. Anyone else out

there with results from Avistin?

>

>

> Griffith

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is such good news!!

We are hoping for the same when we get Phil's results. Evidently Avastin

really kicks tumor butt!! What a blessing

Narice

[Guest guest]

This is such good news!!

We are hoping for the same when we get Phil's results. Evidently Avastin

really kicks tumor butt!! What a blessing

Narice

[Guest guest]

I don't know if he would but I'll ask this is the first PET in a year He has

only had CT since last July.

Narice

[Guest guest]

I don't know if he would but I'll ask this is the first PET in a year He has

only had CT since last July.

Narice

[Guest guest]

I don't know if he would but I'll ask this is the first PET in a year He has

only had CT since last July.

Narice

[Guest guest]

Narice:

I don't know if this is normal, but when my son was diagnosed with a colonoscopy

they ordered a CT as soon as the biopsy came back positive. The CT showed no

metastasis at all. Then when they went in to resect the colon they decided to

take out the gall bladder at the same time and that is when they found what they

thought were 3 nodes of cancer on the liver (turned out one was not malignant).

The CT had not picked them up because they were under 1 cm in size. The PET

scan showed only one node (one was removed during the biopsy) but it was a poor

image. The MRI showed it with great precision. Which leads me to question why

MRI's aren't in use more often!

My son Mike is a fighter with an incredibly positive attitude. He is absolutely

positive he will be a long term survivor and is focused on a cure. Years ago he

watched as my husband (age 36) died of lung cancer. My husband had an attitude

of acceptance - he never really fought. He was diagnosed and gone in two

months. I have always believed that a positive attitude is 50% of beating this

monster - the chemicals do the rest!

Thanks to you and all who give me the support of this incredible group.

Although I don't post often, I read every post every day. And even though we

are all on the same road, we are all at different junctions - I am just grateful

for the company in this journey.

Peace,

Re: Avistin results

I don't know if he would but I'll ask this is the first PET in a year He has

only had CT since last July.

Narice

[Guest guest]

Narice:

I don't know if this is normal, but when my son was diagnosed with a colonoscopy

they ordered a CT as soon as the biopsy came back positive. The CT showed no

metastasis at all. Then when they went in to resect the colon they decided to

take out the gall bladder at the same time and that is when they found what they

thought were 3 nodes of cancer on the liver (turned out one was not malignant).

The CT had not picked them up because they were under 1 cm in size. The PET

scan showed only one node (one was removed during the biopsy) but it was a poor

image. The MRI showed it with great precision. Which leads me to question why

MRI's aren't in use more often!

My son Mike is a fighter with an incredibly positive attitude. He is absolutely

positive he will be a long term survivor and is focused on a cure. Years ago he

watched as my husband (age 36) died of lung cancer. My husband had an attitude

of acceptance - he never really fought. He was diagnosed and gone in two

months. I have always believed that a positive attitude is 50% of beating this

monster - the chemicals do the rest!

Thanks to you and all who give me the support of this incredible group.

Although I don't post often, I read every post every day. And even though we

are all on the same road, we are all at different junctions - I am just grateful

for the company in this journey.

Peace,

Re: Avistin results

I don't know if he would but I'll ask this is the first PET in a year He has

only had CT since last July.

Narice

[Guest guest]

Dale:

We had all decided (my son and his wife have included me in all doctor's visits,

thankfully, as well as discussions about what treatment, etc.) to follow the

recommendation of the onc and surgeon. When we met with the surgeon he said

that Mike was not yet a candidate because he has no CEA as a marker and he had

not yet been through a round of chemo. Our decision (made w/his onc.) was to go

ahead with the Avistin and at the end of two months have the MRI to see how it

is doing. If the tumor was the same size or larger we would have the resection

or ablation (we had pretty much settled on the resection as the data on the

ablation was skimpy). If it had shrunk or was gone we would continue with the

Avistin and check again in another 2 months. Since he hasn't got any other

marker, this small tumor would be his marker. It is now at about .5 cm, which

is below the limit for a PET to see it, but it can still be seen with an MRI.

So at this point we will probably leave the tumor where it is and continue with

the Avistin. We will know more Friday when we see the onc.

Sorry for the long answer, but I didn't know how to answer any other way!

Peace,

Re: Avistin results

, That's great news! Has the Doc. suggested a liver re-section to

get rid of the liver mets? I started Avastin 2 weeks ago as my 3rd line off

treatment. I was tested negative for the receptors for Erbitux. Keep us posted

as

we all need to here the good news anyone has. Dale M.

