Today was another "medical" day......
Linda got word the Oncologist wanted to see her prior to her treatment.....he wanted a blood test done (man...what a "whiz" that was with the "Port"....the "Power Port"....Linda has the POWER!!!!!).....the results came in and Linda scored high on her blood test! So the Oncologist put her on a full dose of chemo and there was no need for the Procrit (for red cell production).
Linda "sailed" through the chemo with flying colors...once again, the Port functioned flawlessly.....this is her last chemo....6 cycles have been completed. Now on the 23rd she gets her scan done and then on the 25th, we meet with the Oncologist for the results.
If the scan shows good results.....which we expect.....then Linda is put on an Avastin maintenance in three week cycles (ie., Avastin on day 1 and then after the 21st day, another infusion of Avastin). Avastin is not a chemo....so the toxic side effects of the chemo should be reduced including hair loss, etc. etc. Remember, if you will, Avastin is there to stop the creation of blood vessel systems to feed the tumor(s).....thereby "starving" the tumor(s).
Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a humanized monoclonal antibody, and was the first commercially available angiogenesis inhibitor. It stops tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels by targeting and inhibiting the function of a natural protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulates new blood vessel formation.
This does have its own side effects: Bevacizumab (Avastin) inhibits the growth of blood vessels, which is part of the body's normal healing and maintenance. The body grows new blood vessels in wound healing, and as collateral circulation around blocked or atherosclerotic blood vessels. One concern is that bevacizumab will interfere with these normal processes, and worsen conditions like coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease. The main side effects are hypertension and heightened risk of bleeding. Bowel perforation has been reported. But, hey, the alternatives are much less desired....so on with the process.
The Oncologist said Linda looked very much different in these past few days.....almost "normal" he said, in look and actions. He asked me what I thought....my direct observation is that Linda has become more concerned with small things around her....things one would focus on if he/she was "normal" .... and I'm not getting away with anything....so, "yes" she is getting "back" to normal...."good news....bad news" (for me at least).
Dave saw the dermatologist today who proceeded to burn away more tissue on the outside of the lip in the area where the surgeon removed tissue on the inside.....I go back in three months to see what all this "stuff" has done for me.....
Linda did some planting in pots on the back patio yesterday....nice looking. We bought more plants today to plant tomorrow (day off from all this medical stuff). We are starting to plan the "Nebraska Trip" as it seems it might happen. (Within a "rough" timeframe, we leave the 28th or 29th of June and meet Linda's brother Marlin and sister in law Joni in Boise. We arrive in Nebraska (Fremont or Lincoln) on the 2nd of July and start home on the 9th or 10th of July, by way of Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park).
Linda got word the Oncologist wanted to see her prior to her treatment.....he wanted a blood test done (man...what a "whiz" that was with the "Port"....the "Power Port"....Linda has the POWER!!!!!).....the results came in and Linda scored high on her blood test! So the Oncologist put her on a full dose of chemo and there was no need for the Procrit (for red cell production).
Linda "sailed" through the chemo with flying colors...once again, the Port functioned flawlessly.....this is her last chemo....6 cycles have been completed. Now on the 23rd she gets her scan done and then on the 25th, we meet with the Oncologist for the results.
If the scan shows good results.....which we expect.....then Linda is put on an Avastin maintenance in three week cycles (ie., Avastin on day 1 and then after the 21st day, another infusion of Avastin). Avastin is not a chemo....so the toxic side effects of the chemo should be reduced including hair loss, etc. etc. Remember, if you will, Avastin is there to stop the creation of blood vessel systems to feed the tumor(s).....thereby "starving" the tumor(s).
Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a humanized monoclonal antibody, and was the first commercially available angiogenesis inhibitor. It stops tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels by targeting and inhibiting the function of a natural protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulates new blood vessel formation.
This does have its own side effects: Bevacizumab (Avastin) inhibits the growth of blood vessels, which is part of the body's normal healing and maintenance. The body grows new blood vessels in wound healing, and as collateral circulation around blocked or atherosclerotic blood vessels. One concern is that bevacizumab will interfere with these normal processes, and worsen conditions like coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease. The main side effects are hypertension and heightened risk of bleeding. Bowel perforation has been reported. But, hey, the alternatives are much less desired....so on with the process.
The Oncologist said Linda looked very much different in these past few days.....almost "normal" he said, in look and actions. He asked me what I thought....my direct observation is that Linda has become more concerned with small things around her....things one would focus on if he/she was "normal" .... and I'm not getting away with anything....so, "yes" she is getting "back" to normal...."good news....bad news" (for me at least).
Dave saw the dermatologist today who proceeded to burn away more tissue on the outside of the lip in the area where the surgeon removed tissue on the inside.....I go back in three months to see what all this "stuff" has done for me.....
Linda did some planting in pots on the back patio yesterday....nice looking. We bought more plants today to plant tomorrow (day off from all this medical stuff). We are starting to plan the "Nebraska Trip" as it seems it might happen. (Within a "rough" timeframe, we leave the 28th or 29th of June and meet Linda's brother Marlin and sister in law Joni in Boise. We arrive in Nebraska (Fremont or Lincoln) on the 2nd of July and start home on the 9th or 10th of July, by way of Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park).
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3 comments:
What a great post to read. I just came home from a wonderful evening seminar about family travel to Africa and was elated to read that you had such a good day also.
I am sorry to read about the lip thing though. TravelGuy seems to have our dermatologist on speed dial so we both sympathize. He had some enormous coring done a few months ago and it's completely healed now so time heals if not all things at least these wounds.
What great news!!! But what else would we expect from both of you. :)
Have an awesome weekend, and just know that you're always close in thought.
Jim and Swee
Gosh, that Nebraska trip sounds pretty good. Think I'll come with you! ;-)
I'm so glad all these blood tests and infusions and such are easier now for Linda, with that port in place. Sounds like it was just the right move. Dave, I hope your lip heals up quickly.
Have a great, relaxing weekend. Love to you both, as always.
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