Friday, August 21, 2009
Avastin is the new drug of choice
Went to Weinberg yesterday and found out that my CA125 went up to 89.3 (up 20.9 points). Dr. Im changed me to Avastin, which is not a chemo but an anti-angiogenic therapy--or a biological as RN Pauline called Avastin. It is supposed to cause the blood vessels to shrink from the cancer tumor, blocking the supply of oxygen and nutrients, and hopefully, causing the tumor to starve. Side effects are possible nosebleeds, high blood pressure, kidney malfunction, reduced white blood cell count which can increase chances of infection. The good news about Avastin is that, unlike chemotherapy which attacks all fast-growing cells whether good or bad, it only works on the blood vessels leading to the tumors. Avastin also doesn't attack hair follicles so I may have hair re-growth. I get it by IV once every three weeks. Then get blood work 10 days after each infusion to check that it's not doing damage to anything it shouldn't. A cancer killer that allows me to have hair, what a wonderful drug! Die, tumors, die! Hope it works.
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