[Guest guest]

Dale:

We had all decided (my son and his wife have included me in all doctor's visits,

thankfully, as well as discussions about what treatment, etc.) to follow the

recommendation of the onc and surgeon. When we met with the surgeon he said

that Mike was not yet a candidate because he has no CEA as a marker and he had

not yet been through a round of chemo. Our decision (made w/his onc.) was to go

ahead with the Avistin and at the end of two months have the MRI to see how it

is doing. If the tumor was the same size or larger we would have the resection

or ablation (we had pretty much settled on the resection as the data on the

ablation was skimpy). If it had shrunk or was gone we would continue with the

Avistin and check again in another 2 months. Since he hasn't got any other

marker, this small tumor would be his marker. It is now at about .5 cm, which

is below the limit for a PET to see it, but it can still be seen with an MRI.

So at this point we will probably leave the tumor where it is and continue with

the Avistin. We will know more Friday when we see the onc.

Sorry for the long answer, but I didn't know how to answer any other way!

Peace,

Re: Avistin results

, That's great news! Has the Doc. suggested a liver re-section to

get rid of the liver mets? I started Avastin 2 weeks ago as my 3rd line off

treatment. I was tested negative for the receptors for Erbitux. Keep us posted

as

we all need to here the good news anyone has. Dale M.

[Guest guest]

Dale:

We had all decided (my son and his wife have included me in all doctor's visits,

thankfully, as well as discussions about what treatment, etc.) to follow the

recommendation of the onc and surgeon. When we met with the surgeon he said

that Mike was not yet a candidate because he has no CEA as a marker and he had

not yet been through a round of chemo. Our decision (made w/his onc.) was to go

ahead with the Avistin and at the end of two months have the MRI to see how it

is doing. If the tumor was the same size or larger we would have the resection

or ablation (we had pretty much settled on the resection as the data on the

ablation was skimpy). If it had shrunk or was gone we would continue with the

Avistin and check again in another 2 months. Since he hasn't got any other

marker, this small tumor would be his marker. It is now at about .5 cm, which

is below the limit for a PET to see it, but it can still be seen with an MRI.

So at this point we will probably leave the tumor where it is and continue with

the Avistin. We will know more Friday when we see the onc.

Sorry for the long answer, but I didn't know how to answer any other way!

Peace,

Re: Avistin results

, That's great news! Has the Doc. suggested a liver re-section to

get rid of the liver mets? I started Avastin 2 weeks ago as my 3rd line off

treatment. I was tested negative for the receptors for Erbitux. Keep us posted

as

we all need to here the good news anyone has. Dale M.

[Guest guest]

In our case there is a big old 13 cm tumor in the colon and more in the liver

largest being 9 cm Now while an MRI could pick up more at stage 4 with all

this what more do we need to know?

His lungs are clear and there are no signs of spread beyond the pelvic and

abdominal regions. For now surgery is not an option. Should we get some

reduction in the bigger tumors than I agree more definition is certainly in

order.

I guess I might be saying I already know it's bad I don't know if I want all

the minute details. What reality I get from the current scans is enough

heartbreak. I am praying every day that at the least it gets no worse and that

at

best it is much reduced or that it disappears all together. I really don't want

to borrow more grief. I have all I can take right now.

Does this make sense? Things are fairly good for now I can't bear to go back

to where this all began or to something even worse. I

Is there anyone else that feels this way?

I'd rather find out a little at a time than have a bomb dropped on me all at

once.

I'm really not as strong as many of you think.

Narice

caregiver to Phil

diagnosed June 19, 2003

Stage 4 with multiple liver mets

July 2003-Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

seek treatment.

We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

September 2003-Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

In late September he has CT showing

significant

reduction of tumor. ;-)

December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some flu

like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin, dry chapped

hands

and occasional nausea

March 2004-Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple liver

mets. Largest being 9 cm

April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

April 21, 2004, Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin

AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

April 23 Mouth sores develop using *magic mouthwash*.

CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

Low red & white counts

Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when I first

saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had to 'scrape you off

the wall.' " :->

5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to 88,000

(normal 150,000). Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

God's blessings to all on this journey!

[Guest guest]

In our case there is a big old 13 cm tumor in the colon and more in the liver

largest being 9 cm Now while an MRI could pick up more at stage 4 with all

this what more do we need to know?

His lungs are clear and there are no signs of spread beyond the pelvic and

abdominal regions. For now surgery is not an option. Should we get some

reduction in the bigger tumors than I agree more definition is certainly in

order.

