tonispets Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 My name is Toni and my husband is Terry. We found out in aug that he has stage 4 lung cancer. Out of the blue. He is 57 and they thought he had pneumonia when we got home frm a camping trip. but turned out is was lung cancer. He has it in both lungs so we had radiation for three weeks. Then he got c-dif infection from antibiotic he had for pneumonia and that held up chemo for a few weeks. Now this week we had our first chemo. Terry has two nodes in his abdomen and some small cells now showing in his liver. The doc added Avastin to his two chemo drugs as it is supposed to benew for lung cancer after having good results with colon cancer. They told us it may add to his life and make him eel a lot better. I was wondering if anyone had this drug and how they did on it. We are fighting the whole way no way willhe give up. They have not given us a time line but we hope to go into a remission for a long time. Any others that have had this please let us know as it is all new to us. The Va hosital has been wonderful to him. they say it was most likely agent orange as he was a paratrooper in Vnam and did three tours jumoing into the jungles. Thanks for taking the time to read this and hopefully we can get some input from others ging thru this. Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Hi Toni.. First of all, glad that you found us, and a very big welcome to this group. So sorry that you are finding yourselves in the biggest fight of your lives! I haven't had Avastin, it is a new drug. I think that there are others here who have had it also. I did remember reading encouraging news about prolonging life when it first came out. It has been studied. I also heard that it can cause colon perferations, but I haven't read about that. (Maybe it was the colon cancer that caused the perfs?) Something to ask the onc., I guess. Treatments are yucky...No doubt. We have many survivors here who will agree. Everyone seems to have their own set of side-effects of treatment. And many times, they will help each other out with something that worked for them that will help for the next guy. Most importantly....you are not alone. We "get it". Either we have lc, know someone who has lc, or a family member with lc, or both... Hope you find what you are looking for here. Again. welcome. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Welcome to the site. There are many members here that have tried Avastin. Good luck to you both...keep up the good attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonispets Posted October 20, 2005 Author Share Posted October 20, 2005 nEW TO THIS i AM TRYING TO LEARN THE TERMS THIS ONE i DONT KNOW YET. tHANKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Toni, Welcome, wish you didn't have to be here. Post how ever you can and ask us any questions you have and we will try and answer them. My sister's name was Toni, so a double welcome to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eppie Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 I have an aunt Toni and a best friend named Toni so Hi Hi hi. Avastin, eh? Sounds very aggressive. good luck to you and Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Toni, Welcome! NED stands for no evidence of disease--what we are all seeking if we don't have it (him) already. My husband has had 3 Avastin treatments along with 2 other chemo. drugs. They are given every 3 weeks. His last scans showed he is stable. This stability comes after several failures. See history in my signature. I believe the Avastin has a lot to do with it. There is a risk of bleeding. They won't give it to squamous type NSCLC because the bleeding rate was pretty high. Don't remember exact percentages. In other NSCLC types the risk is low. We believe it is worth the risk. He really has had no side effects from it other than fatigue, which is common with chemo. treatments. I will add your husband to my prayer list. I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma's kid Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 welcome, Toni Libby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy c Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Toni, my husband had Avastin for several months along with his chemo. It is approved for colon cancer(FDA) but not yet for other cancers. But, Mike's oncologist said many studies were being done and using it decreases or blocks the blood supply to the cancer tumors. So he did give it a try on Mike. However, Mike's cancer was very advanced and his outcome was not positive. Give it all you've got and keep fighting. God bless you and your husband, Nancy C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jang Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Welcome Toni....glad you found us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Toni,welcome to our support family.You will find lots of knowing and caring people here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I am so sorry you two are having to go through this. It's obvious you both have a positive attitude and that is SO important. Welcome to our site. GOD BLESS!!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 what a shock, toni. I am so sorry you guys are going through this but glad you found us! there are definately people here who have experience with avastin. don't hesitate to ask the experts, too. keep the faith, come here as often as you need to. the people here changed my world-view, and definately comtributed positively to my mother's treatment. xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Just want to welcome you Toni. Glad you found us. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Welcome Toni, Glad you found us. Keep us posted. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Hi, Toni, and welcome. Sorry about your hubby. There are many survivors of LC here, so take heart and hang onto the hope. Keep us posted and let us know where we may help. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Hi Toni Welcome here. I have no experience with that particular drug, but as you see people who have will be ansering your post. I just want to welcome you here and let you know you have the best support group on here. I pray this drug works for your husband. Keep us infomed. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceking Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 My friend who has NSCLC, the reason that I am on this board altogether, was approved for Avastin back in July '05. His previous chemos - first, traditional platinum based, and next, Tarceva, did not work. His latest - the "triple threat" Alimta, Gemzar and Avastin has kept evertyhing at bay - in fac, he got to have his first "chemo break". He was so happy! He's feeling great and is very active- hiking, skateboarding, traveling, working and all this with stage 111c NSCLC!!! I am so hopeful about his new treatment. His next scan is mid Nov. I wish you and your husband the best of luck and good health in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Welocme Toni: I have heard good things about avastin. I hope it works its wonders for your husband. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Hi Toni, I would just like to welcome you to our family and let you know that I'm hoping and praying for Terry to have good results from all his treatments. Spend a lot of time reading profiles and searching for information, I think you will find it helpful. Every case of cancer is different, but they all have certain similarities. You will find this group to be very kind , compassionate and willing to help in any way they can. Will look forward to knowing you better. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellen B. Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 Welcome, Toni. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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