I guess I might be saying I already know it's bad I don't know if I want all

the minute details. What reality I get from the current scans is enough

heartbreak. I am praying every day that at the least it gets no worse and that

at

best it is much reduced or that it disappears all together. I really don't want

to borrow more grief. I have all I can take right now.

Does this make sense? Things are fairly good for now I can't bear to go back

to where this all began or to something even worse. I

Is there anyone else that feels this way?

I'd rather find out a little at a time than have a bomb dropped on me all at

once.

I'm really not as strong as many of you think.

Narice

caregiver to Phil

diagnosed June 19, 2003

Stage 4 with multiple liver mets

July 2003-Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

seek treatment.

We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

September 2003-Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

In late September he has CT showing

significant

reduction of tumor. ;-)

December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some flu

like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin, dry chapped

hands

and occasional nausea

March 2004-Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple liver

mets. Largest being 9 cm

April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

April 21, 2004, Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin

AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

April 23 Mouth sores develop using *magic mouthwash*.

CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

Low red & white counts

Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when I first

saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had to 'scrape you off

the wall.' " :->

5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to 88,000

(normal 150,000). Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

God's blessings to all on this journey!

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

So glad to hear good news for you. My sister has had 5 treatments

of LV/5FU/Oxaliplatin + Avastin. She has shown dramatic improvement

with the treatments. After 3 treatments, her liver, which had been

greatly enlarged, was normal, and her lungs are no longer filling up

with fluid. It's a miracle for us! I wish you all the best and

hope your son's good results continue.

Stacey

>

> I don't know if anyone else has had good results with Avistin, but

it is doing a wonderful job so far with my son. Anyone else out

there with results from Avistin?

>

>

> Griffith

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

So glad to hear good news for you. My sister has had 5 treatments

of LV/5FU/Oxaliplatin + Avastin. She has shown dramatic improvement

with the treatments. After 3 treatments, her liver, which had been

greatly enlarged, was normal, and her lungs are no longer filling up

with fluid. It's a miracle for us! I wish you all the best and

hope your son's good results continue.

Stacey

>

> I don't know if anyone else has had good results with Avistin, but

it is doing a wonderful job so far with my son. Anyone else out

there with results from Avistin?

>

>

> Griffith

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Narice,

I understand completely what you are saying. In our case, with Jeff

not taking any chemo, we really just want to enjoy our time and not

worry about what is happening unless it is causing symptoms and even

then only to keep him as comfortable as possible.

He had a ct scan a couple of weeks ago. His family doc wanted to

know if we wanted to see the report and go over it with him. Jeff

immediately said unless there was something that could cause imminent

death or pain he didn't want to know. We know the monster is

progressing but since he isn't willing to do any further treatments,

why sit around worrying about how it is going about it.

He is still here and so far able to do most things for himself. Just

can't walk very far at all and has alot of pain, but that is mostly

controlled with his meds.

I will be praying for you both and hope things get ALOT better.

Becky Beach

caregiver to Jeff, diag 8/01 recurred 5/03 with liver and abd mets

had 5 treatment 10-03 with cpt11/5fu/leu

quit treatment 11-03

> I guess I might be saying I already know it's bad I don't know if I

want all

> the minute details. What reality I get from the current scans is

enough

> heartbreak. I am praying every day that at the least it gets no

worse and that at

> best it is much reduced or that it disappears all together. I

really don't want

> to borrow more grief. I have all I can take right now.

>

> Does this make sense? Things are fairly good for now I can't bear

to go back

> to where this all began or to something even worse. I

> Is there anyone else that feels this way?

>

> I'd rather find out a little at a time than have a bomb dropped on

me all at

> once.

> I'm really not as strong as many of you think.

>

> Narice

> caregiver to Phil

> diagnosed June 19, 2003

> Stage 4 with multiple liver mets

>

> July 2003-Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

> seek treatment.

> We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

> at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

> 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

> August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

>

> September 2003-Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

> In late September he has CT

showing

> significant

> reduction of tumor. ;-)

> December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some

flu

> like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin,

dry chapped

> hands

> and occasional nausea

> March 2004-Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

> Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple

liver

> mets. Largest being 9 cm

> April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

> April 21, 2004, Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin,

Oxaliplatin

> AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

>

>

>

> April 23 Mouth sores develop using *magic mouthwash*.

>

> CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

> Low red & white counts

> Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when

I first

> saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had

to 'scrape you off

> the wall.' " :->

>

> 5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to

88,000

> (normal 150,000). Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

>

>

> God's blessings to all on this journey!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Narice,

I understand completely what you are saying. In our case, with Jeff

not taking any chemo, we really just want to enjoy our time and not

worry about what is happening unless it is causing symptoms and even

then only to keep him as comfortable as possible.

He had a ct scan a couple of weeks ago. His family doc wanted to

know if we wanted to see the report and go over it with him. Jeff

immediately said unless there was something that could cause imminent

death or pain he didn't want to know. We know the monster is

progressing but since he isn't willing to do any further treatments,

why sit around worrying about how it is going about it.

He is still here and so far able to do most things for himself. Just

can't walk very far at all and has alot of pain, but that is mostly

controlled with his meds.

I will be praying for you both and hope things get ALOT better.

Becky Beach

caregiver to Jeff, diag 8/01 recurred 5/03 with liver and abd mets

had 5 treatment 10-03 with cpt11/5fu/leu

quit treatment 11-03

> I guess I might be saying I already know it's bad I don't know if I

want all

> the minute details. What reality I get from the current scans is

enough

> heartbreak. I am praying every day that at the least it gets no

worse and that at

> best it is much reduced or that it disappears all together. I

really don't want

> to borrow more grief. I have all I can take right now.

>

> Does this make sense? Things are fairly good for now I can't bear

to go back

> to where this all began or to something even worse. I

> Is there anyone else that feels this way?

>

> I'd rather find out a little at a time than have a bomb dropped on

me all at

> once.

> I'm really not as strong as many of you think.

>

> Narice

> caregiver to Phil

> diagnosed June 19, 2003

> Stage 4 with multiple liver mets

>

> July 2003-Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

> seek treatment.

> We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

> at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

> 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

> August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

>

> September 2003-Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

> In late September he has CT

showing

> significant

> reduction of tumor. ;-)

> December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some

flu

> like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin,

dry chapped

> hands

> and occasional nausea

> March 2004-Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

> Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple

liver

> mets. Largest being 9 cm

> April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

> April 21, 2004, Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin,

Oxaliplatin

> AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

>

>

>

> April 23 Mouth sores develop using *magic mouthwash*.

>

> CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

> Low red & white counts

> Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when

I first

> saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had

to 'scrape you off

> the wall.' " :->

>

> 5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to

88,000

> (normal 150,000). Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

>

>

> God's blessings to all on this journey!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Narice,

I understand completely what you are saying. In our case, with Jeff

not taking any chemo, we really just want to enjoy our time and not

worry about what is happening unless it is causing symptoms and even

then only to keep him as comfortable as possible.

He had a ct scan a couple of weeks ago. His family doc wanted to

know if we wanted to see the report and go over it with him. Jeff

immediately said unless there was something that could cause imminent

death or pain he didn't want to know. We know the monster is

progressing but since he isn't willing to do any further treatments,

why sit around worrying about how it is going about it.

He is still here and so far able to do most things for himself. Just

can't walk very far at all and has alot of pain, but that is mostly

controlled with his meds.

I will be praying for you both and hope things get ALOT better.

Becky Beach

caregiver to Jeff, diag 8/01 recurred 5/03 with liver and abd mets

had 5 treatment 10-03 with cpt11/5fu/leu

quit treatment 11-03

> I guess I might be saying I already know it's bad I don't know if I

want all

> the minute details. What reality I get from the current scans is

enough

> heartbreak. I am praying every day that at the least it gets no

worse and that at

> best it is much reduced or that it disappears all together. I

really don't want

> to borrow more grief. I have all I can take right now.

>

> Does this make sense? Things are fairly good for now I can't bear

to go back

> to where this all began or to something even worse. I

> Is there anyone else that feels this way?

>

> I'd rather find out a little at a time than have a bomb dropped on

me all at

> once.

> I'm really not as strong as many of you think.

>

> Narice

> caregiver to Phil

> diagnosed June 19, 2003

> Stage 4 with multiple liver mets

>

> July 2003-Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

> seek treatment.

> We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

> at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

> 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

> August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

>

> September 2003-Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

> In late September he has CT

showing

> significant

> reduction of tumor. ;-)

> December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some

flu

> like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin,

dry chapped

> hands

> and occasional nausea

> March 2004-Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

> Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple

liver

> mets. Largest being 9 cm

> April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

> April 21, 2004, Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin,

Oxaliplatin

> AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

>

>

>

> April 23 Mouth sores develop using *magic mouthwash*.

>

> CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

> Low red & white counts

> Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when

I first

> saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had

to 'scrape you off

> the wall.' " :->

>

> 5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to

88,000

> (normal 150,000). Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

>

>

> God's blessings to all on this journey!

>

>

>

>